Physics 104N Introductory Astronomy of Galaxies and Cosmology CRN Spring Semester 2016

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Stephany Hensley
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1 Tuesday Thursday 13:30 14:45 in MGB Hall 0102 Course Description: This four credit-hour course introduces the basic concepts of astronomy. Emphasizes the study of stars, star systems, cosmology and relativity. Emphasis on how we acquire knowledge of celestial objects to develop models of our Universe. Course Objectives: Students will learn basic techniques of scientific investigation of objects in our galaxy and their underlying physical principles. Emphasis is on the development of models of our universe through a combination of instruction, in class participation (quizzes), performing laboratory work and possibly night observations, reading and solving of homework problems. Additional Information: The course consists of two weekly lectures with regular quizzes, one weekly laboratory session, homework assignments, two midterm exams and one cumulative final exam. Attendance in the lecture is not required, but encouraged, also in view of the in-class quizzes. A textbook is not required, but it is strongly recommended to study an astronomy textbook. Homework is not required, but also stronlgy recommended. Students will need an access code for the MasteringAstronomy online homework system. Detailed information and updates/changes can be found on the ODU Blackboard course web page. Instructor: Office Hours: Pre-requisite: Dr. Stephen Bueltmann Office OCNPS 2100F Phone (757) sbueltma@odu.edu Tuesdays 11:00 12:00 and by appointment. None.

2 Course Textbook: The Cosmic Perspective: Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology 2014 (ISBN ). This book contains the chapters 1 6, S2 S4, of the full edition (two semester course) The Cosmic Perspective, see below. A textbook package containing the MasteringAstronomy access code is available: The Cosmic Perspective: Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology Plus MasteringAstronomy Access Card 2014 (ISBN ). A full edition, covering two semesters, is also available: The Cosmic Perspective 2014 (ISBN ). A textbook package of the full edition containing the MasteringAstronomy access code is also available: The Cosmic Perspective Plus MasteringAstronomy Access Card 2014 (ISBN ). The course follows basically the contents of the above textbook. Older editions may also be suitable, but usually do not contain a vaild MasteringAstronomy access code, which can be purchased separately. Some students might prefer a different textbook, some listed below (keeping in mind that the MasteringAstronomy access code can be purchased online separately). Again, older editions may be suitable. 21 st Century Astronomy by L. Kay, S. Palen, B. Smith, G. Blumenthal, 4th edition, W. W. Norton 2013 (for a two semester course, available also in two separate volumes). Universe by R. A. Freedman, R. Geller, W. J. Kaufmann, 10th edition, W. H. Freeman 2015 (for a two semester course, available also in two separate volumes). Understanding Our Universe by S. Palen, L. Kay, B. Smith, G. Blumenthal, 2nd edition, W. W. Norton 2015

3 Life in the Universe by J. Bennett, S. Shostak, 3rd edition, Addison-Wesley 2012 Discovering the Universe by N. F. Comins, W. J. Kaufmann, 9th edition, W. H. Freeman 2011 Homework: The ability to analyze and solve problems is a very important skill to develop during this course. You can only learn science by doing problems. Homework will be assigned and managed though the MasteringAstronomy online service. You need to have the Student Access Code that comes either with your copy of the textbook or can be purchased online it contains a code that allows you to register at the website After registering with the service you should add yourself to the class-list for this course using the code MABUELTMANNSS2016. More detailed instructions will be available on the class Blackboard page. Homework will be assigned as the course progresses, typically every week. Students should regularly check in the MasteringAstronomy web site to be aware of homework due dates. Requests for submitting homework late for legitimate reasons should be made within two weeks after the originial due date of the assignment. Laboratory Sessions: Attendance & participation is required in the laboratory sessions of the course. Any student with more than one unexcused absence will fail the laboratory session and, hence, the entire course. You must hand in a lab report to get credit for each session. If you cannot avoid missing a lab session, contact the instructor in advance. You should bring with you to the lab session a scientific calculator. The lab instructor will detail the format of lab reports and the grading criteria to be applied. Night observations may be scheduled. A laboratory-style notebook and scientific calculator are required. Note: It is a College of Sciences regulation, that you must receive a passing grade (C- or better) from your lab instructor to pass the course.

4 Outline of Course Schedule: Date Chapter and Topic Tuesday, January 12 1 Introduction Thursday, January 14 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself Tuesday, January 19 3 The Science of Astronomy Thursday, January 21 3 cont d Tuesday, January 26 4 Gravity and Orbits Thursday, January 28 4 cont d Tuesday, February 2 5 Light and Matter Thursday, February 4 5 cont d and Review Tuesday, February 9 Midterm 1 (chapters 1 5) Thursday, February 11 6 Astronomical Detection Methods Tuesday, February Our Star Thursday, February Surveying the Stars Tuesday, February cont d Thursday, February Star Birth Tuesday, March 1 16 cont d Thursday, March 3 17 Star Stuff Tuesday, March 8 Spring Break (no class) Thursday, March 10 Spring Break (no class) Tuesday, March The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard Thursday, March cont d Tuesday, March Our Galaxy Thursday, March 24 Review (chapters 14 19) Tuesday, March 29 Midterm 2 (chapters 14 19) Thursday, March Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology Tuesday, April 5 21 Galaxy Evolution Thursday, April 7 22 The Birth of the Universe Tuesday, April Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe Thursday, April cont d Tuesday, April Life in the Universe Thursday, April 21 Review Tuesday, April 26 Reading Day Thursday, April 28 Final Cumulative Exam (12:30 15:30 in MGB 0102) The Final Exam will cover all chapters and there will be no early exams. Note: The course schedule will be maintained and updated during the semester.

5 Examinations: There will be two midterm exams and one cumulative final exam. The final exam will contain questions taken from all subject areas covered in the course. All examinations are closed book. You should only bring a pen or pencil. Throughout the semester there will be five to ten in-class quizzes to help you determine your progress. They will account for a combined 10% of the course grade. The lowest grade quiz will be dropped from the average. There will be one make-up quiz session at the end of the semester for students who missed a quiz for legitimate reasons during the semester. Course Grade: A course grade will be assigned based on the following weighting: Laboratory Session 15% Homework 10% In-class Quizzes 10% Midterm Exams 20% each Final Exam 25% Accomodation Statement : Students are encouraged to self-disclose disabilities that have been verified by the Office of Educational Accessibility by providing Accommodation Letters to their instructors early in the semester in order to start receiving accommodations. Accommodations will not be made until the Accommodation Letters are provided to instructors each semester. Honor Pledge : I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if I am summoned. By attending Old Dominion University you have accepted the responsibility to abide by this code. This is an institutional policy, approved by the Board of Visitors.

ASTRONOMY 2801A: Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology : Fall term

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