AST 1001 satisfies both Environmental Theme and Physical Science requirements.
Professor Claudia Scarlata, Tate 285-08, 626-1811
http://www.astro.umn.edu/~scarlata , mscarlat @ umn.edu
Office hours: by appointment. I will usually be in class at least 5 minutes before lecture and can stay afterwards for several minutes.
Section 1: Lectures 9:45 - 11:00, MW, Tate Hall B20.
TA Office Hours - Hours will be posted on the Astro 1001 course website and on the door outside lab room
Please read the entire syllabus carefully; you are responsible for all of the requirements and procedures described here. You are also responsible for all announcements, assignments, changes, etc., whether or not you are in class.
Lecture notes will be posted after each class on CANVAS
Environmental Theme: AST 1001 satisfies Liberal Education Physical Science w/Lab and the Environmental Theme requirement. The course introduces the students to a wide range of topics, from the Solar System and the cosmos, to the physical principles that underlie the workings of the Universe. The integrated study of the physical principles and the systems they apply to allows the students to see Earth in a broader context, and provides them with a unique perspective on our home planet and its environment. A key component of the course is an understanding of how science approaches the physical word around us. Environmental theme topics are addressed in both lectures and labs.
Text: On-line -- The Essential Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit.
Lab Manual (required): Astronomy 1001/1001H Laboratory Manual 2017 - 2018 (available in the Bookstore)
Bring a 3x5 index card and your voting card (to be distributed) to class each day
Exams
Mid-Term 1: Wednesday,October 10th during class period.
Mid-Term 2: Wednesday, November 14th during class period.
Final Monday, December 17 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., room TBD
Observational Projects
Part I: At least 3 observations entered ONLINE and paper photo-copies of Observing Form placed in your TA's box by Friday, Sept. 28, 3pm.
Part II: At least 9 total observations entered ONLINE and paper photo-copies of Observing Form placed in your TA's box (outside Phys Rm. 256) by Friday, Nov. 2, 3pm.
Final Report: Final observations (a total of 15 observations) entered online and paper photo-copies, and the Final Report due in your TA's box (outside Phys Rm. 256) by Friday, Nov 30, 3pm.
Grading will be assigned approximately as follows based on past experience: A: 900 - 1000; B: 800 - 899; C: 650 - 799; D: 500 - 649; F: 0 - 499 (You must receive a 'C-' or better to receive a grade of 'S'.)
Keep copies of all materials upon which you are graded (laboratory reports, observational project assignments, and examinations) until the end of the semester. After the first two or three weeks of the semester, grade summaries will be posted weekly at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/. Students are expected to review their grade summaries for accuracy periodically during the semester and after the final examination. Discrepancies should be reported to Andrea Stronghart in the Office of the Department of Astronomy (Phone: 612-624-4811; FAX: 612-626-2029; e-mail:astrong@umn.edu).
NOTE! In order to receive a passing grade in the class you must get at least 50% of the total available lab points (120/240) AND at least 50% of the total available Observational Moon Project points (70/140). In addition, you must take all three exams.
| Material | Points for Each | Total Points | % of Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Participation (3x5 cards) | - | 130 | 13% |
| On-line (Mastering Astronomy) DUE SUNDAY NIGHT | - | 110 | 11% |
| Mid-Term 1 and 2 | 100 | 200 | 20% |
| Labs (12 total) | 20 | 240 | 24% |
| Observational Project Total | - | 140 | 14% |
| Final Exam | - | 180 | 18% |
| Total for the Course | - | 1000 | 100% |
Special Needs - Any students with special learning needs must contact their professor during the first two weeks of class.
Student Mental Health Services - As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a your ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website at http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu.
Academic Standards - The UMN scholastic conduct and classroom procedures will be followed. You are responsible for being familiar with these. Students are welcome to work together, exchange ideas, etc. However, for the Moon Project, EACH STUDENT MUST MAKE HIS/HER OWN OBSERVATIONS/MEASUREMENTS AND OWN CALCULATIONS. Copying of someone else's measurements or calculations is equivalent to cheating and will be handled accordingly.
Examinations - Room assignments for the exams will be announced in class and posted on the course website. Bring two pencils and a photo-ID to all exams!. Exams will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. If you cannot make it to an exam, see the professor well in advance. If you miss an exam, see the professor immediately about scheduling a makeup exam. Makeup exams can be scheduled for anytime, and MAKEUP EXAMS can be ESSAY. Your midterm exams will be returned to you in your lab. If you feel there is a mistake on the multiple choice portion of your exam, please see the secretary in Physics 356.
You are allowed to bring in one 8 1/2 x 11” page of notes covered on one side to the midterms. For the final, you can cover both sides of the page with notes. You will not need a calculator for the exams, so calculators are prohibited.
Note: Students have told us that using the on-line quizzes provided with your textbook has proven to be a very effective way to prepare for the exams. You can access these online quizzes by logging in to Masteringastronomy.com and using the access code in the cardboard insert provided with your text. Note that we will not be using this website for assignments or grades, only access to the study tools. Thus, you do not need any special course specific passwords.
Observational Project Information - START MAKING OBSERVATIONS RIGHT AWAY! and don't miss a clear night/day! Every term there are a few students who put this off. DO NOT BE ONE!! You will need your three preliminary observations by the end of the third week. Always save the original copy of your observation log, and turn in a photocopy.
| Date | Topic | Reading | Lab | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 - Sep 5 | A Perspective on Astronomy | 1,2 | ||
| Week 2 - Sep 10 | History of Astronomy, The Human’s View of the Environment, Matter and Energy, Universal Motion | 2,3 | A | |
| Week 3 - Sep 17 | Light and Telescopes | 4,5 | B | |
| Week 4 - Sep 24 | Light and Telescopes | 5 | C | |
| Week 5 - Oct 1 | Solar system overview; Terrestrial and Jovian Planets | 6,7 | D | |
| Week 6 - Oct 8 | Asteroids, Comets, Earth's Environment | 8,9 | E | |
| 10/10 | Mid Term Exam 1 | |||
| Week 7 - Oct 15 | The Sun | 9,10 | F | |
| Week 8 - Oct 22 | The Stars and their Properties | 10,11 | G | |
| Week 9 - Oct 29 | Star Formation and Stellar Evolution | 12 | H | |
| Week 10 - Nov 5 | Exotic Stars/Stellar graveyard | 12 | I | |
| Week 11 - Nov 12 | Our Milky Way/Other galaxies | 13 | J | |
| 11/14 | Mid Term Exam 2 | |||
| Week 12 - Nov 19 | Galaxy evolution, Birth of Universe | 14 | No Lab | |
| Week 13 - Nov 26 | Galaxies and the Expansion of the Universe | 15 | K | |
| Week 14 - Dec 3 | Dark Matter, Dark Energy,and the Fate of the Universe | 15 | L | |
| Week 15 - Dec 10 | Cosmology: birth and death of the universe | 16 | ||
| TBA | Final Exam |