Natural Sciences 102: THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE
Lecture Groups L11 and L12H

CLASS WEB PAGE:

http://boojum.as.arizona.edu/~jill/ns102.html or see link from Steward Observatory web page http://www.as.arizona.edu/

DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to astronomical phenomena in the Universe, for non-science majors. The course covers three main topics: (1) the solar system and its origin, (2) stars (why they shine, and how they evolve), and (3) cosmology (what are galaxies and how they are distributed in space; the history and future of the Universe). Basic physics required to understand astronomy will be presented. Topics of current interest will also be covered, such as whether there is life on other planets, the future of the space program, the Hubble Space Telescope, and other topics of interest to the students. We will also become acquainted with the night sky, through naked eye observations and use of local telescopes.

PREREQUISITES:

No previous knowledge of astronomy is assumed. Math at the High School algebra level will be used, so the student should be familiar with basic algebra, trigonometry, and fractional powers. For a review of math concepts required for the course, see the class web page. 

TEXTS and Other Readings:

1.  The Cosmic Perspective, 4th Edition (2006), by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider & Voit, see

2. Some lectures and labs will be about special topics not covered in the textbook. For these, lecture notes will be available through the class web page.

3.  Images and animations shown in the lectures will be posted on the class web site.

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GRADES AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

There will be 3 Midterm Exams. The lowest grade will be dropped. There will therefore be NO MAKEUP exams. If you miss more than one midterm exam, you will receive a zero for the second and subsequent exams missed. Communication with the instructor is encouraged -- let us know if you are missing class or falling behind for a valid reason, and we will try to help.

Grading will be as follows:

20% : Homework and Class Participation
10% : Telescope Lab

35% : Midterms

35% : Final

Although attendance will not be routinely taken, experience shows that the A students are those who attend all classes. Although we will be following the textbook, don't think that reading the textbook and web page alone will be sufficient for learning the material. There is significantly more information in this course than in any high school science course; the lectures will enable you to synthesize and LEARN the material. Technical information can often be terse, and therefore is deceptively simple: we may be able to state in a single sentence the topic of a particular lecture, but most students will need the 90 minute explanation to understand that sentence.

There will be class activities for which you must attend class (e.g. the solar observing lab), and for which we will not be able to schedule make-ups.  If you have a valid reason to miss class at any time, please email the professor IN ADVANCE.

HONOR STUDENTS:  If you are registered for L12H, you must also complete the course requirements described in the separate handout on the Honors Section.

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CONTACTING THE PROFESSOR and TA:

Prof. Bechtold's office is in Steward Observatory, Room 328 (second floor), phone 621-6533. Office hours are immediately after class,  or by appointment.

Mr. Ben Oppenheimer's office is in Steward Observatory, Room 341 (second floor), phone 621-2026.

When not in the office, we are often in email contact. Arranging appointments via email is recommended: jbechtold@as.arizona.edu or boppenheimer@as.arizona.edu.

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

We believe very stongly in upholding the Code of Academic Integrity as established by the Dean of Students of this University. Copies of this code are available from the Dean of Students Office. It states that "The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own... Conduct prohibited by the Code consists of all forms of academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagerism... modifying any academic work for the purpose of obtaining additional credit after such work has been submitted... and attempting to commit an act prohibited by this Code."

Examples of violation of the Code of Academic Integrity include: having another student take an exam for you; changing an answer on a scantron sheet after it has been graded and returned, and claiming the machine made an error; copying lab data or reports from another student; allowing another student to copy your lab data or report; copying lab data or reports from students in other classes, or previous classes; turning in work that is not your own; using unauthorized notes or other aids during exams; plagerizing a term paper in total or in part.

You are allowed to discuss assignments with other students, but the written work you hand in must be your own.

Any violation of the code will be dealt with harshly, since all violations diminish the integrity of this class as a whole and the University. If you violate the code in any part of this class or lab, you will receive an E for the course, and your name will be submitted to the Dean of Studeonts so that a notation will be attached to your permanent record that you cheated in this course.  Note that this policy is harsher than what is typical in other courses in the College of Science;  however, the department chair and Deans have always supported my actions in cases of code violations. 

More information on the UA academic code of conduct can be found at http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies/984/acacode.htm.

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LECTURE AND EXAM SCHEDULE:

Lecture topics and reading assignments will be posted on the web page as we go along. Key concepts for each lecture will be posted on the web page.

EXAMs will be on the day scheduled. We have made an effort to avoid religious holidays, but if you must miss an exam for religious reasons please let Prof. Bechtold know as soon as possible.

MIDTERMS: in class.  Sample test questions will be handed out in class.  Dates will be announced in class, and posted on the web site.

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, May 9, 2006.   11am - 1pm,  ILC 130.
 The final must be given at this time, there are no exceptions.

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