Astronomy 106 Spring 1995
Dr. John Wallin
Astronomy 106 Options
Introduction
Welcome to Astronomy 106! This course is designed to give
you an overview of the sky, stars, galaxies, the universe
and the scientific
method. It has been designed for non-science majors who
wish to gain a better understanding of the universe around
them. A mathematical background of approximately high-school
algebra will be assumed in this course. Astronomy 106 is
the second in a two semester introductory sequence about the
universe. Astronomy 105 is NOT a prerequesite for
Astronomy 106.
Evaluation
There will be three major tests during the semester and a final
exam In addition to these three exams, there will be at least
4 surpise quizzes during the semester. A weekly
Lab Section is a required part of the course.
In the lab, you will be given assignments to reinforce the material
covered in the lecture portion of the course.
Class Material
The material covered in the class will be defined by the lectures.
We will be closely following the book Astronomy Today
by Chaisson and McMillian, but additional material may be brought
in from other sources. During the lectures, I will clarify
and emphasis the important points in the text.
Academic Honor Policy
You are encouraged to study and work together on homework
and laboratory assignments. On the midterm exams, final
exam, and quizzes, you must work alone. If you are caught
cheating during test, you will be brought before the
academic honor council. If you are found guilty, this
may be entered in your transcript and could result in you
failing the class.
Makeup Policy
There is no makeup available for the surprise quizzes
given during the semester. To take the final exam at
an alternative time, you need to get permission in advance
from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and
from Dr. Wallin. One makeup lab will be scheduled
for students. No other lab makeups will be allowed,
except under extraordinary circumstances. There will
be no schedule makeup exams for the midterms. Students
missing the midterms may be given the opportunity to
take an alternative version of the test IF there are
extraordinary circumstances.
Graded Work for Astronomy 106
The following is a list of points for the class
Total possible points = 360.
Each surprise quiz is worth 10 points, and the lowest score
will be dropped. There will be no makeup for the surprise
quizzes under any circumstances.
Grading Scale
This year, there is a fixed scale for grades. I may
adjust downward if the tests are unusually difficult.
I will not adjust them upward.
I expect about half the students in this class to get
A's or B's. I also expect about 10 or 15 percent of the
students to fail.
Exam Schedule
In addition to the surprize quizzes during the semester,
there are a total for four exams. Three of these exams
are scheduled during class time. The final is scheduled
during finals week.
- Exam #1- February 23, 1995 (Thursday)
- EM spectrum, the Sun, measuring the
Stars, Interstellar Medium, and the HR diagram.
Reading: pp. 62-100, 365-432
Lectures 1-9
- Exam #2- March 30, 1995 (Thursday)
- Stellar Formation, Evolution, Supernova, Nova,
Black Holes and Neutron Stars.
Reading: pp. 433-519
Lectures 10-16
- Exam #3- May 2, 1995 (Tuesday)
- The Galaxy, Normal Galaxies, AGN's, Quasars, and
Cosmology
Reading: 520-635
Lecture 17-24
- Final Exam- May 16 - 1:30 pm
- Comprehensive FINAL, including Life in the Universe.
All reading assignments during the semester.
Lectures 1-25