Instructor:	Vicki Sarajedini
Class time:	MWF 12:50 - 1:40 PM FLG 280
Text Book:	ASTRONOMY: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe 4th or 5th Edition (Chaisson and McMillan)
Office:	Bryant Space Science Center 218
Office Hours:	MW 2 - 4pm or by appointment
Office Telephone:	352-392-2052 x237
Email:	vicki@astro.ufl.edu
Class Website:	http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~vicki/ast1002.html

COURSE CONTENT:

This course offers a broad overview of modern astronomy and satisfies the requirements for a General Education Physical Science course. The goal of this course is to help students gain a physical understanding of how the universe works. Students should come away from this course with a clear understanding of the current knowledge in the field of astronomy, as well as a general understanding of the nature of light and its importance in astronomical observations. More generally, students will become familiar with the scientific method as it relates to major astronomical discoveries. Topics to be covered include:

• The motions of the sky
• The development of our understanding of the Universe
• The properties of the planets within our solar system
• The nature and lives of stars
• The nature of our Milky Way Galaxy
• Properties of other galaxies
• The origin of the Universe

COURSE SCHEDULE

CLASS NOTES:

Exam Grades (Spring 2007 Semester)

Exam 1

Exam 1 histogram

Exam 2

Exam 2 histogram

Exam 3

CLASS REQUIREMENTS and EXPECTATIONS

• EXAMS: Three exams will be given in class according to the course schedule. Each exam will consist of several multiple choice questions. THESE EXAMS SHOULD NOT BE MISSED! Only the most extenuating circumstances will allow you to make up the exam. Each exam will be worth 25% of your final grade in the class. The last exam will take place during finals week but will cover only the material covered in class since the previous exam.

• PROJECT: Ten percent of your final grade will be based on an exercise utilizing the Gainesville Solar Walk. The Solar Walk is a scale model of our solar system on a four billion to one scale - a scale that compresses the distance from the Sun to the last planet, Pluto, into 0.9 miles. It is located along NW 8th Avenue east of NW 34th Street. Your assignment is to measure the distances between the marked planet locations along the walk and determine their accuracy. You can use any 2 means necessary to measure the distances: tape measure, measure the length of your stride and pace the distances, drive/ride a bike along 8th avenue and note the time as you pass each marker, etc. Describe your method of measurement, estimate the errors in your technique, and compare your results with these to see how well you did. The write-up of your results will be DUE ON March 9, the Friday before Spring Break. More information and an example can be found here.

• CLASS PARTICIPATION and QUIZZES: There will be unannounced, short quizzes occasionally given at the beginning of class. Your participation and the results of these quizzes will count for 15% of your final grade. These quizzes are meant to encourage you to attend class and arrive punctually. You will not be allowed to make up a missed quiz. However, 2 quiz grades will be dropped before computing your final grade in the course. Your homework responsibility for this class will be to complete the reading assignments given in the course schedule. By keeping up with the reading, you will be able to better participate during class.

GRADING:

Exams	75%
"Solar Walk" Project	10%
Quizzes/Participation	15%
TOTAL	100%

90% - 100%	A
80% - 89%	B
70% - 79%	C
60% - 69%	D

INTERNET RESOURCES:

• Astronomy picture of the day
• Sky and Telescope Magazine
• The Hubble Space Telescope
• Astronomy Notes
• Gainesville Solar Walk
• "Fly Through the Galaxy" movie