NSCI 111 INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

Summer (June session) 2008

Dr. Johnny B. Holmes

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: NSCI 111 INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

The course introduces non-science students to astronomy. It includes naked-eye astronomy and a brief history of astronomy; the present-day tools of the astronomer; the solar system; the sun and stars; and finally the galaxy, the universe, and extraterrestrial life. Prerequisite: MATH 105 or higher. Corequisite: NSCI 111L

One semester; three credits.

TEXT: Discovering the Universe by William J. Kaufmann III and Neil F. Comins, fifth edition

(This is the text the bookstore will have; however, any relatively recent astronomy text will probably be fine.)

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Johnny B. Holmes, Professor of Physics

Office: Buckman 207; office phone: 321-3448; e-mail address: jholmes@cbu.edu

PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC:

1. Basic algebra

GOALS:

To teach the student the basic concepts of astronomy and show where mankind and the earth fit in the overall physical (as contrasted with the spiritual, emotional and social) picture.
To acquaint the student with the scientific method of thinking by demonstrating it as it applies to the study of astronomy.
To show how science is a human endeavor and how it affects society as a whole.
To provide a fund of concepts, images, and metaphors that can be utilized to imagine how other things in the world might work.

OUTLINE:

Part I: Introduction and Early Development

Part II: Light and Tools

Part III: The Solar System

Part IV: The Sun and Stars

Part V: The Galaxy and the Universe

GRADING:

There will be a test over each of the five parts listed above. Each test will count as one grade. There will be a final exam which will count as three grades. (Since there are several written reports required in the lab, there will be no reports required in the lecture.) If you have two or fewer absences then I will drop the lowest of the five tests or reduce the final from three to two grades. The final letter grade will be determined from the average of the eight (or seven) grades using the following scale:

A: 93-100; B: 82-93; C: 70-82; D: 65-70; F: 0-65.

Questions will come mainly from the questions on the study guides.

The questions marked with ** will be on the test for that section.

The questions marked with * will probably be on the test.

The unmarked questions may be on the test.

Opportunities for an in-class presentation will be available for one or two sections for up to 5 bonus points.

ABSENCES:

I expect you to attend class. If you miss two or fewer classes then I will drop your lowest test grade (or reduce the worth of your final by one grade) and average the remaining seven grades. The material you are responsible for is mostly in the textbook, but the course is based on my lectures and not strictly on the book. (I discuss more material than is in the book in parts 1 & 2, and I discuss less material than is in the book in parts 3, 4, & 5.) You are responsible for all material covered in class and for any test schedule changes announced in class.

If you miss a test, then I will give you a make-up test if you wish but there will be a 10 point penalty (out of 100 points) since it is hard for me to make up another test. NOTE: If you know beforehand that you are going to miss a test, you may request BEFORE the test date that I give you a make-up test BEFORE the regular test date. In this case there will be no penalty.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TESTS:

Friday, June 6 Test #1 over Part I

Friday, June 13 Test #2 over Part II

Friday, June 20 Test #3 over Part III

Friday, June 27 Test #4 over Part IV

Wednesday, July 2 Test #5 over Part V

Thursday, July 3 FINAL EXAM over the whole course

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