Physics

1

1 OVERVIEW

Purpose

Welcome! This course focuses on our Solar System, its future, and our exploration of

it--including the search for life. You will also be introduced to astronomical observing,

and the practice of science.

Lectures

Physical Sciences Room PS 141 TR 10:30a-11:45a

Coursework Return

Graded projects and exams will be returned in class the first week after they were due

or administered. If you don't retrieve them in class, obtain them from the astronomy

Teaching Assistants, either during their office hours or by appointment.

Astro Web Page

Announcements, TA information, test statistics, and sky viewing dates will be posted

on the Astro Web Page at http://www.physicscourses.okstate.edu/shull/index.html. Check it

often! Copies of course handouts and study aids are also downloadable from there.

Professor

Dr. Peter Shull pos@okstate.edu 405-744-5785

Office Hours: in PS 150, TWR 9:30a-10:20a, or by appointment

Teaching Assistants

The two astronomy TAs' names, e-mail addresses, and office hours are posted on the

Astro Web Page. Visit them in basement room PS 052 during their office hours to get

help with your weekly projects and to collect any graded projects and exams you didn't

pick up in class. Set up appointments if you cannot make their office hours.

Sky Viewings

Optional sky viewings will be scheduled during the semester. Details will be

announced in class and on the Astro Web Page.

Required Texts

Astronomy, 6th edition, by Dinah Mochй, ISBN 0-471-26518-7

Exploring the Universe with Voyager III, 2007-08 edition ("star trails" cover), ISBN 1-426-

62970-2, by Brian Monson and Peter Shull

Books and Magazines of Interest (most available in the OSU library)

Norton's Star Atlas, 20th edition, ed. Ian Ridpath, Pi Press (great star charts)

Observer's Handbook 2007, ed. Patrick Kelly, U. of Toronto Press (the year's events)

Three popular, monthly magazines: Astronomy, Night Sky, and Sky & Telescope

2 GRADING

Point Values

Up to 1000 points can be earned as listed below. Unannounced, extra-credit quizzes

may be given from time to time. Note that we drop the lowest two projects.

2

Comprehensive final exam 300 pts

3 one-hour exams @ 150 pts each 450 pts

Top 10 of 12 weekly projects @ 25 pts each 250 pts

Grading Scale

Semester grades will be assigned according to the tentative point scale below. These

grade "floors" may be shifted slightly upward or downward for the sake of fairness.

A: 750 pts B: 650 pts C: 550 pts D: 450 pts

Project and test scores are reported as percentages. It is easy to convert percentages to

points. For example, 60% on a project equals 60% Ч 25 pts = 0.60 Ч 25 pts = 15 pts.

To predict your semester grade at any time, use the equation below to estimate your

semester point total, then refer to the grading scale above.

Point prediction = (average project %) Ч (250 pts) + (average exam %) Ч (750 pts)

For example, if your project average is 80% and your exam average is 60%, your point

estimate is 650 points, which is a B. Warning: not doing any projects will typically

yield a semester grade of D or F. Why? Although the exams are worth 750 points, the

average exam score is 60% (450 points, just barely a D).

Make-up Policy

NO MAKE-UP OR EXTRA-CREDIT WORK OF ANY KIND WILL BE GIVEN. If you

anticipate any problems not covered by the following provisions, discuss your situation

with Dr. Shull in advance. (1) Your two lowest project scores are automatically dropped,

and projects may be submitted early. (2) If an unexpected emergency causes you to

miss an exam, contact Dr. Shull immediately. If you present him acceptable

documentation (such as a physician's note), your score for one missed exam will be set

equal