TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS:
(subject to revision)
Part I: Developing Perspective (ch. 1 - 3)
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Jan. 17 - Feb. 2
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Part II: Concepts for Astronomy (ch. 4 - 6)
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Feb. 7 - Feb. 21
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Part III: Other Worlds (ch. 7, 8, 12, & 13)
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Feb. 28 - Mar. 9
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Part V: Stellar Alchemy (ch. 14 - 18)
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Mar. 21 - Apr. 6
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Part VI: Galaxies & Beyond (ch. 19 - 23)
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Apr. 11 - Apr. 27
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Special Topic to be determined
(If time permits)
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May 2
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COURSEWORK AND GRADING: Course grades are based on a point system. There are no
quotas for "A's" or "B's." Grades will be based solely on your own performance. Detailed records will
be kept, updated, and accessible online at on eGradebook. The semester grade will be determined
on the following basis:
Hour exams - (60%). Multiple choice format (machine-graded). Three hour exams, counting
20% each.
Exam 1: ch. 1-5 (skipping S1)
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Thurs., Feb. 23
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Exam 2: ch. 6-8 and 12-15
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Thurs., Apr. 6
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Exam 3: ch. 16-23
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Thurs., May 4 (the last class day)
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***Important Note: I do not give make-ups for missed exams, even for valid reasons
such as documented illness or personal emergencies. Instead, a student who misses an exam - or
would like an extra chance to improve her or his semester grade - must take the comprehensive final
exam (see below) for the other 20% of the grade. The final can also replace a previous low exam score.
Short quizzes - (20%). About 5 or 6 essay-format short quizzes (partial class period).
The best 4 quiz scores will be counted, with each counting for 5%. There are no make-ups for missed
quizzes, since at least one quiz is dropped.
Homework & Participation - (20%). Earned in and outside class, in various ways:
- Homeworks: assigned roughly weekly, count up to 2% per assignment. Late papers will not be
accepted for credit. However, you can compensate for credit lost due to incorrect answers or missed
homework in other ways.
- In-class activities on index cards, usually 1% per activity.
- Attendance at Star Parties on Fri., Sat., some Wed. evenings (more info at
http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/public/viewing.html),
2% if you turn in a signed, official form. A maximum of two Star Parties can be counted.
- If appropriate events are available, the instructor may announce additional opportunities to earn
credit based on written reports about special lectures or TV programs. (These will be available to everyone,
not just to one student.)
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