ASTRONOMY 001

Ticket Number 3048

6:50 – 10:00 P.M. Thursday                                                                                                            Room: Inst-1015

 

Instructor.................... Professor Charles Mallory

Email.......................... charles.mallory@ieee.org

Web Address.............. http://www.TheMalloryFamily.net

This location will contain old quizzes, test, handouts and grades

Office Hours................ Tuesday and Thursday 6:15 PM to 6:50 PM in the instructional building faculty offices

SLO:...................................... Student Learning Outcomes (SLO).

1.   Understanding of the methods astronomers use to explore the natural phenomena of the universe, including observation, hypothesis development, and evaluation of evidence. This understanding will be demonstrated by quizzes and tests and in-class discussions.

2.   Have a working knowledge of the historical development of key astronomical concepts such as the ever-unfolding discovery of our place in the universe, including the latest developments in planetology and cosmology. This knowledge will be demonstrated by quizzes and tests and in-class discussions.

3.   Acquire a sense of social responsibility in areas of environmental concern such as global warming, resource conservation and pollution, as evidenced by in-class discussions.   

Text............................ Horizons Exploring the Universe, by Michael A. Seeds (Please wait until after the first day of class before you purchase the book.)

Class Description:....... This is an introductory course in the general principles of astronomy.  Topics included are the sun, planets, and other members of the solar system; stars, their motions, composition, and evolution; novae, pulsars, quasars and galaxies.

Attendance:................. Attendance will be taken each class meeting and will count for 5% of your final grade.

Quizzes:..................... Quizzes will be given each class meeting, and will count for 20% of your final grade.  The quiz questions will primarily come from the previous class lecture along with some questions from the book.  The quizzes may consist of True/False, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, Matching and Short Answer questions.

Tests:.......................... Tests will be given up to five times during the semester and will count for 30% of your final grade.  The midterm questions will ONLY be taken from the quizzes.  Tests will not be cumulative and will only consist of quiz questions since the previous test.

Final:.......................... The Final will count for 45% of your final grade.  The final questions will ONLY be taken from the tests.  The final will be cumulative and cover all tests and the last quiz.  Failure to take the final exam will result in an automatic fail in the course.

Extra Credit:................ 5% Extra credit will be given to students that attend a planetarium show at the Griffith Observatory.

Grading:..................... Grading will be performed on a semi-modified curve.  The grade you will earn will be based on the following scale:

A         90% - 100%

B         75% -  89%

C         60% -  74%

D         45% -  59%

F          0% -   44%

I guarantee that you will receive at least the above grade if not higher due to modifications of the curve to fit the class performance.

 

Grade Breakdown:                                Attendance         5%

                                                            Quizzes 20%

                                                            Tests                30%

                                                            Final Exam        45%

 

 

 



Tentative Lecture Schedule

Updated October 23rd, 2010

Date

Day

Chap

Material

Pages

Sept 2, 2010

Thursday

Intro

Introduction, Class Description, Syllabus Review

--

1

The Scale of the Cosmos

1-8 (8)

Sept 9, 2010

Thursday

2

The Sky

9-19 (10)

3

Cycles of the Sky

20-41 (21)

Sept 13, 2010

Monday

Last Day to Drop classes without incurring fees or with a refund

Sept 16, 2010

Thursday

4

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

42-67 (25)

Sept 23, 2010

Thursday

Test 1 – Chapters 1, 2, 3 and Introduction (In Class Test)

5

Astronomical Tools

68-91 (23)

6

Atoms and Starlight (1/2)

92-109 (17)

Take Home Quiz, Chapters 4

Sept 24, 2010

Friday

Last Day to Drop without receiving a “W”

Sept 30, 2010

Thursday

In class quiz will cover chapter 5

6

Atoms and Starlight (2/2)

92-109 (17)

7

The Sun – Our Star

110-131 (21)

8

Properties of Stars

132-155 (23)

Oct 7, 2010

Thursday

In class quiz will cover chapters 6, 7 & 8

9

The Formation and Structure of Stars

156-181 (25)

10

The Death of Stars

182-206 (24)

Oct 14, 2010

Thursday

Test 2 – Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (In Class Test)

11

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

207-227(20)

Take Home Quiz, Chapters 9 & 10

Oct 21, 2010

Thursday

No Class - Instructor Ill

Oct 28, 2010

Thursday

12

The Milky Way Galaxy

228-253 (25)

13

Galaxies

254-275 (21)

14

Galaxies with Active Nuclei

276-294 (18)

In class quiz will cover chapter 11

Nov 4, 2010

Thursday

15

Cosmology

295-321 (26)

16

The Origin of the Solar System

322-344 (22)

In class quiz will cover chapters 12, 13 & 14

Nov 11. 2010

Thursday

Veteran’s Day - HOLIDAY (College CLOSED) - No Class

Nov 18, 2010

Thursday

Test 3 - Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (In Class Test)

17

The Earthlike Planets

345-379 (34)

Take Home Quiz, Chapters 15 & 16

Nov 19, 2010

Friday

Last day to Drop with a “W”

Nov 25, 2010

Thursday

Thanksgiving - HOLIDAY (College CLOSED) - No Class

Dec 2, 2010

Thursday

17

The Earthlike Planets

345-379 (34)

18

Worlds of the Outer Solar System

380-410 (30)

No in class quiz

Dec 9, 2010

Thursday

19

Meteorites, Asteroids and Comets

411-429 (18)

20

Life on Other Worlds

430-450 (20)

Test 4 – Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 (Take Home Test)

Dec 16, 2010

Thursday

Final Exam Chapters 1 - 20

Turn in Take Home Test 4

 

 


Code of Academic Honor and Integrity

Los Angeles Mission College

Departments of Physical and Life Sciences

Students at Los Angeles Mission College, because they are members of an academic community dedicated to the achievement of excellence and the pursuit of honor, are expected to meet high standards of personal, ethical, and  professional conduct. These standards require personal integrity and a commitment to honesty. Without the ability to trust in these principles, an academic community and a civil society cannot exist. Los Angeles Mission College students and faculty are as committed to the development of students with honesty and integrity as they are to the academic and professional success of its students.

The Academic Code of Honor and Integrity is an undertaking of the students, both individually and collectively, that they will:

1.   Not give or receive unpermitted aid during exams, quizzes or assignments

2.   Not give or receive unpermitted aid in assignments, reports or any other course work that is to be used by the instructor as a basis for grading.

3.   Do their share and take an active part in upholding the spirit and letter of the Code of Academic Honor and Integrity.

Some examples of conduct that are regarded as being in violation of the Academic Honor Code include:

·         Copying from another’s examination or quiz, or allowing another to copy from one’s own papers

As a part of the effort to promote and instill an environment of honesty and integrity during quizzes and examinations, the following guidelines will apply for any courses in the Departments of Physical and Life Sciences:

1.   Students will leave all books and all other non-essential items (e.g. paper, electronic devices) on the floor or inside their backpacks so that they are not useable nor block the sight line between professor and student. No electronic devices will be in reach.

2.   Students will not communicate in any way that will dishonorably assist themselves or another student.

3.   Students will leave the room during an exam only if permitted by the professor’s policy.  If permitted, only one student may leave the room at any time and be gone for only the average length of time needed for the stated purpose.  Students will leave all purses, bags, books, phones, jackets, etc., in the classroom during the absence.

4.   Students will promote the spirit and letter of the Code of Academic Honesty and Integrity by dissuading fellow students from dishonest activity and, when such casual persuasion does not work, informing the professor of the possible dishonest activity, either anonymously, or otherwise.

5.   Students will make every effort to avoid the appearance of dishonesty or lack of integrity

Violation of this policy will not be tolerated and violators will be subject to penalties. The success of the Code of Academic Honor and Integrity is based upon the collective desire of students, faculty and the community to live in an environment that embraces respect for that which is right – both in the college and in society as a whole.

I have read and understand the Code of Academic Honor and Integrity and will abide by both its intent and its spirit:

 

Name (print)____________________________        Signature ____________________________ Date _______________