SCCC 115 Course Syllabus - Fall 2005

Prof. Christina Lacey

 

                     

 

General Comments

 

Astronomy is the process of finding out where we are and where we are going.

In order to answer these questions, modern astronomy incorporates many of the results and methods of the other sciences. All sciences build models of the world. These models are often developed by controlled experiments. Astronomers do not have the luxury of experiments. We are forced to build many of our models with the constraint that we can look but not touch.

 

All sciences discover and collect data. The set of data are in themselves not the science. The science is the process. This is not to say that we don't need to know any of the data. Some information must be at your fingertips for the search. In this course, we will try to strike a balance between information and process.

 

Materials Needed

 

For the course you will need, in addition to this syllabus,

 

1.  Astronomy Today by Chaisson/McMillan, 5th Edition;

2.  Laboratory Exercises in Astronomy for SCCC115-116, 1st edition or higher by Safko;

3.  A calculator capable of trig and log functions such as the TI 30Xa (you are responsible for learning how to operate the calculator);

4.  A bound laboratory log book. (such as Roaring Spring 77475 or Apad26-251) It must be a separate volume and fully devoted to the lab.

      

 

 

Grading

 

This will not be a self-paced mastery-oriented course such as ASTR 111. Your grade will be determined by the following:

 

 Laboratory               20%

 Homework                 20%

 3 Exams @ 10%            30%

 Final Exam               15%

 Class Participation      15%

 

0.20*L + 0.20*H + 0.30*((E1+E2+E3)/3) + 0.15*F + 0.15*P

 

Laboratory

 

Most of the laboratories will be held at Melton Observatory. They may start later than scheduled until sunset occurs around 7:00 p.m. There may be some special astronomical events occurring, so meetings may also be held on a few other nights. At least one meeting will be in the day for solar observations. On cloudy nights you may meet in PSC 324.  Dr. Overcash will be in charge of the laboratories. At the end of the term, he will give me a numerical grade, which will count for 20% of your course grade.

 

Homework

 

Homework will be assigned each Thursday and collected the following

Thursday.

 

Tests and Final Exam

 

The tests will be cumulative, but concentrate on material covered since the last test. The final will be cumulative. All will be brief answer or have relatively simple calculations. The purpose is to check understanding rather than memorization of information.

 

Class Participation 

 

Group exercises will be conducted every class meeting.  These exercises require full class participation.  Class participation will be measured by a five-minute quiz given at the beginning of each class over material on the syllabus scheduled for that dayÕs class. 

 

Contact Information

 

Email:    lacey@sc.edu

Phone:    777-6089

Office:   Rm. 503, PSC

 

Webpage:    http://www.physics.sc.edu/~lacey/sccc115

 

 

My office hours are Tuesday 2-4 pm in the Astronomy Center, located in the basement of PSC, and Wed. 1-3 pm in Rm. 503.

 

During the first week, each of you must send me an email address by contacting me at that address. If you have not yet obtained your address from the university, please read the information you have on it.