ASTR101: Introductory Astronomy General Info (BLENDED FORMAT) Montgomery College Germantown Campus Physical Sciences Department

Transcription

1 ASTR101: Introductory Astronomy General Info (BLENDED FORMAT) Montgomery College Germantown Campus Physical Sciences Department Instructor: Dr. Mike Chu, Office HT 320 (T) Department: (240) Lectures/Discussion/Laboratory: Check Schedule for information *Co-Instructor: Dr. Alin Tolea, Office HT 320 Course Text: Office Hours: Michael A Seeds & Dana Backman, Horizons: Exploring the Universe, 11th Edition, Brooks/Cole CENGAGE Learning, ISBN: Before and after class Course Description (from Montgomery College Class Catalog) A basic introduction to astronomy that emphasizes appreciation of the earth's relationship to the universe. The basic laws of physics as they apply to astronomy are covered along with telescopes and data collection and analysis techniques utilized by astronomers. Also covered are the evolution of stars, the solar system, galaxies, and the origin and evolution of the universe. Laboratory sessions, both computer-based and other, give practical applications to material covered in lectures. Two nighttime observing sessions are also included. (NSLD) PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in MA 094, appropriate score on the mathematics placement test, or consent of department. Assessment level: EN 101/101A. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory, one hour discussion each week. (**Note that as a blended format the course organization has changed some components of lectures, labs and discussions will be conducted online) Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: o Classify the stars using its spectra. o Describe the composition, method of energy production, origin, and evolution of the Sun. o Describe the origin of the stars, interstellar medium, and the life cycle of the various categories of stars. o Describe the various bodies that are found in the solar system. o Determine the lifetime of different stars. o Explain and apply Hubble s method of classifying different galaxies. o Explain how a telescope works and how to use one to observe various objects in the sky. o Explain the Big Bang theory and calculate the age of the universe. o Explain the importance of Kepler s laws of motion and then solve simple problems dealing with planetary motion. o Explain the spectroscopy and how it is used in the study of the universe. o Explain the structure and composition of the Milky Way Galaxy. 1

2 Added Course Outcomes: Explain sky motions of sun, moon, and also various common visible objects in the night sky Explain the relation of Earth to Sun and how seasons and various annual cycles arise Grading: For Fall & Spring Semesters: Online Quizzes: 20% Learning Exercises: 10% Labs: 20% *Discussions and Participation: 5% Presentation (~Mid-Semester): 10% Mid-Term & Final (15% +25%): 40% *Long Presentation & Misc Bonus (Optiona) +5-10% For Summer Only: Online Quizzes: 20% Learning Exercises: 10% Labs: 25% Discussions and Participation: 5% Mid-Term & Final (15% +25%): 40% *Long Presentation & Misc Bonus (Optiona) +5-10% The final grade will be assigned based on the following suggested scales: (A 90%), (B 80%), (C 70%), (D 60%), and (F < 60%) Guidelines: 1. Makeup Mid-Term & Final are not given under any circumstance. 2. Online assignments must be submitted by the due date to receive credit. Discussions: To facilitate interactions and to foster a learning atmosphere online the "Discussions" forum in Blackboard may be utilized. When Discussions become a mandatory semester activity then in each week some questions or topics are posted to engage students in discussions. The weekly discussions are gradable and constitute 5% of overall grade under "participation" category. There are three delivery modes for discussions: A. General and Open Ended Mode A question such as "What do you think can be inside a Black Hole?" or "What would you like NASA to do next?" that intends to lead to lively and entertaining discussions may be posted to elucidate thoughtful responses. Students are expected to post original thoughts as well as to respond to peers. B. Individual Discussion Mode 2

3 Although not the most common nor conducive to learning via "Discussions", when appropriate for a certain week each student will be designated to address a question. This is appropriate for week with many short-answer questions. C. Collaboration Mode The most common discussion type involves a collaboration on a response to a discussion topic posted by the instructor. Specific topics will be assigned to designated teams each with 2 or 3 members to respond on "Discussions". A designated Lead for each team will provide initial discussion with team members on how the questions are to be answered. Refer to Syllabus, Orientation Guide or posted information in each Discussions thread for grading criteria. The collaboration can take the following suggested format: 1. An interactive Conversation in which the Lead initiates the first message to be followed by other team members leading to the answer. 2. A Lead-Follow format where the Lead post responses in parts and ask each team member to confirm and to provide support. 3. A Division of Labor in which each team members address a specific set or parts of the questions, with (mandatory) confirmation by all other team members. The Lead should consult all members and post information on who is to answer the designated part. Grading Criteria per each weekly discussions: 5 You made clear, correct and thoughtful responses to the topics as well as to the learning of your peers 4 You made responses and follow-ups response that are clear and helpful 3 You made responses and follow-ups that are simple and minimal 2 You made some posts but missing some important or required elements, such as missing the follow up or possessing very little correct or useful information 1 You made one post with almost no useful information or comment 0 You did not post any message or any comprehensible message Classroom Policies: Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. If you have more than two unexcused absences during the semester, you may be dropped from the class. More than two unexcused absences from lab results in an F for the course. Student Code of Conduct: You are expected to adhere to the Academic Regulations and the Student Code of Conduct which can be found in Academic Honesty: You are expected to be honest in reporting your laboratory results and when taking any kind of quizzes or tests. Any dishonesty in the classroom such as copying someone else's results or using notes or books during tests, will result in a zero grade and/or failure for the course. Classroom Conduct: You are expected to behave appropriately in an academic setting. Any use of inappropriate language in the classroom will be grounds for disciplinary action. Student Student (montgomerycollege.edu) is an official means of communication for the College. It is expected that you check your student 3

4 regularly and frequently, as you are responsible for information and announcements that will be sent to you from the College. For this class, student will be used only for situations where timing is essential. Most information is discussed in class and all assignments will be turned in as hard copy during regular class times. Support Services: There are several support services available to help you in this course. These are available at the Math Science Learning Center and the Library. A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to see me during my office hours. A letter from Disability Support Services (DSS) authorizing your accommodations will be required. The DSS office is located in room 137 Student Services Pavilion and may be called on (240) Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must inform the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at Veteran Support: If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and you are interested in information regarding opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College website at and/or contact Joanna Starling 240- If /SV103 or Joanna.starling@montgomerycollege.edu. Cancellation of Classes: You will be able to determine the College's operational status during inclement weather or other emergencies through the following means: Check the website at for any announcement of closures or delays, due to inclement weather or other emergencies. Call the College's main phone number, , to hear an updated message, in the event of closures or delays. Tune in to area radio or television stations, including Montgomery College Television, cable channel 10, in Montgomery County. Dozens of commercial radio and TV stations are also notified. Among the stations with most frequent updates are: Television -- NBC Channel 4/WRC; Fox Channel 5/WTTG; Channel 7/WJLA; Channel 9/WUSA; and cable News Channel 8. Radio -- WTOP (1500 AM and FM), WMAL (630 AM), WAMU (88.5 FM). In Frederick area, check WFMD/WFRE. You may also sign up for Montgomery College ALERT to receive college closing information. You must set up an account through the Montgomery County Alert Montgomery emergency communication system. Access to Alert Montgomery through its Web site at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov. 4

5 Technology Requirements General Requirements and Remote Online Access You are required to have online access for online quizzes, assignments and other posted tasks. Additionally you will need MS PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Free applications OpenOffice or LibreOffice are excellent free alternatives. You are also required to activate your Montgomery College account for communication with the instructor on official issues. A Discussion forum in Blackboard is also available, and is appropriate when posing questions about assignments and learning materials. Firefox You will need to use an UPDATED Firefox browser! Blackboard remains a glitchy built for many browsers. Absolutely do not use Internet Explorer. You may use Chrome but occasional glitches are still reported. Let your instructor know all browser issues. Stellarium Stellarium is a multi-functional, FREE and open-source application for simulation of sky objects and their motions. It is a cross-platform on the 3 major OSs: Windows, Mac OS and Linux. Go to to get the appropriate built for your computer. The application is also available for smart phones and devices running ios or Android. It charges a small fee but insignificant nevertheless. (Your instructor is testing the app) Stellarium in Mac OS will face security blocking with a message like This is an application not approved by Apple. The fix is the following: Go to System Preferences, Security & Privacy, and select the appropriate box to allow external application. You may also see a specific allowance box for Stellarium. Just check that to allow. BlackBoard Collaborate (with Talk ) Collaborate is a built-in function within your Blackboard for online communication and collaborative work, in both real-time as well as for pre-recorded sessions. Your instructor has to set up the tool link and to create the designated-time sessions.! Go to your BlackBoard! Go to BlackBoard Collaborate tool link (should be placed in the left panel)! Under SCHEDULED SESSIONS, find the link to the specific Collaborate session! Click on Launch Room A window then will launch. The process may take you through some launching or installation steps, and ask for permissions. Once in Collaborate session, your instructor as the session moderator and will control the session, set permissions, etc. (You may need to run Audio Setup Wizard under Tools. Make sure to choose the right output in your PC/laptop sound setting such as stereo ) If all else fails!skype Username for Voice Communication: mikestarchus BlackBoard Collaborate has been tested for message chat, audio talk, video cam, and application sharing. It has been shown to work for Windows, Ubuntu Linux and Mac OS. Smartphone and device apps are available: you will need Blackboard Mobile and BlackBoard Collaborate. The current smart app versions are limited in capability but good enough for audio communication and receiving instructional display from the moderator. In all cases, test your audio! Use Skype, Facetime or similar application to do so! 5