ESS 111 - General Astronomy - Syllabus

Description: An introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Two hours of lecture and two hours of lab.

Course Themes: The course topics will be divided into three major themes:

• celestial mechanics: the motion of the stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets on the celestial sphere; tides, eclipses, stellar parallax; the nature of light and matter.
• stellar evolution: nuclear fusion, the birth, life, and death of the Sun and stars.
• galaxies and cosmology: galaxies, expansion of the Universe, the Big Bang, and the fate of the Universe

  General Education Goals: As part of the General Education program, General Astronomy helps students to:

• employ quantitative concepts and mathematical methods, by understanding graphic information, solving simple algebraic equations, making practical use of fundamental principles of geometry.
• think critically and analytically, by recognizing the assumptions underlying a position or argument, making logical inferences, and reaching sensible conclusions, applying rules of logic to the development and analysis of an argument or thesis, and accurately defining and solving problems.
• demonstrate the sensibilities, understandings, and perspectives of a person educated in the liberal arts tradition, by understanding scientific principles and methods and their application in the generation and testing of knowledge, understanding the historical and philosophical contexts of the major disciplines of knowledge, and understanding the use and development of technology.

Web Resources: Course information including lecture notes and class schedule will be available on the class web page at http://astro.wcupa.edu/mgagne/ess111 . The textbook, The Cosmic Perspective, has a website with study aides and self-scoring quizzes at http://www.astronomyplace.com.

Evaluation Policy: The final grade will be based on a lecture grade and a lab grade. Students must earn passing grades on both the lecture and lab portions to pass the course. The lecture grade will be based on two class-hour exams, a non-cumulative final exam, and scores on the in-class tutorials and student responses. The dates of the two class-hour exams are listed on the class schedule. The final exam will take place during the final week of class.

The lab grade will be based on weekly lab reports and an exam on stars and constellations which will take place in the planetarium during your regular lab time on a date to be determined. Students who miss lab cannot make-up that lab. Students may attend another section's lab with permission of the instructor. The lowest lab grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Assignments, labs, and exams are to be completed by the student. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be punished as outlined in the Ram’s Eye View. Missed exams, assignments, and labs will be assessed a grade of zero.  If a student misses an exam because for a valid reason, the student will be allowed to make up that exam within one week of their return to the University. Students may make up no more than one exam per semester. Students who miss the final exam because of a valid reason will receive no grade (NG). The University’s grading policy is detailed in the Ram’s Eye View.

Student Response Systems: PRS student responders (clickers) for this course are available at the SSI and Dynamic bookstores or online. Students will have their responder number associated with their name at the beginning of the semester. At the beginning of each class, students will click in at the attendance prompt. Thereafter, questions will be asked and students will have 2 minutes to enter the correct answer on their clicker. Students may change their answer before time expires. Answers will be checked and entered into an electronic gradebook automatically. The semester's total number of student responses will count for about 50 points (equivalent to one exam).

Attendance Policy: Attendance at lab and lecture is mandatory. Lab reports will be checked at the end of each lab and students will complete a tutorial at the during each lecture.

Student Conduct: Students are expected to conduct themselves in class, in lab, with faculty and fellow students in keeping with the University’s Student Code of Conduct. See the Ram’s Eye View.

Students with Disabilities: We at West Chester University wish to make accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please make your needs known by contacting me in person or at mgagne@wcupa.edu or the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at ext. 3217. Sufficient notice is needed in order to make the accommodations possible. The University desires to comply with the ADA of 1990.

Extra Help: All students are encouraged to see me during Office Hours for tutoring or to discuss issues related to the class. If a student cannot come by during office hours, another time can be arranged. E-mail (mgagne@wcupa.edu) is the best way to handle simple questions and requests.