DR. SUSAN STOLOVY ASTRONOMY 25 SYLLABUS FOR FALL 2015, EL CAMINO COLLEGE

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1 DR. SUSAN STOLOVY ASTRONOMY 25 SYLLABUS FOR FALL 2015, EL CAMINO COLLEGE Section 1065, M, W 2:45-4:10 pm sstolovy@elcamino.edu Office: Physics 104D, phone: x 3233 Office Hours: (subject to change): T 2:15-3:45pm, Th 12:00-12:30pm, F: 11am-12pm Office hours may be held near my office (in the common area inside Physics 104) or in a classroom in the physics building. Since these office hours will typically have physics students coming, I may additionally be available in the planetarium shortly after class for questions. Course Description Welcome to the amazing world of astronomy! Astronomy 25 is an introduction to the Universe and its history, from the Big Bang to the present and future. We will explore how astronomers learn about stars and galaxies and will examine the life histories of sun-like and massive stars. We will learn about exotic objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. We will discuss the structure of our Milky Way galaxy and will learn about the types and distribution of galaxies in the Universe. We will discuss the origin of the Universe, the fate of the Universe, and the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life. An advantage of having the class in the planetarium is that we will also make use of the planetarium projector to learn more about the motions of objects in the sky and to become familiar with the night sky. Weather permitting, you may get a chance to observe through telescopes outside the normal hours of the course. The course will also include updates on current events in astronomy and spacecraft exploration. This course has no astronomy, physics, or math prerequisites; however, students will be using basic high school algebra in the class, and some mathematical concepts will be presented as part of the course material, including exponents, scientific notation, and unit conversions. After working as an astrophysicist for NASA for many years, I am personally thrilled to be teaching astronomy here at El Camino College. REQUIRED MATERIALS 1) The main text is Understanding Our Universe, 2 nd Edition, by Palen, Kay, Smith, and Blumenthal. At the bookstore, you have your choice of bound paperback, looseleaf (cheaper), or ebook. The package also includes access to SmartWork, and on-line access to the material. The looseleaf version needs to be put it into a 3-ring binder. You do not have to bring this text to class. Note that this text covers both Astronomy 20 and 25 material in one volume. 2) The second book is a paperback workbook called Learning Astronomy by Doing Astronomy, by Palen and Larson. It is packaged for no extra charge with the main text in the bookstore. You will be writing in this book and will be asked to bring it to class at times. 3) Binders, folder, notebook, pencils, erasers, pens, paper, ruler. 4) Scantron 882-E forms (with A-E choices) for the 4 exams. They are available for purchase at the bookstore. It is your responsibility to bring these for the exams. 5) An inexpensive scientific calculator.

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLASS INFORMATION I will be posting this syllabus, homework assignments and announcements on my faculty webpage. Go to: and click on Astronomy 25 on the left menu. Do not rely on electronic announcements, however. You must come to class to know everything that is going on in the class, including due dates for assignments. SmartWork, an educational website with software tied to the book, will be available to students who have purchase the electronic access code. It is the intent that every student has this, however, as this is a first time adoption, I will announce how we will be using it as the course progresses. GRADES You will be assessed on your performance on exams, quizzes, homework, and projects. In addition, there will be opportunities to earn extra credit. EXAMS: There will be 4 exams. You may bring one standard 3x5 index card with your own handwritten notes on it to each exam. You must also bring a Scantron form 882-E form. You may not use a cell phone during an exam, even to use the calculator function. You may bring a calculator to the exam, and it is recommended but not required to have one. Each exam is worth 16% of your grade. Your average exam grade is worth 64% of your grade. I do not allow make-up exams unless there is a documented emergency. Let me know well before the exam if you have any conflicts. You get the entire class period to take the exam. IN-CLASS WORK: We will be using the workbook that comes with the textbook for some inclass activities that will enhance your understanding of the material. We will also often go over questions in class that pertain to the lecture or homework. HOMEWORK: Homework assignments will be announced in class and posted on the website. Whether or not homework will be required to be submitted electronically is to be determine. Homework will be due at the BEGINNING of class on the due date announced. Homework may not be collected each week, but you must make sure to do it each week, and to prepare for a possible quiz. If you are unsure how to do the homework, please get help at office hours or from other tutors BEFORE it is due. Attempt to do all you can; it is better to hand in an incomplete assignment rather than nothing at all. No late homework will be accepted. QUIZZES: There will be several quizzes, given near the beginning of class, and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. The quizzes will be based on the homework that is due the same day. PROJECT: Project(s) will be assigned and explained in detail after the first 2 exams, and will be due after the drop deadline, which is Nov. 13.

3 EXTRA CREDIT Opportunities to earn extra credit will be offered several times. You may visit Griffith Observatory and write up a 1 page paper + 1 page of illustrations describing at least 2 things you saw there. You may also earn extra credit for observing projects. OFFICE HOURS If you find that you need help with homework or labs or generally understanding the material, I strongly encourage you to come to my office hours! Many of you may have sailed through high school without needing help, but you may find that college is different, and there s no shame in getting help or clarification from a professor. You may attend any or all of the office hours in my office, Phys 104D, or the common area near the office. If the planetarium is available after class, I may be able to stay for brief time to answer questions. There may also be an astronomy tutor at the Learning Resource Center in the library. CLASS BEHAVIOR Be respectful of me and of other students by not talking while I am talking or while other students that I call on are talking. It is especially important that you not be late to class. Some things you should not do: be absent without explanation, be disruptive or disrespectful in class, or fall asleep in class (try to get at least 6 hours of sleep a night). Please turn your cell phones off or set them to vibrate before class starts. No texting in class. All electronic devices should be off when the lights are down in the planetarium. If you must step out to make or get an urgent call during an exam, you must get permission from the instructor. Astronomy 25 Course Objectives The objective of Astronomy 25 is to give you an insight into the Earth s place in the cosmos. At the end of the course, you will be expected to be able to: 1. Explain the difference between science and pseudo-science. 2. Explain the causes of seasonal variations in the length of the day, the direction of sunrise and sunset, and the amount of solar heating. 3. Explain how astronomers use the properties of light to learn about stars and galaxies. 4. Discuss the effect of the solar cycle on the Earth. 5. Compare different ways astronomers use to measure the distances to the stars. 6. Contrast the life history of a low-mass star with the life history of a high-mass star. 7. Describe the properties of space and time around a black hole. 8. Describe the structure and contents of the Milky Way Galaxy. 9. Compare and contrast the different kinds of galaxies. 10. Show how galaxies are arranged in clusters, walls, and voids. 11. Discuss the process of nuclear fusion, the energy source of stars, and explain where the chemical elements come from. 12. Discuss the evidence for Dark Matter and Dark Energy. 13. Evaluate the significance of the major evidence in favor of the Big Bang theory. 14. Discuss the factors affecting the possibility of intelligent life around another star. 15. Explain the evidence for the expansion of the Universe.

4 Student Learning Objectives By the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Students will be able to apply the Scientific Method to the solution of scientific problems. 2. Students will be able to explain how the study of electromagnetic radiation and astronomical instruments are used to reveal the properties of stars and planets. 3. Students will be able to explain the modern theory of the origin of the Universe (the Big Bang Theory) and discuss the evidence that supports the theory. El Camino s policy regarding students with disabilities can be found at the ECC website: Please let me know if you have a disability so that we can make every effort to accommodate you. GRADING BREAKDOWN Exams: 16% each % of grade Homework...10% of grade Quizzes....10% of grade (drop lowest quiz grade) Projects:...16% of grade Tentative Grade Assignments A: 89% to 100% B: 77% to 88.9% C: 65% to 76.9% D: 50% to 64.9% F: 0% to 51.9% Tentative Schedule. Any updates to this schedule will be announced in class. Note: some chapters may not be covered in entirety, and supplementary materials (including the workbook) will be used occasionally. Exams will be on Wednesdays. Exam 1: 9/23 ( Week 5) Exam 2: 10/21 (Week 9) Exam 3: 11/18 (Week13) Exam 4: 12/9 (Week 16) Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4/5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8/9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12/13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Ch. 1: Our Place in the Universe Ch. 2: Patterns in the Sky Motions of Earth Ch. 3: Laws of Motion Ch. 4: Light and Telescopes Ch. 10: Measuring the Stars Ch. 11: Our Star: The Sun Ch. 12: Evolution of Low-Mass Stars Ch. 13: Evolution of High-Mass Stars Ch. 14: Measuring Galaxies Ch. 15: Our Galaxy: The Milky Way Ch. 16: The Evolution of the Universe Ch. 17: Formation of Structure Ch. 18: Life in the Universe

5 IMPORTANT DATES for Fall 2015: Labor Day Holiday: Mon. Sept. 7 Veteran s Day Holiday: Wed. Nov. 11 Last Day to Drop with a W : Friday, Nov. 13 Thanksgiving Holiday: Thurs. Nov 26-Sunday Nov. 29 Las Day of Semester: Friday, Dec. 11