Astronomy 103L
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS
Spring 1998
Classroom: RLM 13.132, 471-3306
|
INSTRUCTORS |
|
Joe Wang: |
RLM 13.126, 471-3308
|
|
Eric Zink: |
RLM 16.212, 471-8443 |
COURSE ACTIVITIES AND
ASTRONOMICAL INFORMATION PAGE
SECTIONS
You may come to this class any time the lab is open.
| Unique | Day
| Time | Instructor
|
| 42980 | Monday
| 7:00-9:00 | Robinson
|
| 42985 | Tuesday
| 7:00-9:00 | Robinson
|
| 42990 | Wednesday
| 7:00-9:00 | Scalo
|
| 42995 | Thursday
| 7:00-9:00 | Winget
|
OFFICE HOURS
Office hours for Eric are TTh 1:00-2:00. Office hours for Joe are W 2:00-3:00.
You can always call or e-mail for an appointment.
E-Mail: joe@astro.as.utexas.edu for Joe
or zink@astro.as.utexas.edu for Eric.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to provide hands-on experience in
the techniques of astronomy for non-science majors.
We hope to introduce you to the excitement of understanding
the physical world around us.
PREREQUISITES AND COREQUISITES
The bulletin lists AST 301 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
You cannot receive credit for both AST 103L and AST 302 or 303.
MATERIALS AND TEXT
-
Modern Astronomy: An Activities Approach,
Hemenway and Robbins, Revised Edition
-
two small notebooks or two folders with looseleaf (no torn-out
notebook pages)
-
meterstick or yardstick, compass (for drawing circles),
protractor (optional)
CLASS FORMAT AND GRADING
Be aware that this class has a different approach than most courses
at UT. This is an observationally oriented self-paced
course with no formal lectures. All work will consist of pass/fail
activities for you to complete. You will have three chances to
turn in each activity you attempt.
After you have completed the required activity that you
must complete to pass this class, you may select up to three additional
activities. Your grade will be determined by the number of activities
you successfully complete.
| Grade | Activities Completed
|
| A | required activity + 3 additional activities
|
| B | required activity + 2 additional activities
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| C | required activity + 1 additional activities
|
| D/Pass | required activity only
|
Pace yourself so that you will be able to reach your goal with
time to spare. There will be NO INCOMPLETES.
HELP SESSIONS
During class for the first three weeks of the semester we will hold help
sessions on the required activity. You need to attend these help sessions.
Other help sessions can be held by request later in the semester.
DEADLINES AND OTHER DATES
Final deadlines are in bold face print. There will be no
exceptions to these deadlines;
part of the course is being organized so that you can meet
the deadlines.
| Date | Event
|
| Tuesday, January 20 | Classes Start
|
| First Three Weeks | Help Sessions
|
| Friday, April 3 | First Attempt at Required Activity Due
|
| Friday, May 1 | First Attempt at all Activities Due
|
| Friday, May 8 | Final Attempt at all Activities Due
|
| Last Day of Classes |
LAB EQUIPMENT
We will supply the equipment needed for your observations:
5" Celestron telescopes, binoculars, lenses, mirrors, cameras,
film, and developing chemicals.
Because some of the activities cannot be completed during
lab time, you may check out binoculars and cameras for
a short time. You are responsible for the
equipment you check out.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
All lab work, data, graphs, answers to questions, and written
summaries must be your own. You may work with others only under
the conditions described below.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
Science is a social effort. You may work on an activity with
other students under the following conditions:
-
You clearly indicate your partners' name(s) at the
beginning of your activity.
-
Each partner contributes to all sets of observations.
-
You distribute the work fairly.
-
Everyone writes his or her own summary.
-
Everyone turns in his or her own notebook.
LAB SUPERVISOR
If you have a problem you cannot work out with your T.A.,
contact Dr. Robert Robbins in RLM 13.136 (471-7312).
COURSE EVALUATIONS
When you turn in the last activity you plan to complete,
please fill out a course evaluation.