Astronomy 129: Introductory Astronomy I LAB
Section L1, Spring 2018
Lab
Day: Tuesday
Location:
School of Sciences and Mathematics Building, SSMB 211
Observing
Location: Saint Philip Str. Garage, 89 Saint Philip Str.
Time:
7:00PM-10:00PM
Instructor:
Dr. George Chartas
Office:
206 J. C. Jong
Office
hours: TR 3:00-5:30 pm
Phone:
(843) 953-3609
Email: chartasg@cofc.edu
CO-requisite: ASTR 129
A
preliminary outline of the course can be found at the SCHEDULE website. Some of
this material is subject to change and this site will be constantly up-dated so
please check it before each class.
_____________________________________________________________
Syllabus
Required materials:
a)
The College of Charleston Astronomy Lab manual (you
may purchase it from SAS-E Ink located on 219 Calhoun Str., Charleston)
b)
The textbook for the course is Bennett, J.,
Donahue, M., Schneider, N., and Voit, M., titled The
Cosmic Perspective 8th Edition.
c)
A scientific calculator capable of
computing exponential functions
Course Objectives:
One of the
goals of this class in combination with the associated lecture is to reveal to
you some of the wonders of our cosmos. You
will learn how the scientific method is used to explain the underlying causes behind
astrophysical phenomena. The lab activities will provide a hands-on approach to
better understand the material taught in the astronomy 129 lectures.
Specifically, in Astronomy 129 Lab, students will learn how to use star charts
and planetarium software to identify stars and constellations in the sky at any
date and time, use a celestial globe and a rotating star chart to understand
the diurnal and yearly motions of the Earth and the celestial coordinate
system, learn how to setup a telescope and how to observe objects through a
telescope, learn how craters form, confirm Kepler’s laws by analyzing real data
from the orbit of a satellite, and even plan a mission to Europa!
Astronomy 129
will also improve several general skills that will be useful for students. In
particular, the lab will enhance student’s teamwork skills, students will learn
the basics of collecting, analyzing and presenting scientific data, use simple
statistics to analyze data, learn how to interpret data, improve on computer
skills and learn about telescope calibration. I recommend that you review the material before it is presented in
class. This will help you to better understand the concepts and enjoy the
class.
General Education Learning
Outcomes:
1.
Students apply physical/natural principles to analyze and solve problems.
2.
Students explain how science impacts society.
A
more detailed description of the learning outcomes and objectives of this
course are included in Learning Outcomes.
Attendance:
It is
important that you attend every lab since there are only 13 labs per semester
and each one therefore carries a significant fraction of your grade. Also
missing a lab will make it difficult for you to understand and carry out
upcoming labs. For example, missing the lab related to telescope setup would
make it extremely difficult for you to use the telescope in following labs that
require you to observe celestial objects. In the case that you do end up
missing a lab, the absence will have to be documented. You can miss up to one
lab (documented absence) without it affecting your final grade. Any additional
labs missed, for whatever reason, will negatively affect your final grade.
Grades:
You
will be graded for each lab. Labs reports will be completed and handed in
before you leave. I will indicate which lab reports you may collaborate on and
for which ones I expect you to complete individually. Collaboration is not
allowed on quizzes. Your number grade will be converted into a letter grade as
follows.
>85% |
A |
80-84% |
A- |
76-80% |
B+ |
72-76% |
B |
68-72% |
B- |
64-68% |
C+ |
60-64% |
C |
56-60% |
C- |
52-56% |
D+ |
48-52% |
D |
44-48% |
D- |
<44% |
F |
Special
Needs:
If you have any special needs or disabilities that
might require special arrangements to be made for any aspect of this course,
please let me know at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become
aware of them.
1.
Any student eligible for and needing accommodations because
of a disability is requested to speak with the professor during the first two
weeks of class or as soon as the student has been approved for services so that
reasonable accommodations can be arranged.
2.
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons
with documented disabilities. Students should apply for services at the
Center for Disability Services/SNAP located on the first floor of the Lightsey Center, Suite 104. Students approved for
accommodations are responsible for notifying me as soon as possible and for
contacting me one week before accommodation is needed.
3.
This College abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a documented
disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which
you may require accommodations, please see an administrator at the Center of
Disability Services/SNAP, (843) 953-1431) or me so that such accommodation may
be arranged.
Class
Policies:
Cellular
technology: Please respect your
classmates and keep your cellular devices off.
College
of Charleston Honor Code and Academic Integrity:
Lying,
cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code
that, when identified, are investigated.
Each incident will be examined to determine the degree of deception
involved.
Incidents
where the instructor determines the student-s actions are related more to a misunderstanding
will be handeled by the instructor. A written intervention designed to help
prevent the student from repeating the error will be given to the student. The intervention, submitted by form and signed
both by the instructor and the student, will be forwarded to the Dean of Students
and placed in the student-s file.
Cases
of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported directly by the instructor
and/or others having knowledge of the incident to the Dean of Students. A student found responsible by the Honor
Board for academic dishonesty will receive a XF in the course, indicating
failure of the course due to academic dishonesty. This grade will appear on the student-s
transcript for two years after which the student may petition for the X to be
expunged. The F is permanent. The student may also be placed on
disciplinary probation, suspended (temporary removal) or expelled (permanent
removal) from the College by the Honor Board.
Students
should be aware that unauthorized collaboration--working together without
permission-- is a form of cheating.
Unless the instructor specifies that students can work together on an
assignment, quiz and/or test, no collaboration during the completion of the
assignment is permitted. Other forms of
cheating include possessing or using an unauthorized study aid (which could
include accessing information via a cell phone or computer), copying from
others- exams, fabricating data, and giving unauthorized assistance.
Research
conducted and/or papers written for other classes cannot be used in whole or in
part for any assignment in this class without obtaining prior permission from
the instructor.
Students
can find the complete Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook at http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/honor-system/studenthandbook/index.php