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, Monday and Wednesday, 1:00-1:50
Instructor
Dr. Tibor Torma, Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Lewis 208, 915-5627, kakukk@phy.olemiss.edu
Office Hours
Monday and Wednesday at 2:00 pm, or by appointment (call).
Textbook
Jeffrey Bennett: The Cosmic Perspective.
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.
Discipline: The lecture hall will be closed 5 minutes after class starts. Students talking or causing noise or disturbance in class will be asked to leave.
Homework: There is no homework assigned in this class. However, students will be asked to read the appropriate chapters of textbook.
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, except when assigned reading is due. For each and every class students need a scantron # 16485.
Tests:
Use of textbooks is allowed only if there are no handwritten notes in your book. All students are required to show a picture ID.
Laboratory: All students must take the laboratory. The lab is run independently by the instructor assigned to the lab section. Students will receive a separate syllabus for the lab.
Extra credit: Interested students are welcome to do a special project which will add up to 25% credit into the total grade, depending on the effort and the quality of the work done. This work may be done under the supervision of the instructor in small groups. However, extra credit is given only if the student does at least a reasonable amount of work (that is, you won't receive two points if you stop working a short time into your project.) Doing such a project is mandatory for honors students.
Honors: Honors students (Sec. 16) participate in the same lecture, but do a separate laboratory. All the differences are handled in 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 accommodation in time.
Grading: The grades are determined by the weighted average as follows:
| Grading scale: A>90%>B>80%>C>70%>D>60%>F | |
| Quizzes | 20% |
| Two tests | 15% each |
| Final | 20% |
| Laboratory | 30% |
Important notes:
(1) Anyone missing three or more labs will fail the course, whatever his/her points would be otherwise!
(2) Anyone failing the "pass and fail at 75%" test will fail the course, whatever his/her points would be otherwise!