Astronomy 2--Overview of the Universe
Spring 2002
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00-11:45 am, in E&MS B206
TA's: Juan Ciorciari, Giovanna Pugliese, Anouk Shambrook
[Syllabus & Reading Sections] [Problem Sets] [Midterm A Solution Set] [Midterm B Solution Set] [Astronomy Links]| Name/E-mail/Phone | Office Hours | TA Sections | |
| Instructor | Jean Brodie brodie@ucolick.org 459-2987 |
Kerr 141b Wed 2:00-3:30 |
|
| TAs | Juan Ciorciari ciorciari@physics.ucsc.edu 459-5701 |
Nat Sci II 338
Tue 3:00 - 5:00 |
Thimann 103A Tue 5:00 - 6:10 Thr 5:00 - 6:10 |
| Giovanna Pugliese vanna@ucolick.org 459-3068 |
CfAO-102 Wed 11:00-1:00 |
Kerr 160 Mon 4:00-5:10 Wed 4:00-5:10 |
|
| Anouk Shambrook anouk_shambrook@hotmail.com 459-3809 |
Kerr 145
T & Th 1:00-2:00 |
Kerr 160 Tue 2:00-3:10 Thr 2:00-3:10 |
TEXT:
"The Cosmic Perspective," by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Vogt (Pub. Addison Wesley). This is the main reference for the course and at least two copies are on 2-hour reserve at the Science Library.
Other books you may find useful: "Explorations," by Thomas T. Arny "Voyages through the Universe," by Fraknoi, Morrison and Wolfe "Astronomy: From the Earth to the Universe," by Pasachoff "Astronomy Today," by Chaisson and McMillan
Copies of these books are on 2-hour reserve at the Science Library. Lecture notes will also be placed on reserve.
HOMEWORK:
There will be weekly homework problem sets. Homework is required and counts 20% towards Pass-No Record/Letter Grade decision.
EXAMS:
There will be one midterm exam during regular class time on a date to
be announced. The final exam is on Tuesday, June 4
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm in EMS 206B.
Both the midterm and final are open book and open notes. The midterm counts for 30% of your final score, the final counts for 50%.
SECTION:
You are strongly advised to attend discussion sections. They will help you learn how to solve problems using concepts learned in class. The ability to solve such problems will be tested extensively in the midterm and final exams. In addition, good work in sections can be a key factor in determining your final result if exam results are weak, and it provides for a more personal and informative evaluation.
TAs:
The TAs are there to help you learn. In discussion sections they will answer questions about and elaborate on the material covered in the lecture, attempt to explain difficult concepts, and provide guidance in doing the homework. They will also be available during office hours and by appointment; if you are having trouble, you are encouraged to seek them out.
THE COURSE:
This is an introductory course for the NON-SCIENTIST. If you are a science major you should not be taking this course. This course does satisfy the quantitative (and Introduction to Natural Sciences--IN) requirement, so some math will be used. I will use only the elementary arithmetic, algebra, and geometry that you should have had in high school. You will not be expected to derive equations yourselves. Don't forget that the TAs will be glad to help you with any questions about the math that is used. For exams, all the equations you need will be given.
I will also use graphical material, powers of ten, and ratios. Some ability to visualize in 3D will be an advantage. Please note that the Solar System will be covered only briefly in this course
In order to give a broad overview of modern astronomy, and to develop a feeling for what science is and how it works, I shall introduce many concepts in physics at a basic level.