Planets, Stars, Galaxies: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe
  AST1002 - Section 2
  Fall 2008

  Class Meetings: 101 Richards (UPL), Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 3:15 PM

Syllabus

Objective

This course provides general acquaintance with some of the facts, concepts and scientific methods of astronomy. As a liberal study course, the goal is to help you learn some basic facts of astronomy as well as gain an appreciation of astronomy as a science, the universe and the current scientific ideas about its history and its future. The classes consist of lectures, movies, slides and (probably) planetarium shows. Unfortunately, our planetarium holds only 80 seats and for this reason, shows require some logistical efforts. The lectures will concentrate on the critical issues and you are expected to study the text to obtain a better understanding of astronomy. The subject matter discussed in class will generally follow the text, with additional material presented from information not yet in the textbooks.

There will be one web-based homework assignment each week (due every Tuesday at 11:55 PM). The homeworks will be conducted using the FSU Blackboard system, where you need to have an active account. Please make sure that you can login to Blackboard (http://campus.fsu.edu) and can access the link to the AST1002 course. Homework assignments will appear in the corresponding folder (Assignments). All homeworks will have due dates, shown in the Course Materials Section. Homeworks completed after the due date receive no credit! Homeworks will be graded automatically upon completion.

Expectations

It is expected that you will attend class, read the text, and ASK QUESTIONS. The instructor will cover the important material and use a variety of materials for presentations and strive to ANSWER QUESTIONS.

PRS Transmitters

Our classroom is instrumented with a Personal Response System (PRS) that allows students to individually answer questions during class and have their answers recorded into the computer. You must bring your PRS transmitter to every class. You can purchase a transmitter at the FSU Bookstore or Bill's Bookstore. You must register your transmitter using Blackboard so the computer can associate your transmitter with your name. For detailed instructions see http://tecs.fsu.edu/prs.

Mini-quizzes will be administered in class using the PRS units. We will have one mini-quiz per week. The weekly quizzes consist of five multiple-choice questions and you have 1 minute to submit your answer. The two lowest scores will be dropped at the end of the semester. There will be no make-ups for mini-quizzes regardless of the reason of absence!

Grades

Your point total for the course will be determined by a combination of class mini-quizzes (10%), two one-hour exams (20% each), the final exam (30%), homework assignments (20%). If you do miss an exam for a valid reason, it must be made up. It is your responsibility to arrange the make-up exam with your instructor. You may earn a maximum of 100 points in the course. The table below shows the breakpoints from previous semesters.

 Breakpoints 
(Spring '07)
 Breakpoints 
(Fall 2007)
 Grade 
83 83 A/A-
79 78 A-/B+
76 74 B+/B
71 70 B/B-
67 66 B-/C+
64 63 C+/C
57 58 C/C-
49 50 C-/D+
- 45 D+/D
- 30 D/F

Academic Honor Code

Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in The Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The first paragraph is:

The Academic Honor System of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.


Academic Accommodation

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should:
  • Register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC).
  • Bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating you need academic accommodations and what they are.
Do this within the first week of class. We will work with you for any special needs that you may require.

Some Sensible Advice

It will be great if everyone passes this course. Unfortunately, some people find doing physics/astronomy rather difficult. Below are a few tips to help make your adventures in physics fun.

  • This course is no pushover. Physics/Astronomy is based on understanding, not remembering. I will do all I can to help you, but only you know whether you really understand something or not! Test yourself on additional problems. If, after reading additional problems, you have no idea how to solve them, then you have not understood the concepts. Do not just memorize the answers to selected problems.
  • To gain confidence on physics concepts, practice the easier problems first.
  • In order to prepare for the exams make sure you understand and can do all the homework problems. You are strongly encouraged to do extra problems. Do not just memorize the solutions.
  • Attend all lecture classes.
  • Use the textbook. You paid good money for it! Try to find time to look over a chapter before it is covered in class.
  • Come and talk to me if you need extra help.
  • Find a study partner. We strongly encourage students to study and learn together.
  • Finally, don't give up or sit for hours trying to understand the homework. Come and discuss your solution with me. Often you will be much closer than you think to being able to solve a problem.
  • Good luck and I hope you enjoy the course!