Lecture Notes:

A list of lecture dates, topics, and links to PDF versions of my PowerPoint slides can be found at http://www.astro.virginia.edu/class/murphy/astr121/syllabus.html

Text:

Michael A. Seeds, Foundations of Astronomy, 9th Edition, new and used copies are available at the University Bookstore. The text comes bundled with the Starry Night 4.5 planetarium software and access to AceAstronomy and the Virtual Astronomy Laboratories. You also need a ResponseInnovations RF Response Card ("clicker"). You can buy it from the bookstore for $56, or order it online at http://he3s.ttech-store.com for $30+$5 shipping (delivery in 3-5 days). New copies of the textbook include a $10 rebate coupon for the purchase of the RF Response Card from the bookstore. Do not misplace the registration cards for AceAstronomy and the Virtual Astronomy Laboratories.

Grades:

Your grade will be based on 3 quizzes, a final exam, 2 lab exercises, and in class exercises. On a 1000 point scale each is worth:

Quiz 1	150 points	Friday, February 15, 2008
Quiz 2	150 points	Friday, March 21, 2008
Quiz 3	150 points	Friday, April 18, 2008
Exam	250 points	9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2008 (Block 7)
Classroom Exercises	100 points
Constellation Lab	100 points	Maximum grade declines during semester
Telescope Observing Lab	100 points	Maximum grade declines during semester

Each quiz consists of about 20-25 multiple choice questions and 2-3 short answer questions. The final exam is fully comprehensive. It will be approximately twice as long as a quiz and in the same general style.

Grades will be posted on the Instructional Toolkit at http://toolkit.virginia.edu. Your final grade is based on 1000 points with letter grades assigned as follows:

Letter Grade	Point range	Letter Grade	Point Range
A+	970-1000	C	730-769
A	930-969	C-	700-729
A-	900-929	D+	670-699
B+	870-899	D	630-669
B	830-869	D-	600-629
B-	800-829	F	0-599
C+	770-799	Pass	600-1000

 

 

I will send official correspondence via electronic mail. Therefore, you should immediately activate your U. Va. e-mail account if you have not already done so. If you use a mail service other than the University's, be sure to have your University mail forwarded to it. You will be responsible for reading all materials sent via electronic mail.

Attendance Policy:

It is in your best interest to attend class regularly. During most classes you will be asked to answer a number of questions using the RF Response Card. Credit will only be given for answers completed during class. You must attend the scheduled quizzes and the final exam. See me at least two lectures before an exam if you have a conflict. Makeup exams are given only at the discretion of the instructor.

You must turn off your cell phone before class begins.

Honor Code:

As a graduate of the University of Virginia, I take the honor code very seriously. I assume that all exams and labs are bound by your honor to be your own work, even if you did not explicitly sign the pledge. In class you will, at times, be asked to work in groups. In these cases, I expect everyone in the group to contribute to the answer. I would consider it an honor violation if you submit a groups' answer but did not contribute to the discussion. If you are not sure what is allowed ask me to clarify.

Laboratories:

You will be required to complete two labs this semester, the Constellation Lab and the Telescope Observing Lab.

Constellation Lab:

This lab consists of learning the names and locations of the brightest stars and constellations, completing a worksheet, and passing a short quiz. The lab can be completed in a single night and you may repeat it until you pass. The lab is graded pass/fail and the number of points that you receive depends on the date that you complete the lab:

Dates	Maximum possible grade
Jan 22 - Feb 14	100
Feb 18 - Feb 28	100
Mar 10 - Mar 20	80
Mar 24 - Apr 3	70
Apr 7- Apr 17	60
Apr 21 - Apr 29	40

 

You should complete the Constellation Lab as early as possible in the semester since the number of points that you receive will decline as the semester progresses; the lab gets very crowded as deadlines approach and you run the risk of being clouded out. There will be absolutely no exceptions to this schedule. You must sign up for an observing session in advance. See the Lab Information page for more details. Follow these links to get copies of the star maps for February, March, and April. You can also get very good star maps at SkyMaps.com and Heavens-Above.

 

Telescope Observing:

In this lab you will attend a single observing session at the Leander McCormick Observatory and sketch at least three objects as seen through the telescopes. See the Lab Information page for dates and times. You must sign up for an observing session in advance. The lab will also be graded pass/fail. The number of points that you receive for passing the lab depends on the date that you complete the lab:

Dates	Maximum possible grade
Jan 28 - Feb 28	100
Mar 10 - Apr 3	80
Apr 7- Apr 28	60

 

Classroom exercises:

During most classes, I will ask you to respond to a number of questions using the RF Response Card. I will use your responses to gauge the overall comprehension of the subject, to clear up any misunderstandings, and to steer the discussion in the direction that most interests students. You will receive 2 points for a correct answer and 1 point for an incorrect answer. Once you have earned 100 points, you will not earn any additional credit. I do not allow students to make up missed questions. You may not use another student's RF Response Card to answer questions for them. Answering questions for another student, whether they are present or absent, is a violation of the honor code.

Additional Help:

I strongly encourage you to take advantage of my office hours. I am always happy to meet with you to discuss the material and answer questions. If the posted hours (Monday,Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.) do not work for you because of a class, please schedule an appointment with me for another time. On cloudy evenings, when the night lab is closed, the teaching assistants are also available.

Last modified Thursday, February 14, 2008 4:10 PM
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