Valencia College Syllabus Astronomy AST 1002-12229 Fall 2014 Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 – 11:15 am Instructor: Dr. Ivan Padron Email: ipadron1@valenciacollege.edu Course Description Welcome to Astronomy. This course is designed to learn the basic concepts of Astronomy and assumes no prior knowledge of astronomy or physics, and it is especially suited to students who do not intend to major in mathematics or science. The course offers a broad survey of modern understanding of the cosmos and of how we have gained that understanding, topics include a general overview of our cosmic address and origins, the scale of space and time, the motion in the universe, and an introduction of the major phenomena of the sky. Please feel free to make comments, criticisms, or suggestions at any time. I will make any adjustments that are necessary to ensure that you find the course both challenging and rewarding. Course Materials The textbook for this course is Essential Cosmic Perspective by Bennett 6th edition. “Mastering Astronomy”, Pearson/Addison-Wesley. If your text does not include “Mastering Astronomy” access code, you can purchase it separately at http://www.masteringAstronomy.com. This site contains additional examples, exercises, simulations, and other materials that can be useful. MAPADRON77457 Instructor’s Teaching Philosophy The education is one of the most fascinating experiences which provides the satisfaction of enjoy the result of your efforts. Education is the foundation for growth, appreciation and respect. As a professor, my priority is to teach, educate and direct my students to be prepared for the future. I am committed to providing the students the fundamental concepts to increase their knowledge, and help them to develop the necessary skills to apply this knowledge to their future career. I always maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of integrity. I pledge my respect to each and every person who will be relating to my profession. I sincerely believe that if I remain true to my values, I will have a positive impact on all those whose lives I touch. Learning about the universe helps us understand what has made our existence possible. Studying the intimate connections between human life and the cosmos gives students a reason to care about astronomy. The long history of astronomy is a proof that science is a process through which we learn about our universe, a process that is not always a straight line to the “truth.” By remembering a few key physical principles and understanding the nature of science, students can follow astronomical developments for the rest of their lives. Astronomy affects each of us personally with the new perspectives it offers. Although astronomy should not be construed to support any particular worldview, it certainly provides the foundations from which worldviews are built. I encourage students to keep focus on the big picture and think about general concepts and ideas, but at the same time, I help them to complete the course requirements, providing lecture notes and other support materials, Also, I exhort students to find personalized methods to understand and retain concepts, and I will assist them by providing my own personalized examples. Students learn best when they are actively involved in the process. The main challenge that a professor faces up is to keep the students motivated. The accomplishment wills depend of the professor’s own attitude. Professors that are truly motivated by the subject can easily transmit this to their students. Staying active in research is an excellent way to convey this motivation to the students. Another way to keep the students motivated is using new approaches to teaching and the introduction of news curses in correspondence of the new technologies and challenges. I will be always encouraged to bring the more advantage knowledge to my students, and to work close to my colleagues in the effort to provide the more actualized and useful teaching techniques. Also, with enthusiasm I will endow my students with training, confidence and the right attitude to the scientific research. I will always look ahead to the future as a professor with great excitement and strong commitment. Attendance I expect you to attend class unless serious circumstances prevent that, in which case, I would appreciate you speaking with me about your absence. Also, punctuality is essential because I will dedicate the first few minutes in each class to provide you any modification or important information about the course. Attendance and punctuality is vital to academic success. Policies and Procedures This course is design to be according to Valencia College policies and Procedures. For more information please refer to http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=75. Withdrawal Policy: Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline (November 7th, 2014) will receive a grade of “W”. A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final exam period for violation of class attendance policy. A student who is withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance policy will receive a grade of “W”. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt is the same course will be assigned a grade of “F”. For complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please refer to http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=75. Homework, Quizzes, Tests and Final Exam Homework assignments will be given regularly during the semester. Every chapter will have homework, which will be available the corresponding lecture day for each chapter. Every chapter will have a Quiz, which will be assigned the corresponding homework due day for each chapter. There are three tests scheduled during the semester: September 23rd, October 1st, and November 18th The final exam is scheduled for December 9th from 10:00 – 12:30 a.m. Accessibility and support to Students I have prepared this course with numerous resources to be able to help to learn and understand the basics of astronomy and to pass the minimum requirement for the course, I will provide you:    PowerPoint presentation notes for each chapter. Homework, quizzes and test solutions Videos related to the course material. I will be available during the week in the Physics lab and officially I have reserved some office hours to assist you with any kind of help. Do not hesitate to ask for my assistance I enjoy teaching and I enjoy talking with you. If you have questions or just want to explore an idea, come by. Grading Policy 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Homework - 15% of your class grade. Quizzes - 15% of your class grade. Tests - 30% of your class grade (10% each) Projects 10% of your class grade. Final Exam – 30% of your class grade. Grading Scale 90 – 100% = A 80 – 89% = B 70 – 79% = C 60 – 69% = D Below 60% = F Students have an option to substitute the tests grade (30%) with final exam grade. This option will be available only for students who will take the three tests. For quizzes and homework, the grade average will exclude the lower grade. Make-Up Policy for Examinations and All Other Assignments Students, who missed a test or have not submitted a homework or other assignment on time, due to an excused reason (sickness, death in family and others serious reasons), and have a perfect attendance record (otherwise at the discretion of the instructor) may be allowed to make-up this test and to submit the assignment after the deadline. The instructor may request a doctor’s note or other documentation to decide whether to allow a makeup. No make-ups or late submissions without excused reasons or if a student missed more than 3 classes before the day of the test. Also, there are not make-ups for final exam. BlackBoard site I will use the BlackBoard class site to provide information about the course such as syllabus, PowerPoint notes, grades, … Student Conduct and Academic Honesty  Exams and homework are considered individual effort; any submissions that are too similar for coincidence will receive no credit. • Students are responsible for preparing for class and complete homework and others assignments. • Students who are absent are fully responsible for all material covered in class. • Cell phones, personal computers, and other electronic devices must be turned off during the class time. Expected Student Conduct: Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook. Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. The West Campus Office is in the SSB Building, Room 102. (Phone) 407-582-1523 (Fax) 407-582-1326 (TTY) 407-582-1222 BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get immediate help with issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available. Expectations I hope this will be a positive learning experience for you. Your success in this course will depend on your effort and dedication. I expect you to attend and be on time to each class and follow my recommendations:     Read the Power Point notes. Homework need to be completed on time. In order to provide you the solutions. Don’t miss class, and make sure you come to class prepared for the corresponding Quiz If you find yourself confused or falling behind for any reason at any time, let me know. immediately! No matter what is causing your difficulty, I am quite willing to work with you to find a way for you to succeed. Course Lectures Schedule Date August 26 August 28 September 02 September 04 September 09 September 11 September 16 September 18 September 23 September 25 September 30 October 02 October 07 October 09 October 14 October 16 October 21 October 23 October 28 October 30 November 4 November 6 November 11 November 13 November 18 November 20 November 25 November 27 December 02 December 02 Topic Introduction Lecture 1: Basic Astronomical Definitions Lecture 2: Earth’s Motions and Moon Cycles Lecture 3: The Origin of Modern Astronomy Lecture 4: Gravitation and the Motion of Planets Lecture 5: Light and Telescopes Lecture 6: Atomic Physics and Spectra Lecture 7: Formation of Solar System and other Planetary Systems Test I Lectures 1-6 Lecture 8: Earth and our Moon Lecture 9: The Terrestrial Planes (Inner planets) Lecture 10: The Jovian Planets (Outer Planets) Lecture 11: Asteroids and Comets No Classes Lecture 12: The Sun, Our Star Lecture 13: Understanding the Stars. Test II Lectures 7-12 Lecture 14: The Lives of the Stars Lecture 15: The Death of the Stars Lecture 16: The Milky Way Galaxy Lecture 17: Galaxies Lecture 18: Black Holes, Dark Matter and Dark Energy Lecture 19: Cosmology: From The Big Bang to The Fate of the Universe Lecture 20: Life in the Universe Test III Lectures 13-20 Project 2 Group Discussions Project 3 Group Discussions No Classes Cosmos Video Project 4 Cosmos Video Short Answer Questions Final Exam – Thursday, December 9th , 10:00 – 12:30 a.m. Homework Due Days and Quizzes Schedule Homework & Quiz Homework due day and Quiz Schedule 1 09/04/2014 2 09/9/2014 3 09/11/2014 4 09/16/2014 5 09/18/2014 6 09/20/2014 7 09/25/2014 8 10/02/2014 9 10/07/2014 10 & 11 10/14/2014 12 10/16/2014 13 10/23/2014 14 10/30/2014 15 11/04/2014 16 11/06/2014 17 11/11/2014 18 11/13/2014 19& 20 11/22/2014 Disclaimer Statement As many factors may affect the development and progress of a class, exceptions to the above stated policies or schedule may be made at the discretion of the instructor.