"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking."

 

Albert Einstein, 1936

 

 

ASTRONOMY 1110H

SYLLABUS - FALL 2006

Professor J.-P. Caillault

 

Professor Information:

Office: 237 Physics

Office Hours: TuTh 10:45-11:45 AM

Phone: 542-2883

E-Mail: jpc@physast.uga.edu

 

Course Information:

Class Day/Time: TuTh 9:30-10:45 AM

Textbook: Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective, by Bennett, Donahue,

Schneider & Voit

Website: www.physast.uga.edu/~jpc/astrh.html

 

Course Structure: Although formally a lecture course, the majority of the class

time will involve discussion of the textbook material and the homework

problems that have been assigned.

 

Attendance: Since class participation is such an integral part of the course, a

maximum of three unexcused absences will be permitted.  Three points will

be deducted from your course grade for each unexcused absence beyond three.

 

Homework:  Will be assigned for each class period, but will not be collected or

graded.  However, a substantial fraction of the exam questions may be similar to

or taken directly from the homework.

 

Term Paper: Worth 25% of your final grade (details and topics TBA). 

Important dates:

Initial Meeting - Week of Sep. 11-15

Bibliography Meeting– Week of Oct. 9-13

Outline & Introduction Meeting - Week of Nov. 6-10

Term Paper Due- Thursday, Dec. 7

 

Exams: Three exams, with increasing weight:

Exam I = 15% of your final grade.

Exam II = 25% of your final grade.

Final Exam = 35% of your final grade.

 

 

Grades: Your letter grade will be assigned as follows:

 

93 ≤ A

90 ≤  A– < 93

87 ≤  B+ < 90

83 ≤  B   < 87

80 ≤  B– < 83

77 ≤  C+ < 80

73 ≤  C   < 77

70 ≤  C– < 73

60 ≤  D   < 70

F < 60

 

 

Tentative Class Schedule:

 

Day      Date                             Chapter            Topic

R          Aug. 17                        1                      Introduction/Our Place in the Universe

TR       Aug. 22, 24                  2                      Discovering the Universe for Yourself

TR       Aug. 29, 31                  3                      The Science of Astronomy

TR       Sep. 5, 7                      4                      Motion, Energy, Gravity

Week of Sep. 11-15                                       Initial Term Paper Discussion Meetings

TR       Sep. 12, 14                  5                      Light and Matter

TR       Sep. 19, 21                  6                      Telescopes

M         Sep. 25                        1-6                   Optional Review

T          Sep. 26                        1-6                   Exam I

R          Sep. 28                        7                      Our Planetary System

TR       Oct. 3, 5                      8                      Formation of the Solar System

Week of Oct. 9-13                                          Term Paper Bibliography Meetings

TR       Oct. 10            , 12                  9                      Planetary Geology

TRT     Oct. 17            , 19, 24            10                    Planetary Atmospheres

M         Oct. 30                                    1-10                 Optional Review

T          Oct. 31                        1-10                 Exam II

RTR     Nov. 2, 7, 9                 11                    Jovian Planet Systems

Week of Nov. 6-10                                         Term Paper Outlines/Intros Meetings

TR       Nov. 14, 16                 12                    Asteroids, Comets, and the Kuiper Belt

T          Nov. 21                       13                    Other Planetary Systems

TR       Nov. 28, 30                 14                    Our Star

T          Dec. 5                          24                    Life in the Universe

R         Dec. 7                                                 Term Paper Due

W         Dec. 13                        1-14, 24           Optional Review

R         Dec. 14                       1-14, 24           Final Exam (8-11 AM)