Home,Syllabus, Access Observations, Lectures
Dr. Marcus Alfred
Thirkield Hall, room 202
202-806-6258
bisonphysics@yahoo.com
Office Hours: 8-9am, 6-7M
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The topics we will cover include much of introductory material about our solar system, astronomical instruments, stellar evolution, galaxies, and cosmology. The class will include lecture, online activities, and observation activities.
COURSE GOALS
Students should observe and describe phenomena related to astronomy and astrophysics
Students will understand astronomy/astrophysics as a science
Students will understand research process
Students will connect science class work to research on campus
Students will become aware of research opportunities
Students will connect the science & engineering work of African Americans to a broader African American cultural experience
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will define astronomy and astrophysics terms
Students will recognize common astronomy and astrophysics methods and techniques
Students will observe example phenomena of astronomy and astrophysics concepts
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Short answer questions
Online videos and essays
Observations
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
Course prerequisite or corequisite: None
Attendance: There are three 50 minute blocks of time associated with the class each. One block will be a recorded lecture. A second block will be an online quiz, and a third block will be evening/morning observation or alternative assignment.
Quizzes: There will be weekly quizzes during the semester. Quizzes are cumulative and will be based on basic multiple choice questions. You will have a one week window to complete each quiz. If you miss the window, you will get a zero for that quiz.
Exams: The midterm exam is worth 20% of your grade. The final exam is worth 30% of your grade. The midterm can be taken anytime during week 7(the week before spring break). The final will be available at the beginning of the 14th week.
Grades: A student's grades in the class are based on a composition of 20% quizzes, 30% observations, and 50% for the exams. Grades are based on a 90, 80, 70, 60, standard scoring.
Observations:: All observations will be done in the evening or morning virtually. The day of observations will change each week depending on the weather. If you cannot make an observation, an alternative online activity and quiz question will be provided.
Cheating: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Please refer to the Howard University Handbook (H - book) for university guidelines on cheating. No talking under any circumstances is permitted during an exam. If help is needed simply contact the instructor. In addition, only a pencil is required for all exams; notebooks, calculators, and scratch paper will not be needed.
Textbook: Your textbook for this class is available for free online! If you prefer, you can also get a print version at a very low cost.
Your book is available in web view and PDF for free. You can also choose to purchase on iBooks (it comes in two volumes) or get a print version via the campus bookstore or from OpenStax on Amazon.com.
You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device. If you buy on Amazon, make sure you use the link on your book page on openstax.org so you get the official OpenStax print version. (Simple printouts sold by third parties on Amazon are not verifiable and not as high-quality.)
Astronomy from OpenStax, Print ISBN 1938168283, Digital ISBN 1947172247, www.openstax.org/details/astronomy
General Policies: All lectures and recitations may be videotaped and NOT made available to the general public. Also, turn off your cell phones during lectures. It is a distraction to your instructors and your fellow students.
Howard University is committed to providing an educational environment that is accessible to all students. In accordance with this commitment, students in need of accommodations due to a disability should contact the Office of the Dean for Special Student Services for verification and determination of reasonable accommodations as soon as possible after admission to the University, or at the beginning of each academic semester.
Only students whose names appear on the official course roster are permitted to attend classes. Students who are not registered are not permitted to attend or participate in course activities, do not have access to Blackboard, cannot submit course assignments, and will not receive a grade for this course. It is the students' responsibility to ensure that they are properly registered by the published registration deadline. Requests to add courses after the deadline will not be considered.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 : Chapter 1: Science and the Universe, Selected sections of Chapter 4: Earth, Moon, and Sky and, parts of Chapter 3, Orbits and Gravity]
Week 2 : Chapter 5. Radiation and Spectra
Week 3 : Chapter 6. Astronomical Instruments
Week 4 : Chapter 7. Introduction to the Solar System
Week 5 : Chapter 9. The Moon (omitting Mercury)
Week 6 : Chapter 10. Venus and Mars
Week 7 : Chapter 11. Giant Planets
Week 8: Spring Break
Week 9 : Chapter 14. Origin of Solar System [do Section 3 on the Formation of the Solar System only]
Week 10 : Chapter 16-19. The Sun and Characteristics of Stars [sections 17.2 and 18.3 omitted]
Week 11 : Chapter 21. The Birth of Stars and the Discovery of Planets
Week 12 : Chapter 22-24. Stellar Evolution & Black Holes
Week 13 : Chapter 25,26. The Milky Way & Galaxies
Week 14 : Chapter 28,29. Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies & Cosmology
Week 14-15 : Final exam