Instructor

• Section 1: J. C. Evans
• Office: Room 313, Science & Technology 1
• Office Hours: TR 10:30-12:00 AM or by appointment
• Office Telephone: 703-993-1285, voice mail
• E-mail: jevans@gmu.edu
• Mailbox: Physics and Astronomy Department
• Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Office: Room 303, Science & Technology I
• Office Telephone: 703-993-1280

Lecture Information

• Section 1: TR, 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM, Lecture Hall 1, GMU Campus
• Prerequisite - None
• Text - J. Bennett, M. Donahue, N. Schneider, and M. Voit, The Essential Cosmic Perspective, 2nd Edition, Addison Wesley, 2003.

Course Description

This course is a one-semester introduction to astronomy without a laboratory. In general, this course is used for elective credit in most programs of study. Note that the sequence of ASTR 111/113 with laboratory (ASTR 112/114) satisfies the two-semester, laboratory-science requirement. Astronomy 103 is an introduction to astronomy; covering Earth-Sky relationships, an overview of the Solar System, the Sun, the stars, our Galaxy, other galaxies, the large-scale structure of the Universe, and cosmology. This course is not intended for physics majors.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are:

1. to focus on human beings as part of a large-scale physical existence;
2. to identify our position and relative scale-size in the Universe;
3. to familiarize students with the astronomical objects studied by astronomers;
4. to familiarize students with the physical concepts and terms used in modern astronomy to gain an understanding of the physical nature of various bodies and phenomena; and,
5. to expose students to the practices, methodology, and the conceptual basis of a modern physical science, such as astronomy.

Although examinations do not involve problem solving, lectures will use quantitative material.

World Wide Web

In addition to this web site for Astronomy 103, the web site for the Physics and Astronomy Department is: http://www.physics.gmu.edu/. The Astronomy 103 site is in a state of continuous update, so that you should consult it weekly throughout the semester. The site contains materials that supplement the textbook material most of which will be of importance to your study of astronomy. In addition to supplemental course materials, there are links to interesting astronomy sites as well as sites containing course materials for equivalent courses taught at other universities.

Evaluation Policy

Students are responsible for the material in the assigned chapters and any additional topics presented in lecture. Please read ahead so that you are prepared to ask questions in lecture about the assigned reading. Evaluation of students in Section 1 of this course is primarily by inclass written examinations (see Examination Policy below) and required computer-based quizzes (see Computer-Based Quizzes below) for each of the Chapters in the textbook. The letter grade will be determined at the end of the semester from the point accumulation based on:

• three written examinations given during regular class meetings, spaced approximately every four weeks throughout the semester,
• required computer-based quizzes administered through the CAS Testing and Tutoring Center, and
• a written, cumulative final examination.

In determining the letter grade for the semester, the point value for the three semester exams is 300 points. These exams are closed book and closed note examinations, consist of 100 one-point multiple-choice/matching questions, and are approximately 75 minutes in length to be given every four weeks during the semester (see Sample Exam). The required computer-based quizzes constitute 150 points of the total score of 600 points. The final exam is also closed book and closed note, consists of 150 one-point multiple-choice/matching questions, and is approximately 150 minutes in length. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all the material in the course, but will be weighted higher on the later material.

In addition, attendance will be taken at each class meeting and use to determine the letter grade for the course for students on the borderline between different letter grades. Good attendance means a student will be given the higher letter grade, while poor attendance will result in the lower grade.

Course Grade

Composition of the letter grade for this section is given in the table below. No letter grade will be assigned for individual components, but will be assigned at the end of the course on the basis of the total point accumulation.

Examination Policy

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the Assignment Schedule, the instructor reserves the right to alter the examination schedule during the semester if the necessity arises. If any adjustments to the schedule are made, the new date and time will be during a regularly scheduled class meeting. It is the responsibility of each student taking the course to be available to attend class during regularly scheduled class meetings as listed in the Schedule of Classes regardless of work or family considerations.

Please note that the instructor reserves the right to require each student to present their George Mason University Photo ID to be admitted to an examination during the semester and the final examination.

Semester Exam Make-Up Policy

There are no make-up exams or specially arranged exams given during the semester. However, if a student is compelled to miss one of the three semester exams due to circumstances beyond their control, the final exam can be count as 41.7% instead of 25% provided that sufficient written justification is given to the instructor in a timely fashion (one week after the missed examination). It is the responsibility of each student, who misses a scheduled exam, to make sure that they provide the written justification promptly and that the instructor accepts the justification by returning in writing a note that it is approved. Please note that this policy applies to only one missed examination and not to two. In no case will the instructor increase the weight of the final exam beyond 41.7%.

Computer-Based Quizzes

As part of the requirements for this course, computer-based quizzes will be given starting the first week of the semester and continuing through the last week of classes. Every four weeks through the CAS Testing and Tutoring Center, Room 2002, Student Union II, 703-993-4237, CAS Testing and Tutoring Center, four or five quizzes, each covering one textbook chapter, will be available for your completion (for the schedule see Computer-Based Quizzes). Each chapter quiz contains approximately 30 multiple-choice questions with one correct answer. The quiz is available to take only from Monday through Friday during the hours that the Testing Center is open. The quiz may be taken only one time with no time limit. Several quizzes may be taken during the same session. However, only four to five quizzes will be made accessible during the four-week interval leading up to the next inclass examination. After the closing date in the schedule, those quizzes are no longer accessible, and a new group of four to five quizzes will be made accessible for the next four-week interval. The total points possible for this component is 150 of the 600 points total.

In preparation for the computer-based quizzes, the publisher of the textbook provides a web site that can be accessed through the textbook web site (Text Web Site). One of many features on the publisher's web site is a self-assessment quiz with hints and rejoinders. These self-assessment quizzes are not identical to those on the computer-based quizzes in this course. However, they are similar enough that you are encouraged to use them for study and preparation for the computer-based quizzes and, which in turn are intended to help you prepare for the inclass exams.

Please note that taking the computer-based quizzes after the inclass examination defeats their purpose and is far more costly, since the value of a missed question on the computer-based quiz is about 1/4 point compared to 1 point on the inclass exam.

Lecture and Reading Schedule

Should progress vary through the schedule given in Assignments, adjustments to the material to be covered by any of the three inclass examinations will be made on the Tuesday before the examination. It is the responsibility of each student to attend class so that they are aware of what material is being covered on each inclass examination.