Europa Jupiter ASTR1030, Fall 2009

Accelerated Introductory Astronomy

MWF 9:00-10:00 am; Duane G125
Professor Robert Ergun
Duane D-119; Office Hours Monday & Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 am.
ree@lasp.colorado.edu;
2-6944; (2-1560 East Campus)
HW 6 Answers are posted.
Midterm Review: Thursday, 7:00 pm at SBO.
Midterm #3 on Friday.
Syllabus
 Lecture Notes Homework
 Midterms/Reviews
Monica Hoke (Lab TA)
 Vivek Kaila (Lab TA) Nidhish Gangadharan Observing
20 Brightest Stars Picture of the Day Hubble Pictures NASA Planets
NEXT OBSERVING: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7:00 PM. SBO.
Observing information. Click here at ~6 PM to see if weather allows for observing.

General Information: ASTR1030 is the first semester of a two semester introduction to astronomy designed for science and engineering majors (ASTR1040 is the second semester). We will study the solar system to understand the laws of nature, how planets are formed and evolve, and to view Earth in a different perspective. ASTR1030 is a four-credit course with lectures, laboratories, and telescope observing. 

Required Text:  The Cosmic Perspective by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, & Voit.

Other Requirements: Students must have an iClicker and a calculator with scientific notation and know how to use it.

Lectures: Lectures include power point displays, demonstrations, and chalkboard talks. Several clicker questions may be asked during lectures based on reading assignments and lecture content. The iClicker scores are recorded and account for 2.5% of extra credit. Several of the lectures (see syllabus) will be held in the  Fiske Planetarium. Go directly to Fiske on those days. Homework, quizzes, and the final exam are based in the content of the Fiske lectures as well as the regular class lectures and the text.

Homework: Homework is due on Wednesdays every other week. The web page describes how to present homework. The best 6 of 7 homework scores will make up 25% of the grade.

Midterms: Three times in the semester, we will have midterm exams taking up the entire class. Exams will include multiple choice, short answer, and problem solving. Note: Students with disabilities must provide documentation to Disabilities Services (2-8671) and confer with the instructor during the first two weeks of the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be made.

Final Exam: The final exam is on Monday, December 14, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. It is cumulative; it covers all the material in the course including lectures, text, homework, observing, and planetarium shows. Exams will include multiple choice, short answer, and problem solving.

Observing: The observing assignments are at the  Sommers-Bausch Observatory. Night observing dates and times are posted in a table on the web. DO YOUR OBSERVING EARLY IN THE SEMESTER! The last day may have cloud cover!

Grading: Grades are based on the best 6 of 7 homework/project assignments (~4% each for 25% of grade), in class "clicker" scores (best ~25 of ~40 questions for up to 2.5% of extra credit), laboratory scores (25% of grade), the best 2 of 3 midterm exams (12.5% each for 25% of grade), and a final exam (25% of grade). There are no makeup exams. It will be difficult to get a good grade without doing the homework.

Courtesy: For the benefit of your fellow students and your instructor, please: