Astronomy 100 - Exploring the Universe

Professor Schneider
Section 1 - Fall 2006
Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30-3:45
Hasbrouck 20

Course Syllabus Requirements, Policies, Grading

Student Contract Rules for this course

Lecture Schedule Course Calendar & Lecture Notes

How to Use OWL Instructions for logging into the homework website—note that your last name is your initial password.

Textbook Website for animations and interactives indicated in the margin of the book along with self-study quizzes (click on Self Study near the top of the page to enter)

Sample Exam 1 Key to Exam

Please note: for this semester's course, the relevant questions for our first exam are: 1-3, 5-8, 15, 19-20, 24-32, 34-35 as well as questions 2 & 6 on Sample Exam 2 below

Sample Exam 2 Key to Exam

Please note: for this semester's course, the relevant questions for our second exam are: 1, 5, 7-17, 19-25, and 28-35

Sample Exam 3 Key to Exam

Please note: for this semester's course, the relevant questions for our second exam are: 1, 2, 4-35 as well as questions 3, 4, 18, 26, 27 from Sample Exam 2 above

The sample exams are in portable data format (PDF) for which you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have this program installed. If you are having trouble viewing these files, the program can be downloaded for free here.

Course News:

12/14/06 Meteor Shower Event - Starting at 9PM at the Orchard Hill Observatory

9/21/06 Electronic Textbook I have found an alternate vendor for an electronic version of the textbook: http://textbooks.zinio.com/. Type “schneider” in the search box, and the book should come up for a price of $44.68. Sorry for the delay.

9/11/06 IMPORTANT: For Students Who Asked to Enroll in this Class in Lecture 1 or 2: Please note that you have been given PERMISSION to enroll. To actually enroll, you must get onto SPIRE and enroll yourself before September 18th.

9/7/06 OWL now available! Your ID# and last name were used as entered on your computer scan sheet in class. Your last name is used as your initial password. If your last name has any unusual spacing or characters,it was probably treated as a single word. For example, if your last name is “St. James” and you entered it on the scan sheet as STJAMES, then the last name I entered in OWL is Stjames.

We are using the new textbook “Pathways to Astronomy” 1^st Edition, by Schneider and Arny. (Royalties received from sales of this book for this class will be donated for purchase of new course lecture and demonstration materials.)

We will also be using a radio frequency remote-control “PRS” for in-class participation that you can purchase at the textbook annex. These are not the same as PRS infrared clickers—they work much better.

If you plan to take this class: you need to read and sign your agreement to the student contract, which I give out in class.

If you intend to drop the class: please make sure that you are not in the course before the add/drop deadline.

If you want to take this class but are not enrolled: I close computer enrollment once the class begins, but I may have a few spaces left. Please read all material here and come to class, then see me after class. I generally have spaces available until the second class.

Help!

The best way to reach me is by email:

a100@messier.astro.umass.edu

Your subject line must be clear and you must sign your name and include your student ID# or your message will probably not get through!

You can drop by my office without an appointment on Wednesdays 11-1pm. My office is 517K in the Grad Tower (concrete building on the north end of campus). If you want to come by at a different time, please email me with several times when you are available, and I will schedule an appointment.

You can also get help at the Astronomy Help Desk, Monday through Thursday evenings from 7-9pm in Hasbrouck 205. The Help Office is staffed by undergraduate astronomy majors who can help you with general questions, homework and OWL.