Judy Young
620 Graduate Research Tower
Phone: 545-4311
Office Hours: Mon. 2:15-3:00 p.m., Wed. 1:15-2:00 p.m.
or by appointment
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance is required and is the single most important
way to ensure success in this course.
Reading: Assignments in the text (Explorations by
Tom Arny) for each class will be assigned at the
preceding class and are required. These assignments are also listed
on the Syllabus which was handed out the
first day of class.
In-class Writing: Writing assignments to be done in class will
be handed out and collected on the same day. Attendance is necessary
to receive credit for the in-class assignments.
Constellations: Learning the constellations is part of astronomy
which can provide you with a life-long connection to the stars. The goal
of learning the constellations will be aided by the SC1 and SC2
constellation charts published by Sky Publishing Co., by reference to the book
Stars and Planets (by Ian Ridpath), and by attending optional
evening observing sessions (if the weather cooperates).
The constellations you are required to learn are listed on the
Constellation handout, and you will have the opportunity
to demonstrate your knowledge of the constellations during the Constellation
Quiz in the middle of the semester. The quiz counts 50 points toward the total
of 550 points for the semester.
Worksheets: To accompany the lectures, worksheets will be handed
out each week. Completing as many questions as possible after each lecture
will guide you in learning and retaining the material. The worksheets are
not generally to be handed in, but may be spontaneously asked for.
Written Assignments: Assignments to be done outside of class
will be handed out most weeks. These will contain questions
covering a range of skills, including logical thinking and reasoning,
writing, drawing, making calculations, or setting up and solving
algebraic expressions. The assignments will be due between 2 & 7 days
after they are handed out. You will earn a bonus point
for assignments handed in by the beginning of class on the date due --
assignments handed in later on the date due will be accepted but
will not earn the bonus point. NO late assignments will be accepted or graded.
[Note: You may work with other students in completing the assignments, but
each asignment must be written up in your own words. If 2 identical
assignments are found by the T.A., each one will be given only half credit.]
The assignments (at-home, in-class, and extra credit) count a total
of 100 points toward the total of 550 points for the semester.
Observations: As part of the course, you will become familiar
with the constellations, the motions of the Sun and stars, and the phases
of the Moon. To assist in observing the changing location of the Sun,
Moon, and stars in the sky during the semester, we will gather several
times at the U.Mass. Sunwheel for sunset or nighttime observations. As it
is impossible to anticipate clear weather, these gatherings will be
announced in class on a weekly basis. Attendance at one Sunwheel sunset
gathering is required of each student, and will count the equivalent of
an assignment; extra credit will be given to
those who attend more than one Sunwheel sunset gathering.
Exams: There will be three one-hour exams and a final
exam. Exam questions will be
drawn from lecture, reading, and assignment material. Each exam counts
100 points (4 exams = 400 points) toward the total of 550 points
for the semester.
Grading: Grades will be assigned on the following scale --
if you get at least...
your grade will be at least...
93%
A
88%
AB
83%
B
78%
BC
73%
C
68%
CD
60%
D
Please bring a #2 pencil to all exams, since we will be
using machine-graded forms. No calculators allowed. The exams will
test concepts and some basic math ideas; they are designed to test
your understanding, not your ability to push buttons.
Makeup exam policy: Makeup exams will be given only for
documented medical or family emergencies or by prior arrangement.
Makeups will be short answer style.
Academic Honesty is expected of all scientists, and also
of all students of science.
Summary of Components of Final Grade:
3 exams
300 points
Constellation Quiz
50 points
Assignments (in-class, at-home, and extra)
100 points
Final Exam
100 points
Semester Total
550 points
Nighttime viewing through the UMass campus telescope on Orchard
Hill will be available every Thursday night from 7:30 - 9:30
PM, courtesy of UMass graduate students in astronomy. You are
encouraged to stop by and see with your own eyes many of the objects and
phenomena we discuss in class.
There is an Astronomy 100/101 Help Desk staffed by
students: