Syllabus ASTRONOMY 1420 Fall 2006
Shaw Office 235 Office hours M,W,F 11-noon, or
by appointment
Text: Bennett et al. Life in the Universe
e-mail: jss@physast.uga.edu
homepage: www.physast.uga.edu/~jss
Below are listed the chapters covered in the course and their tests with
their corresponding dates. Tests will be essay. At the time scheduled for
the final, a fourth test will be given, identical in format to the previous
three. However, it will be over all the material covered. It
may replace your lowest grade. You may use the replacement test as a
makeup. Your grade is calculated by averaging your three best test
scores. If you are satisfied with your grade before the replacement test is
given, you need not take it.
Regular make-ups will be given if you have a legitimate reason for missing the
test AND you submit a written, signed explanation of your reason.
Make-ups will be essay. Again, you may use the replacement test as a
make-up.
Welcome to
the NEW UGA grading system which has plusses and minuses! Grades will be
assigned according to 94-A, 90-A-, 87-B+, 83-B, 80-B-, 77-C+, 73-C, 70-C-,
60-D.
Please be
careful with the new grading system! If you have a school or scholarship
requirement that needs a C or a 2.0 average, a C-, which is a 1.7 will NOT be
adequate!
|
introduction |
Aug 16 |
|
Ch 5 |
Sept 22, 25 |
|
Ch 10 |
Oct 30 Nov 1, 3 |
|
Ch1 |
18, 21,23 |
|
Ch 6 |
Sept 27, 29, Oct 2 |
|
Ch 11 |
Nov 6, 8 |
|
Ch 2 |
25, 28 |
|
Ch 7 |
Oct 4, 6, 9 |
|
Ch 12i |
10, 13, 15 |
|
Ch 3 |
Aug 30, Sept 1, 6 |
|
Ch 8 |
11, 13 |
|
Ch 13 |
17, 21 |
|
Ch 4 |
8, 11, 13, 15 |
|
Ch 9 |
16, 18, 20 |
|
Ch 14 |
27 |
|
review |
18 |
|
review |
23 |
|
review |
29 |
|
Test 1 |
20 |
|
Test 2 |
Oct 25 |
|
Test 3 |
Dec 1 |
Review December 4,6 Test 4 Friday, December 8
ADVICE
If
a concept, scientific theory, or description of how something works, formula,
etc. is presented in class you need to be sure to understand it. Some of
the material presented in class is also available in the text. More is on the web sites for the recommended
reading for the daily questions. Yet
more will be discussed in class. It is
unrealistic to expect to learn the material without study outside and inside
the classroom.
In order to efficiently learn what you need to know, you must read the material
before coming to class. This also prepares you to ask questions about
what you don’t understand. Put more effort into understanding what is
being said in class than in taking a verbatim transcription. If the
material is not clear after studying the text and discussing it in class, set
up an appointment for individual help. If you fall behind, spend the time
to catch up. Do not wait until just before tests to introduce yourself to the material. Do not wait until the end of
the semester to try to catch up on all you have
missed! Again,
don’t get lost, get help!
MISCELLANEOUS POLICIES
Tests
Be on time! You may not take the
test after any other student who has seen the test has left the room.
Incompletes
Incompletes are assigned only if
you cannot complete the course work because of illness or other valid excuse.
In order to receive an incomplete we must come to a WRITTEN agreement on what
is necessary to remove the incomplete. If you have taken three tests, you
have completed the course.