http://www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/shildreth/astronomy/a20syllsp12.html
Astronomy 20: Stars, Galaxies & the Universe
Chabot College, Spring 2012
Scott Hildreth
- "Come, and I shall tell the beginnings of
the sun, and the sources from which have sprung
- all the things we now behold..." - Empedocles
Key Websites for our class!
-
Astronomy 20 Home Page:
http://www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/shildreth/astronomy/astro20.html
including all the homework assignments, handouts, and links to lectures
-
Astro 20 Tuesday - Thursday Course HW/Quiz Calendar:
http://www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/shildreth/astronomy/a20calendarsp12.html
with all the due dates for the class
-
Mastering Astronomy:
http://www.masteringastronomy.com
for our online homework and reading quizzes, and some wonderful tutorials
and visual resources.
Our course ID is at Mastering Astronomy is CHABOTASTRO20MONWEDSPRING2012
-
Blackboard: http://clpccd.blackboard.com
for our discussion forums
Temporary UserIDs: If you are trying to add, or
forget your ID, you can use the following to access our class discussion board
at Blackboard, and the Mastering Astronomy site. Note that no credit will be given for any quizzes or
tutorials attempted using this ID.
For Access to the Mastering Astronomy: userid:
chabotastro20,
password: astro20student
For Access to Blackboard:
userid: chabotastro20, password: astrostudent
Contacting Me!
I will check email multiple times every day, and I recommend this as the
best way to reach me! However, you MUST include a clear SUBJECT message
in your email, and your name, to ensure that your email will not be treated
as "SPAM" and automatically deleted. I will check my voicemail messages
periodically, but not daily. If you have an urgent need, and cannot get to email, leave
me a voicemail message but do not expect an answer back the same day.
If you have any questions about this class, if you need help during the term
with the material, or if you have any learning disabilities or need special
accommodations for our course, please contact me immediately so that we can
discuss possible arrangements.
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Course Goals
Astronomy 20 is a course about our universe, and about science, offered
on-campus, with lectures twice a week in Chabot's wonderful
planetarium where you can ask questions, view additional resources, and learn
about the stars and constellations in the nighttime skies. Our course starts
with information about our sky, shared by everyone on the planet, and discusses
natural astronomical phenomena that affect us or are visible from Earth. We'll
talk about the phases of the Moon, the reason for seasons, eclipses, tides;
we'll also discuss light and telescopes. From there, we will move to objects
beyond our solar system, concentrating on stars, black holes, galaxies, and
cosmology - the study of the formation and evolution of our universe.
In parallel with observing and describing objects, we will be learning how
science works, and who does science. I hope to help you gain an
appreciation for just how many things in our lives today are related to the
science of astronomy.
Graduation/Transfer Credit: 3 semester units of physical science that
meets GE requirements for Associates Degrees, and transfers to UC, CSU, and most
other four-year universities. A 1-unit companion lab, Astro 30, may
be taken concurrently or subsequently, which satisfies science laboratory
transfer requirements to UC and CSU.
Prerequisites: None. No Mathematics on exams or homework.
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Required Texts
& Materials:
1. Textbook
The
preferred textbook for our course is Bennett's The Essential Cosmic
Perspective
6th.edition
(2012) with Mastering Astronomy, from Addison Wesley-Benjamin Cummings
(ISBN-13: 978-0-321-71536-4.) The latest is available
directly from the publisher (~$143 including shipping as of
1/10/12) or from
the Chabot College Bookstore.
Note that at the publisher's website, you also have the option to purchase a
loose-leaf binder version (0-321-77546-5) with Mastering Astronomy as well for
about $86 (which can't be resold to the bookstore). You can purchase an ebook
instead of the paper version at reduced cost at
www.masteringastronomy.com,
so that you can get the bundled price of about $78 (as of
January, 2012) for both the e-text and Mastering Astro access code.
IF YOU PURCHASE THE BOOK NEW in the bookstore or
online,
you will receive the required Mastering Astronomy online access code (PIN)
included.
If you purchase a used book online, an older edition, or borrow a book, you will still need the
online Blackboard/Mastering Astronomy PIN code for this 6th edition text, which you can purchase
separately from the publisher online for $42.90 at
http://www.masteringastronomy.com
.
The
5th edition text (ISBN: 9780321566942) is still available
directly from the publisher (~$126 including shipping as of 6/1/11),
or even the 4th edition text is also acceptable (ISBN: 0-805-39392-7) but you'll
need to get a Mastering Astronomy access code for the 6th edition book. I will
have at least two copies of the older edition textbooks available on reserve
in the Chabot College library for overnight access. Note you'll still need
your own Mastering Astronomy access code!
You may sell the book back to the bookstore if you decide not to stay in the
class for full price (if in original condition with receipt) during the first
two weeks of class, or for a reduced rate at the end of the semester.
2) Mastering Astronomy
Mastering Astronomy Access PIN code for the 6th edition of The Essential Cosmic
Perspective, included IF you purchase a new book in the Chabot
Bookstore, or, available for about $42.90 online from the publisher if you
purchase a used book or have a different book from a friend, previous class, or
other source. The code is also available online bundled with the textbook
from the publisher, or bundled with a e-text book for about $78.
Our Mastering Astronomy Course ID is "CHABOTASTRO20MONWEDSPRING2012".
You'll need to enter this course ID (just once) when you register at Mastering Astronomy to
select our class and get credit for your work.
3) A Star Locator
I strongly suggest that you also purchase ONE "Star & Planet Locator", also known as a "Planisphere".
Although we don't have access to the planetarium in our online class to help
you learn stars and constellations, I still recommend that you go outside to
look at the sky as much as possible. We'll also be discussing what is in
the sky during the term, and the star locator will help! You have
numerous options for purchasing a star locator, or you can opt to use free ones
online. But either way, you WILL need to find something to use for the
first homework! Choose whatever one is most convenient and affordable for you.
(You can use free online versions, but they are not at all as convenient!)
Edmund
Scientific (preferred); paper, approximately $5.25, available from the
Chabot College Bookstore and Edmund Scientific (800-728-6999) and online at
www.scientificsonline.com;
stock# CR30092-27, in Astronomy - Celestial Models and Guides.
- Miller Planisphere; plastic, 10", SD-302, approximately $12.95,
available from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (800) 335-2624 and
online at from the store directed by the ASP, at
http://www.astrosociety.org/index.html;
in Observing Aids.
- Orion Star Target Planisphere; plastic and light cardboard, 10",
approximately $11, available from Orion Telescope & Binoculars (800-447-1001)
and online at
www.telescope.com;
stock# 04110 in Planispheres.
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Assignments There are four types of performance assessments in our class. Your
overall class grade depends on which you decide to do, and how well you
accomplish each.
- 7 Written Homework/Discussion Assignments & In-class participation
quizzes and activities ~ 25% of grade
Homework and participation in class is required. Assignments are submitted at the
start of class on the day they are due; if you are absent, you can submit them
online in Blackboard. You cannot pass the class without doing these
assignments and participating in class. Late work receives substantially
reduced credit.
- 17 Online homework/tutorial assignments (One may be missed, or the
lowest will be dropped) ~ 25 % of grade
These are available 24x7 at Mastering Astronomy, and are wonderful.
Students have shared in the last 10 years that the online tutorials are the
best resource that helped them succeed in the class. Late submissions
will automatically receive reduced credit.
- 14 Quizzes, typically ~15-20 multiple choice questions
each (One may be missed or the lowest will be dropped) ~ 20% of grade
There will be 1 syllabus and 13 online reading quizzes covering the
chapters of our textbook. The reading quizzes are offered online through
Mastering Astronomy . You will be able to access the quizzes 24/7, and use your
book and notes; they are not timed. Quizzes will be available online for
at least a week. Quizzes taken after the deadline
will lose credit Quizzes taken more than 7 days late will receive no
credit.
- Midterm and Final Exams (Attendance required, no make-ups offered without
prior agreement) ~30% of grade
These are a combination of objective questions from the lectures and
reading, and short essay questions, with a selection of questions available
to answer. The essay questions area available online,
and we will review each during the term. The final exam will include a
30-minute constellation quiz as well as the objective and short-answer essay questions.
There are also two ways to enhance your grade in our class.
-Active Participation Bonus ~ 5%
In all your interactions in our class, whether on-campus or on-line, you are
expected to participate respectfully and collegially. Please refer to the Chabot
College Catalog for general expectations of student conduct in our course. I expect all online participation and discussion postings to be constructive
and respectful, just as though you were in an on-campus class. Flaming others
in our class, posting inappropriate materials or links, or other non-collegial
behavior will not be tolerated, and you will be removed from the class. Please
review your rights and responsibilities as students in the current version of the
Chabot
College Catalog and Student Handbook.
- Extra Credit ~10% (towards homework grade only - it will not make up for
missing or failing exams, or not attending or participating).
There will be numerous opportunities for extra credit to help your homework
and quiz grades. One of the most important sources of extra credit are
exercises at Mastering Astronomy. There also will be numerous options on the homework assignments
(online papers, research projects, answering textbook questions, trying quizzes)
to fit your style of learning best. And check out
the hints for your success!
Grading
I would like to help you earn whatever mark you would like to receive. The
class grades are not curved; you aren't competing against one another for a
pre-set, limited number of "A", "B", or passing grades. Historically overall percentages of 90% and higher earn
an A, 75% - 90% earn a B, and about 60% - 75% earn a C. If you put in the effort,
and participate actively in class, you should do well. Missing class,
and continually missing online quiz or tutorial due dates will certainly hurt your grade.
To earn an "A" grade in our class, you'll have to use Mastering
Astronomy, submit the reading quizzes and short online homework tutorials, and
do the on-campus homework assignments and exams - completing all of these
elements with an overall average of around 90% or better.
To earn a "B" grade in our class, you'll have to use Mastering
Astronomy, and submit either the online reading quizzes, or the
online homework and tutorials, as well as the on-campus homework assignments and
exams - completing each of these elements with an overall average of around 85%
or better.
If you opt not to use the Mastering Astronomy system, you can still
possibly pass the class with a "C" grade, or pass the class taking it
with the P/NP option, but you will have to do fairly well on
the other two elements of the course. You will have to earn at least a "B"
on the written homework/discussion areas, and at least a "B" on the written
exams and constellation quiz. I do not recommend this approach to our
course, because the Mastering Astronomy resources have been proven to help
students learn the course material even more effectively than just reading the
book or attending lecture alone. But if you only need the units, and are
OK with a "C" or a "Pass" (where you get the units, and can satisfy transfer
requirements for the class, but don't contribute any grade points to your GPA),
this is absolutely acceptable.
If you do not have online access at home, and cannot make time to use
computers at campus, you can still possibly earn as much as a "B" grade -
but you'll have to earn very good to excellent marks on all written
homework/discussion assignments, actively participate in class, earn at least a
"B" on the written exams, and do "B" work on the quizzes, which you can take on
paper. Please see me early in the term to discuss this option, and see what combination of
assessments will work best for you and your situation.
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Exams
Exams will include multiple choice/objective questions from the book and
online reading quizzes, as well as short essay questions, addressing material from the text
and homework. You'll be able to skip one of the essay questions on
each exam. Essay Exam questions are available
online for your review. Please bring an "essay form scantron" to each exam,
available in our bookstore.
Please Note:
- The midterm exam is designed to take 75 minutes; and the final exam 120
minutes, including the constellation quiz. If you arrive late, you'll have only
the remaining time in our class period to complete the test. If you
arrive late to the final exam, you will not be able to take the
constellation quiz at all - no one will be admitted to the final exam once
the constellation quiz has started.
- Exams are completely closed book, with no notes allowed. Any use
of additional study aids or borrowing answers from others during a test is
not acceptable, and will result in, at minimum, a failing grade for the exam
and possibly for the course.
- If you notify me before an exam that you will be unable to complete the
test during the assigned times, we may be able to work out a make-up
date. But if you miss an exam without some advance warning to me, you will
not be able to take a make-up test, and your grade on the test will be
a zero. There are no exceptions to this policy.
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Attendance Requirements
Required on-campus meetings: Monday & Wednesday 10:30 - 11:45
AM.
Attendance is expected; active participation is part of your grade. If you
must arrive late, please knock, and wait for the door to be opened so that you
don't interrupt lecture or swamp the dark planetarium with outside light.
Chabot College attendance policies will apply. If you fail
to attend two consecutive of the class sessions without prior notification
to me by phone, note, or email, you may be dropped; similarly you may be dropped
if you miss 4 or more classes total.
Repeatedly coming late will be considered equivalent to missing class entirely,
and you will be dropped.
If you will be unable to attend any
of the meetings for a particular session, please check the Blackboard system and
post a question about what we did. It will be
your responsibility to withdraw from the class if you do not want to
receive a failing grade. Do not expect me to necessarily drop you!
Please note that missing classes will possibly mean missing an exam review or
reading quiz taken in class.
You are encouraged to use our online Blackboard system to ask questions about the book and
homework, to share ideas with others on group homework activities, and to
discuss news items of interest about Astronomy and Science. But you cannot
substitute that system for attendance and participation on campus, and posting
work only on Blackboard will not be acceptable. If you want an online-only
interaction, please consider the online versions of Astronomy 10 and Astronomy
20.
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Homework
Our class discussion assignments are meant to get you thinking about the reading
and the concepts in our class. They include Participation, Opinion, Survey, and Research Questions,
and will provide opportunities for you to discuss what
we are learning with friends and family members, co-workers, and
fellow students. In most cases, there are no right or wrong answers, but you
will receive credit for good, thorough, scholarly work and will
lose credit for incomplete or late work.
Homework responses should be at least 250 words (at least one-half page) typed,
double-spaced, and spell-checked please. If you
must miss class, you may submit your homework on the due date -- by the start of
the class period -- using the Blackboard system. If you do post the assignment, cut and paste
it into the discussion window; do not attach your work as an external file.
Late Work:
I encourage you to do the work on time, and if you cannot make it to class,
use our Blackboard system to send your work by the due date and time (the start
of class on the day it is due) for full credit Significantly reduced credit will be earned for late homework unless we have a prior agreement
by email.
Note that Extra Credit can be done any time, and is
never "late"!
Academic Integrity:
I want to know what you think, not what someone else thought! I expect all work turned in to be original, and any material copied, paraphrased,
or cited to received proper credit. Be sure to use quotation marks, and note
references. Copying material from the text or other sources without giving
a reference is not acceptable, and missing citations will result in
reduced or no credit. Plagiarism will result in a reduced overall class
grade. Outright plagiarism is cause for failing the class. A first
instance of plagiarism will result in receiving no credit for the assignment,
and a warning. A second instance of plagiarism, or a significantly
egregious attempt, will result in dismissal from the class, and possibly a
failing grade. If you use the internet to assist with assignments and extra credit,
you must include the URL, the universal resource locator, that identifies
the sources. Citation styles for all work should follow the Modern Language
Association (MLA)
style; a handout about this style for web resources
is available online.
At a minimum, you must include the name of the site or title
page of the webpage you access, the author if known, the date
the site was created, the institution or organization hosting
the site, the date you accessed the site, and the URL:
Victorian Women Writers Project. Ed. Perry Willett. Apr.
1997. Indiana U. Accessed: 26 Apr. 1997
<http:// www.indiana.edu/~letrs/vwwp/>.
For more information, check out the
Chabot College Library handouts for work cited pages online.
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Extra Credit
There will be numerous opportunities for extra credit to help your homework
and midterm grades. Each homework assignments will list extra credit questions
and topics. Get in the habit of scanning the newspaper,
magazines, and even television for items related to astronomy. If you come across
something of interest, do some research in the library, and turn in a short
review of the item, including its significance to you, and its value as a
handout for the rest of the class. There is no restriction on the topic, as long
as there is some sort of connection to astronomy. Topics could be about politics
(NASA and/or government spending on space exploration and research), global
climatic changes (the ozone hole and/or the greenhouse effect), science fiction,
aliens, etc. There is no restriction on the topic, as long as there is some sort
of connection to astronomy. I will scale the extra credit to the amount of
effort you put into your review or paper.
Extra Credit may be turned in anytime; even though each
homework assignment lists extra credit ideas, you are not required
to turn in your submissions the following week. All extra credit
is due at the last class meeting.
Please note: Extra credit earned will help towards your
homework/quiz grades and class participation. It will not make
up for missing or failing an exam.
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SH - 1/13/12
