Master Syllabus for ASTR 1303

 [Instructors may add to this syllabus as desired.  Do not delete the parts that outline Official ACC Policy!  See the GENERAL SYLLABUS GUIDELINES for more information about what is optional and what is required.]

 

ASTR 1303:  STELLAR  ASTRONOMY

Instructor:  (Instructor name)  

Semester (Ex: Fall 2005)

 

CLASS TIME:  (Ex:Monday/Wednesday, 1:25-2:40pm) CLASS LOCATION:  (Ex:Cypress 1055)	COURSE NAME & SYNONYM: (Ex:12345 PHYS 1312 Lec 001)
E-MAIL:  Instructor’s email address WEB PAGE:   Instructor’s web page address	PHONE:  Instructor’s contact phone number VOICE MAIL:   Instructor’s voice mail number, if different
OFFICE HOURS: Instructor’s office hours OFFICE LOCATION:  Instructor’s office hours location

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: (This is modified from the description in the course catalog. Instructor may add or delete as desired. See Course Topics for required coverage.)

Welcome!  Stellar astronomy is a study of stars, galaxies, and the universe. It includes discussion of atomic spectra, nuclear energy, and astronomical tools (such as optical, radio, and other telescopes and image enhancers) as they provide knowledge about distant objects. Recent discoveries about quasars, black holes, and cosmology will be emphasized. The course prerequisites are MATD 0390 (Intermediate Algebra) or one year of high school algebra or the equivalent. One year of high school science is recommended, but not required.

 

TEXT: (Information about other required materials should be included here.)

We will be using  Astronomy Today, 5^th Edition- Chaisson & McMillan

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: (This is partially from the catalog and partially based on how the instructor plans to teach. Instructor may add or delete as desired.)

This course is a lecture-based course which includes time for class discussions, demonstrations, student projects and/or activities guided by the instructor. 

 

COURSE RATIONALE: (This is partially from the catalog and partially based on how the instructor plans to teach. Instructor may add or delete as desired.)

This course is an introduction to Stellar Astronomy, a college-level science course intended to help students fulfill degree requirements in science. Since our courses are intended for transfer to a four-year institution, they will be taught at the University level.

 

COURSE GOALS and OBJECTIVES: (The Physical Sciences Task Force has no official goals and objectives for any courses.  Here the instructor should articulate a few personal goals (things you want to accomplish) and objectives (things students will do to show they have accomplished the goals). An example is given. The instructor should prepare specific objectives and outcomes of their own.)  

I hope you are taking this course because you are interested in astronomy.  When you have finished this course, I hope you have a life-long interest in astronomy and a deeper understanding of it and of science in general which will be an asset to you, individually, and to our society.  The following objectives may be accomplished if you do the required work, take part in class activities, and get help when you need it.  Please talk to me if you are having problems with the material.

 

Students will understand some basic concepts in astronomy.

Students will be able to communicate these concepts clearly.

Students will be able to use algebra to solve simple problems.

Students will understand scientific reasoning and its relationship to current astronomical knowledge.

Students will be able to understand current astronomical news and events.

Students will be able to make informed decisions about scientific programs and information in their daily lives.

 

GRADING: (The instructor must describe in detail how the students' grades will be determined.  See “Course Guidelines for Astronomy”. Three to five exams are recommended, including a final, not required to be comprehensive. The exams must count at least 60% of the total grade.  At least 20% of the total grade should come from other assessment instruments such as homework, projects, papers, and quizzes.  No more than 10% of the grade may come from participation, attendance, or extra credit work.)

 

 

                Exams                                                                                                                     (At least 60% of grade)

                Quizzes (?%), Homework (?%), Project (?%)                                                (At least 20% of grade)

                Participation & Extra Credit Work                                                                     (No more than 10% of grade)

A = 90-100,  B = 80-89,  C = 70-79,  D = 60-69,  F < 60

 

               

COURSE POLICIES: (Instructor should include attendance, withdrawal, incomplete and discipline procedures here.  The sections on Scholastic Dishonesty and Students with Disabilities are ACC policies and must be included. Any other policies the instructor may wish to include, such as make-up policy, safety policies, etc may be included here as well.)

 

Attendance, Withdrawals, Incompletes: (Attendance -- Policy left up to instructor. Withdrawals and Incompletes -- Physical Sciences Department policy is that instructors will not withdraw students or grant incompletes  except in the most extreme circumstances.  If instructors institute an attendance requirement, they may withdraw students for excessive unexcused absences. In all circumstances, extensive documentation of reasons will be required.  Mention the withdrawal date for the semester.  An example is given.)

 Attendance is important and expected.  The instructor reserves the right to withdraw students who have more than four unexcused absences.  The instructor may also withdraw students for failure to meet course objectives, but makes no commitment to do so.  After the withdrawal date each semester, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal. That date is (Add Date) this semester. Students are responsible to initiate withdrawals by this date if they so choose.

 

The grade of  “I” (for incomplete) may be given by an instructor for a course in which a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade. Incomplete grades will rarely be given, and only if the student has taken all exams, is passing, and has a personal tragedy occur after the last date to withdraw that prevents course completion.  See the ACC catalog for more information on Incompletes.  

 

 

Scholastic Dishonesty:  Official ACC Policy (cannot be altered)  Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

 

 

Academic Freedom:  (Policy left up to instructor.  Other examples can be found among the sample syllabi.)

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression.  In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions.  Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions.  This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks. Grades will not be affected by personal views. However, instructors will judge student work based upon its relation to the current state of mainstream scientific fact and theory.  

 

 

Student Discipline:  (Policy left up to instructor.)  Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. Matters of student disciple will be adjudicated by the instructor on a case-by-case basis, in conjunction with the Department Chair or Dean.  Students may consult with the Office of Student Services or the Associate Dean at their campus on these matters.  ACC's policy on student discipline can at http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm

Students with Disabilities:  Official ACC Policy (cannot be altered)  Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

 

Safety: (Policy left up to instructor. Some activities may require safety training.  See the website http://www2.austincc.edu/sci_safe/. or contact the science safety officer.) Health and safety are paramount values in science classrooms, laboratories and field activities. You areexpected to learn, understand and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow the ACC science safety policy. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day's activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. You can read the complete ACC science safety policy at: http://www2.austincc.edu/sci_safe/.

 

Student Handbook, Student Services, Instructional Services, Learning Labs and Testing Center websites: 

The ACC student handbook can be found at:  http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/.

The web address for student services is:  http://www.austincc.edu/rss/index.htm.

The web address is for Instructional Services is:  http://www3.austincc.edu/evpcss/newsemester/pdfs/ssover.pdf

The Learning Labs have free tutoring.  The website is http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/

ACC Testing Center policies can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/      

 

COURSE OUTLINE and CALENDAR:            (Policy left up to instructor. An example is given.  Instructor should develop his/her own description which must include an outline of the topics covered in the course as well as a calendar of major events (such as tests and due dates).  Instructors are encouraged to include a disclaimer that some aspects of the schedule may be subject to change.)

The calendar we will follow is on the following page.  Please try to read the material before coming to class so you can ask questions and take part in classroom discussions.  Reading and homework assignments (including extra credit opportunities) will be given for each section.  Homework for the section is due the day of the corresponding test.

                Current astronomy news will be discussed in each class period and it will be covered on tests and quizzes.  Each student will be assigned to bring in news at least once, but anyone may share astronomy news on any day.  You can find astronomy news in the newspaper, current magazines, on various TV shows, and on several Internet sites.

                Everyone will do a research project.  The topics and their due dates will be assigned during the first week of classes. Your research should expand on some aspect of your topic that is not covered, or not covered fully, in the book.  You will be responsible for some sort of presentation of your research--a lecture, a demonstration, an art project, a video, etc.--along with an explanation. It is also important to try to involve the class in some way.  A handout with more information on what is expected on the project is included with this syllabus.

                The exams will cover about three chapters each.  They will occur on February 6, March 6, April 10, and May 8 (tentative dates).  There will be an optional comprehensive final given near the end of the semester.  If you choose to take the final and then do better on it than on one of the previous exams, it will replace the lowest test grade.  You must have taken all previous exams in order to do this.  The final will not replace a zero from a skipped test. 

There will rarely be make-up exams.  Contact me before the test (email or phone, if you can’t find me in person) to avoid receiving a zero if there is an unavoidable emergency.

 

 

 

(Course Calendar)

 

Some instructors include a Syllabus Contract to be signed and returned by the student affirming that they have the required prerequisites, that they have read the syllabus and that they will abide by its provisions.