Syllabus
 Astronomy 103
Sections 1-2

Summer 2004

This is an introductory course to astronomy, with more emphasis on active thinking than memorizing facts. The main points of this course are (1) a general understanding of astronomy, (2) what can be observed in the sky, (3) what we know about the Sun and the Solar System, space travel and life and (4) the structure of the Universe.

 

Lecture


Lewis 101, Every day, Monday through Thursday, 8:00-9:50

Instructor
Dr. Tibor Torma, Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Lewis 208, 915-5627, kakukk@phy.olemiss.edu

Office Hours
 After each class or by appointment.

Textbook
Jeffrey Bennett: The Cosmic Perspective, ed. 2.
(Parts II/6-7, Parts VI-VII.)

Course Home Page
http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/~kakukk/Astro/index.html

(Note: the ~ sign is found on the keyboard left of number 1. Keep your "shift" pressed for it.)

Lectures: The lectures cover the material in the textbook from a different perspective. Students are expected to attend and make an effort to actively participate.

Home Page: The course comes with a neatly maintained home page. Students need to check it regularly (at least weekly), including the links.

Quizzes: Students will be given short quizzes during every lecture. The questions will be based on that day's lecture. (No advance preparation is necessary.) For each and every class students need a scantron # 16485.

Tests:


    Two tests are given during the semester, in addition to the final: on June 10, June 17, and the final on June 28 (all class time, Thursday 8:00- 10:00).

    The two hour final exam is comprehensive.

Laboratory: All students must take the laboratory. The lab is run independently by the instructor assigned to the lab section. You'll receive a separate syllabus for the lab.

Absences: Missed quizzes, tests and labs cannot be made up. In case of a documented medical emergency they will be "excused" within reasonable limits (the grade will be replaced by the average of the student's existing grades). In such cases the student needs to request the replacement immediately after s/he returns.

Students with disabilities: All reasonable measures will be taken to accommodate any special needs. Inform the instructor in advance of any such need during lecture, discussion, laboratory or tests. Affected students are responsible for requesting special accomoodition in time.

Grading: The grades are determined by the weighted average as follows:

Grading scale: A>90%>B>80%>C>65%>D>50%>F
 Quizzes  20%
Two tests 15% each
Final 20%
Laboratory 30%


Important note: anyone missing three or more labs will fail the course, whatever his/her points would be otherwise!