Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1810 Students Winter 2012
General Astronomy 1
(This syllabus/ROASS is available with working links at Dr. English's
regularly update website
listed below.)
- Contact Information:
- email: Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca
- Home Pages:
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/
- Research Office:
- Allen Room 514 Phone: 474-7105
- Tutorial Hours:
- Allen Room 514, Monday at 2pm.
- Come and ask the professor questions, get tips, etc. (Or email to make an appointment.)
- Location and time TBA.
- Join a group of people to discuss topics in astronomy, whether
they are covered in class or not. The group can change the
date and time.
- Websites:
- -- Dr. English's PHYS 1810 website at
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2012winterphys1810/index.html
- -- Mr. Cameron's website announced at the labs.
- Laboratory Instructor: Mr. Ian Cameron, 474-9785, Ian_Cameron@umanitoba.ca
- (Updated Feb 28, 2012.)
Continually check the class website for updates about, for example,
test reviews, topics, and schedules.
Synopsis:
The topics covered in this course outline the properties of stars
and galaxies that can be observed and the physics necessary to
interpret these observations. It includes a brief introduction to
planets, exotic stars, and cosmology. Using lectures and
laboratory sections, it provides an astronomy background and
introduction to the scientific method. It ranges from introductory
physical background to considering current research problems. This
course is mainly descriptive, taught at a qualitative level, with
simple arithmetic and trigonometry used frequently. A few special
sessions at Glenlea Observatory and the Lockhart Planetarium introduce
the student to constellations and scientific method.
Topics in general are listed below and the more Detailed Topic Outline will be updated at
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2012winterphys1810/phys1810sched.html
as the course progresses.
Textbook :
- Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan, the 7th
Edition.
- IClicker - a classroom response system keypad. Available at the
bookstore. Will be used for in-class participation quizzes.
- For the laboratory and assignments: Items to be described by Mr. Cameron.
Note that the textbook is secondary to the material covered in lectures.
(The following provide links to material when viewed
in a browse r at the class website.)
- Astronomy
Picture of the Day
Many images used in the class come from this site. Check the archive.
- Supplemental
Resource Links. Please check the supplemental resource site
regularly since additional links will appear as the course
progresses. Some of the material may be on tests and the exam.
Links to Study Methods
Grading
The final grade consists of the following components:
- 40% based on 2 term tests (20% each).
- 5% based on "iclicker" participation in-class.
- 30% based on the final examination (2 hours).
- 25% based on laboratory exercises, one evening observing
assignment at the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory, and one observing project.
In order to receive a grade for missed or
late assignments, these must be submitted by the next laboratory
session. Contact Mr. Cameron for details.
Test Information
Instead of focusing on the textbook, tests and the final exam will be
based on material presented in the lecture.
In-class "iclicker" quizzes.
When: Questions will be asked in every class starting Jan. 9th, except for days with term tests.
Value: 5% in total over the whole term.
Term tests
There will be 2 term tests.
- Duration: 50 minutes each
- Location: in the classroom
- Value: Each test is worth 20%. Together they are 40% of the total mark
for the course.
There will be no deferred term test under any circumstance.
In the case that
a doctor's note provides a reason for missing a test (illness, funeral, etc.),
then a mark for the test will be assessed from the final exam.
- Tentatively Scheduled Dates:
Test 1: Friday, February 3, 2012
Here is a review of information for the
first test
Test 2: Friday, March 9, 2012
Here is a review of information for the second test
- No programmable calculators or textbooks allowed.
Note: cell phones, pagers, PDAs, MP3 units or electronic translators
are explicitly listed as unauthorized materials, and must not be present
during tests or examinations.
Final Examination:
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Held during the exam period at the end of the winter term; that is,
between April 9-23rd. These details are decided by the
administration (not the instructors) and posted close to the date.
- Value: Test is worth 30%.
Deferred exams are arranged by the student with their faculty, not
with the instructor of the course.
- The exam topics will be listed in the
detailed topics outline. It will
cover the material that follows the material covered on
the second term test.
- There will be a number of images and several math questions.
No programmable calculators or textbooks allowed.
- Approximately 50-60 multiple choice questions, including True/False.
- Note: cell phones, pagers, PDAs, MP3 units or electronic translators
are explicitly listed as unauthorized materials, and must not be present
during tests or examinations.
Also see "supplemental material" list above.
- Want to test your basic skills in algebra and fractions? Try these
SAT practice tests.
Tentative Topic Outline:
Constellations, eclipses, and other features of the observable night
sky will be covered in the tutorial and lab sections using the Robert
J. Lockhart Planetarium and the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory.
(See Mr. Cameron's
Observing
Sessions website.)
Material from parts of the following chapters, along with additional
material, will be presented in class. Planets, planet formation,
gravitational lensing and cosmology
| Topic | References |
| Overview and Mathematics Background
| Chapter 1 |
| Distances in Astronomy and Charting the Heavens |
Chapter 1; the Planetarium |
| Gravity | Chapter 2.7 |
| Radiation, Spectroscopy and an Overview of
Telescopes | Chapters 3, 4, 5 |
| Our Solar System System | Chapter 6 |
| Other Planetary Systems | Chapter 15 |
| Stars and Stellar Evolution | Chapters 16-21 |
| A Brief Introduction to Black Holes | Chapter 22 |
| The Milky Way Galaxy | Chapter 23 |
| Hubble Classification and Hubble's Law | Chapter 24 |
| Galaxies and Dark Matter | Chapter 25 |
| An Introduction to Cosmology | Chapter 26 |
| Other topics of the Class's Interest | Supplemental material |
will be posted at http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2012winterphys1810/phys1810sched.html as the class progresses.
Academic Policies
The Faculty of Science asks us to inform you that academic dishonesty
has serious consequences. To learn how to avoid fraud, plagarism, and inappropriate collaboration,
as well as the consequences
please visit:
Academic Dishonesty Guidelines and Penalties at
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/undergrad/resources/webdisciplinedocuments.html
Penalities for Academic Dishonesty. at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/resources/Discipline__Penalties_Table_Jul09.pdf
The Student Discipline ByLaw may be accessed http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/students/868.htm
Student Affairs also has a page:
Honesty and Integrity at http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/index.html
How to avoid cheating and plagiarism -- take the Academic Honesty Quiz
at http://umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/academic_honesty_quiz.html
And see the Course Credit and Changes to Fee Cancellation Policy and Practices document (last 2 sections).
Want to do more astronomy? Specific Courses are:
Want to do more astronomy? Then check out:
The Astronomy Path in the Physics and Astronomy Program
Scroll down to the astronomy stream outline at
http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar10/faculties/science/physics/
The full honours program is at :
The Astronomy Path in the Physics and Astronomy Program