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Astro 128 The Universe for Beginners Printable Version Fall 2008 Sections 5009, 5018 Diablo Valley College Instructor: Karen Castle Office (925) -685-1230 ext. 2832 (answered next business day) Cell 925-209-6317 (yes! Use it) Email inside WebCT or kcastle@dvc.edu Website http://voyager2.dvc.edu/faculty/kcastle/
This course will help you develop an overview of the Universe, its constituents, its appearance and the way we learn about it. You will make observations and do experiments independently and will learn to describe and document the results.
The schedule below identifies the material to study, assignments and due dates. Typically there are two things to do per week. There is an optional introductory meeting the first week of school. We have 3 individual meetings and 3 tests at DVC plus 5 online quizzes, 8 written homework assignments, 8 laboratory experiments and 3 observing projects. Expect to spend at least 12 hours per week for this 4 credit class.
You will be working on your own using written materials to meet deadlines. There is as much help as you like, in person, online or on the phone. But you need to ask. If you are deciding whether to take this class, check out www.dvc.edu/online to see whether online classes are right for you. Look at Quiz 0, HW 1 and Lab 1 to check out the level.
Completion of Math 110, or first year high school algebra, or equivalent. You will be using your mathematics in assignments and tests.
Eligibility for English 122 (Freshman English) is recommended (placement test or completion of English 116 and 118). This class involves reading comprehension and the ability to write grammatical English.
Astronomy 128 is a 4 unit, letter grade only course. You must get at least a C (120 points) in the lab section to pass. Astronomy 128 fulfills the physical science general education requirement INCLUDING a laboratory for UC, CSU and IGETC. There is no need to take a separate astronomy lab class. The student will be able to 1. Summarize the major constituents of the Universe 2. Apply scientific methods and logic used to understand the physical world. 3. Evaluate the limits of our current knowledge 4. Observe selected celestial phenomena 5.Use mathematics and graphical material to reach quantitative and qualitative conclusions materials
Text book , Required. Pathways to Astronomy, Stephen E. Schneider and Thomas T. Arny, Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill. The version that you need has 84 Units. You do not need the ARIS password from the front. You do NOT need the CD. ISBN 978-0073301736
Lab experiment write ups, homework assignments, notes about the book etc. can be reached via the links below.
We use WebCT for quizzes, discussion, and announcements. DVC will give you access shortly after the start of the semester. Turn off your pop-up blocker to take a quiz.
Computer- You need a computer and a printer. Your computer software should include email, Internet access and a browser, a word processor, a spreadsheet program, Acrobat Reader, Flash Player and QuickTime. You can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader and Flash Player from the Adobe Website and QuickTime is available at Apple's site. All are free. The textbook has a website, http://www.mhhe/schneider. Find the interactive exercises and self tests here by clicking the “Resources” button, then looking inside the unit you care about and looking under more resources. There is NO need to sign in.
Laboratory materials: Each laboratory experiment and observing project lists the materials at the start. You will need a scientific calculator, camera (digital preferred), lamp, diffraction grating (provided by instructor), small ball, protractor, ruler or tape measure, cardboard, crayons or colored pencils, tape etc. Some observing projects use telescopes or binoculars, but you can choose projects that require neither.
Office Hours and Interactions: We can communicate by email, phone, discussion board (in WebCT) or in person. Please feel free to phone or drop in. You can have as much help as you would like. Just allow enough time.
I will attempt to phone back or respond to email within 36 hours. I check my phone messages regularly. I will put common questions on the FAQ list or on the discussion group on WEBCT. So try there first for a quick resolution. Evening
Observing:
Students wishing to participate in evening observing sessions at DVC are encouraged to do so. Observing sessions are planned for
Friday, Sept 5, 2008 starting 7:45PM Friday, Sept 12, 2008 starting 7:45PM, weather permitting All students and your well-behaved friends are invited. Dress casually, in layers for OUTDOOR weather. You MAY come to these observing evenings for the star party observing project (but be sure to do all the required drawings).
Office Hours: Some of these hours are in my office, others are cell phone and on line availability. Don’t hesitate to phone. Office 925-685-1230x2832 cell 925-209-6317 if you have questions or concerns. Monday 12:30- 1:50 PM PM SC 313 925-685-1230 ext 2832 Tuesday 3:30-5:00 PM SC 313 Phone (925) 685-1230 ext 2832 Wednesday By Phone and internet 4:30 PM- 6PM at 925-209-6317 Thursday 9:30 AM-10:45 AM SC 313 Phone (925) 685-1230 extension 2832 Friday by appointment, call at 925-209-6317 to set up Weekends and Nights- phone or by appointment 925-209-6317 (don't hesitate to call!) Or email ANY time. Inside WebCT is best. Email outside WebCT kcastle@dvc.edu Do feel free to
come or phone for help. It IS acceptable to ask to have work checked before
the day it is due. I will check it and return it so it can be corrected.
Getting Together There are three required face-to-face meetings and three face-to-face or proctored tests. At the meetings, there is a lecture/demonstration, I give you materials, you turn in homework and labs. You will have time to ask questions and get help. Each meeting is worth points, so don't miss any! The times available for meetings are listed below and on the calendar site, you make your appointment for each meeting on the calendar site. Similarly, the available test times are listed below and on the calendar site. Come to any of the times for each test; no need for an appointment.
If you want to take your test somewhere else (not DVC room SC 701), you need to arrange for a proctored location and time and then you need to discuss it with the instructor well ahead. If there is a charge, it is your responsibility.
The class has a discussion area on WEBCT. Use it to check with me or other students concerning whether you are on the right track or just to shoot the breeze. If you are leaving a message or an email, be as specific as you can about where you would like help, e.g. what question number or what sentence is bothering you. If you would like to get together, please check the calendar first to see when I might be around and then suggest some times that will work for us both. I CAN come in during the evening.
Astronomy Tutoring – SC 701 – Hours To Be Posted Students are encouraged to participate in astronomy tutoring. Tutors benefit most students, even ones who can succeed without assistance. They provide help, camaraderie, a structured environment, and useful feedback. Tutors are FREE of charge. Just drop in. Sorry there is no phone.
"Turned in" means emailed from your location or US mailed and postmarked by the due date and time, or brought to DVC. You may use campus mail within Contra Costa Community College District. You may turn in things early. I have no fax.
The best way is to email within WebCT. Attach your work as a typed, scanned or picture file and keep a copy. I will let you know if there is a problem opening it. You may use my other email (kcastle@dvc.edu), but WebCT keeps things organized better and allows large attachments (like scanned pages).
Mailing Address Assignments can be mailed to K.G. Castle, Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. I look at the date when you have sent the materials, not the date that they arrive.
At DVC or other Contra Costa Community College Locations You may email assignments or bring them to a meeting or test or deliver it to any of the following. (Keep a copy in case of loss).
a) Locked mailbox outside Science Center 313, building open ~ 8AM to 10 PM M-F b) Castle’s mail slot in the Physical Science Division Office, PS 263, Open roughly 7 AM- 4 PM, (but often closed if the secretary is away) c) Interoffice mail from DVC’s Administration Building. Open roughly 7:30 AM -7 PM, M-Th and til 5PM on Friday or from any of the other Contra Costa Community College District locations (SRVC, CCC etc). Some places will date stamp it for you.
Your homework and lab work is geared to HELP you do well on the tests. It is to your advantage to finish it before the test or quiz. If you are late, you will be penalized 2% per school day late. NO papers will be accepted after the final. Tests and quizzes will not normally be available late. Quizzes are ALL due on Monday evenings.
Assignments submitted online will be graded and comments will be returned by email. Work submitted in paper will be handed back at meetings, tests or when you drop by. Comments will be emailed back or written on your work. Look at your grades on WEBCT to verify that things have been graded and DO alert me if it has been a while and no grade has appeared.
Points and Tasks Required The maximum number of points for each component is:
To pass, you MUST earn at least 120 laboratory points. AND You need the following totals At Least 640 points for an A (~80%) At least 560 points, but fewer than 640 for a B (~70%) At least 480 points, but fewer than 560 for a C (~60%) At least 400 points, but fewer than 480 for a D (~50%) Less than 400 points or failure to complete 120 lab points F
Quizzes, Practice Quizzes and Practice Tests You can find quizzes, and practice for tests and quizzes on the WEBCT site. You may take the practice versions as many times as you like. No password needed. The scores do not count toward your grade, but practice correlates strongly with quiz and test grades.
The password for actual quizzes is real quiz. After you take a quiz, submit it for grading and WebCT will show your score and the correct answers question by question.
Take real quizzes ONE time ONLY. They are CLOSED BOOK, NO NOTES, limited time. You may use a calculator or spreadsheet. If, somehow, the computer program lets you take the quiz more than once, I consider it to be CHEATING to do so. If you have, in the past, been given extra time on tests etc. or if you cannot complete the practice quizzes in the time allotted, please get in touch with me ahead of time. WEBCT shows your grades. Quizzes and tests are graded automatically. Just save the answers then submit for grading (BEFORE you leave the quiz or test). I enter grades for other papers and meetings by hand. Let me know if the grades do not show up after a while. There is a plot available on the WEBCT home page that shows how many points you should have to be on track for various grades.
Come to ONE of the times for EACH of the three tests and ONE meeting time for each of the meetings. You do NOT need to reserve a test time. You DO need to SCHEDULE a date and time for each of the THREE instructor meetings. Use the Astro128Calendar.
Advice is a mini lecture, or advice on the topic or the week. There may not be anything yet.
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