PHYS 162 - Elementary Astronomy

Introduction to astronomical science extending from planetary astronomy through the most recent discoveries and speculations of astrophysics, such as pulsars, black holes, and the latest hypotheses regarding stellar evolution and cosmology.

Section 2 - Fall 2014 - Dr. Fortner

Lectures: MWF 10:00-10:50; Room: FW 200

Observatory: Thursday and Friday nights when clear, Davis Hall

Text:

Required: Schneider and Arny - Pathways to Astronomy, 4th Ed

 

Homework:

Required: WebAssign - www.webassign.net

 

Grading

• 3 exams and a final - 50 points each, keep the three best scores
• Exam 1 (9/26) - Tools of Astronomy - covers weeks 1 to 4 in lectures and readings
• Exam 2 (10/24) - Planets - covers weeks 5 to 8 in lectures and readings
• Exam 3 (11/19) - Stars - covers weeks 9 to 11 in lectures and readings
• Exam 4 (12/8) - Universe - covers weeks 12 to 15 in lectures and readings
• 10 problem sets - 10 points each
• 3 papers (2 to 4 pages, double spaced, submitted electronically), 20 points each, due the day of each of the first three tests, 5 point penalty for late papers
• report on a factual news story published in 2014 about a telescope or satellite and what it hopes to measure
• report on a fictional account of a planet or moon in a movie or tv show and how it compares with real planets
• report on a web site that describes the sun or other stars and how it relates to the measures astronomers use to describe them
• extra credit (2 to 4 pages, double spaced, submitted electronically), 20 points each, due on the last day of class
  • report on a visit to the observatory, maximum of one.
  • report on guest speaker, maximum of one.

• A : 240 or more out of 310
• B : 210 to 239
• C : 180 to 209
• D : 150 to 179
• F : less than 150