Astronomy 111, Section 001, Fall 2006
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00-10:15
Enterprise Hall, Room 80
Dr. Weigel
Course Web Page
Introduction
Astronomy 111 is
designed to give you an overview of the solar system
and the methods of astronomy. It has been developed for non-science
majors who wish to gain a better understanding of the the known
universe, ancient and modern astronomy, and methods for interpreting
astronomical observations and measurements. A mathematical background
including high school algebra,
geometry, and trigonometry is necessary to do well in this course. The
associated laboratory course, ASTR 112, is strongly recommended, but
it is not required. I will refer to and attempt to make connections
with some of the concepts that are covered in the first four labs.
Course Schedule
The course schedule and lecture notes are posted at http://scs.gmu.edu/~rweigel/F2006.
Course Web Page
I will post lecture notes and course information at http://scs.gmu.edu/~rweigel/F2006
Lecture Format
I will use
active learning techniques during my lectures. After presenting a
major concept I will pose a question which you will think about,
discuss with your neighbor, and then vote on your answers. At the
end of lecture I will summarize what you are expected to know and understand.
Textbook
The textbook for Fall 2006 ASTR 111-001 is Universe (7th edition) by
Freedman and Kaufmann. The textbook has online material that may be
used to supplement the lectures: http://www.whfreeman.com/universe7e.
This is a comprehensive book on introductory astronomy; ASTR 111
covers Chapters 1-17. I will not cover every concept and fact in
these chapters.
The lectures will be structured such that you may use the book for a
more detailed description or to test your understanding of the concepts
and facts that I cover in the lecture.
Contact
E-mail: rweigel@gmu.edu
Office Phone: 703-993-1361
Office Location: Research I Room 350
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30-11:30 (immediately following
lecture) or by appt
Tutoring
The physics department has a free tutor (Dr. Shalom Fisher,
703-993-1286, sfisher2@gmu.edu), who sees physics and astronomy
students in the Testing and Tutoring Center (room 2002 SU II) at the
following times: M 10:00-3:00, W 10:00-01:30 and Th 12:00-03:30.
Homework and Quizzes
There are no
quizzes for the lecture and I will not collect homework. To help you
prepare for exams, at the end of each lecture I will suggest a list
problems from the textbook and problems on the "self quiz" available on
the textbook CD or the texbook web page.
Grading
There will be
three exams during the semester and a comprehensive
final exam. All exams are multiple choice. At the end of each
lecture I will tell you what facts you must know and what concepts
you must understand for the exams. I will also suggest problems
for you to work on to prepare for the exams. If you do not
understand a concept, please seek help either in my office hours or in
the tutoring center. Each of the four exams
carries equal weight; the lowest exam grade will be dropped. Because
the lowest exam grade will be dropped, I will not give make-up exams.
Letter
grades are assigned as follows:
A = 90 - 100
A- = 85 - 90
B+ = 80 - 85
B = 75 - 80
B- = 70 - 75
C+ = 65 - 70
C = 60 - 65
D = 50 - 60
F = 0 - 50
Exam 1: 26 September (Tuesday)
Exam 2: 24 October (Tuesday)
Exam 3: 28 November (Tuesday)
Final: 7:30am-10:15am 12 December (Tuesday)