Instructor: Dr. C.

Vaz • Office 365A Muntz • Tel: (513) 936-7167 • Office Hours: M: W 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm and BA

Astronomy I
RWC-PHYS 120

Syllabus

Text: Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan, 6th Ed. (Pearson, Addison/Wesley) 2008.

Objectives: This is the first in a three quarter offering during which we take a look at modern
Astronomy, the systematic, scientific study of the Universe. The goal for this quarter is threefold (i) to
review some essential concepts of physics that are essential to our modern understanding of the
Universe and (ii) to describe some of the tools used in measurement and (iii) to briefly describe our
immediate neighborhood, the solar system. Students are expected to acquire skills in scientific methods,
critical reasoning, and problem solving. Students are also expected to learn to organize their thoughts
clearly and to express them clearly in both written and oral communication.

This course fulfills the General Education Breadth of Knowledge (BoK) area of Natural Science.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND GRADING:

 EXAMS: This course will have four fifty minute exams scheduled during the quarter. The five exams will
be given in class during the lecture period on Wednesdays, October 07, 21, 28 and on November 04
and 18 between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. There will also be a final exam during exam week, as scheduled
by the registrar. The exams will consist of problems and questions similar to suggested examples from
the text and problems and questions discussed in class. Students may not use review notes (a "cheat-
sheet") or the text during examinations.

HOMEWORK: Homework will take the form of reading assignments during the quarter.

ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all classes. Absences must be excused.

CONDUCT: Students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct. Academic misconduct in this
course will be dealt with in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

ABSENCES: Except for emergencies, students are expected to inform their instructor beforehand if they
cannot attend an exam. Makeup exams may be arranged at the discretion of the instructor and only if
the student has a valid excuse for the absence.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Raymond Walters College is committed to providing all students equal 
access to learning opportunities.  Disability Services is the  official campus office that works with
students who have disabilities to arrange reasonable accommodations.  Students who have or think they
have a disability are invited to contact Disability Services for a confidential discussion.  It is
recommended that students initiate contact early in the quarter to allow adequate time for services to
be arranged. 

Location - Muntz Hall, room 112E. 

 Instructor: Dr. C. Vaz • Office 365A Muntz • Tel: (513) 936-7167 • Office Hours: M: W 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm and BA

Telephone - (513) 792-8625.

 Instructor: Dr. C. Vaz • Office 365A Muntz • Tel: (513) 936-7167 • Office Hours: M: W 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm and BA

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw and receive a grade of ``W'' with the instructor's signature is
Thursday, November 20.

GRADING: Each in-class exam is worth 50 points and the final exam is worth 100 points, for a total of
300 points. A final letter grade will be assigned for the course according to the following (approximate)
guidelines:

Score Grade
[90%,100%] A
[80%,90%) B
[70%,80%) C
[60%,70%) D
[0%,60%) F

TENTATIVE PACE OF THE COURSE:

Wednesday, 09/30/09 Sections 1.1 – 1.7

Wednesday, 10/07/09 Exam on Chapter 1

Sections 2.1 – 2.4

Wednesday, 10/14/09 Sections 2.5 – 2.8

Sections 3.1 – 3.2

Wednesday, 10/21/09 Exam on Chapter 2

Sections 3.3 – 3.5

Wednesday, 10/28/09 Exam on Chapter 3

Sections 4.1 – 4.5

Wednesday, 11/04/09 Exam on Chapter 4

Sections 5.1 – 5.3

Wednesday, 11/11/09 Sections 5.4 – 5.8

Sections 6.1 – 6.4

Wednesday, 11/18/09 Exam on Chapter 5

Sections 6.5 – 6.7

Wednesday, 11/25/09 Overview of the Solar System

(summary of Chapters 7 – 14)

Wednesday, 12/02/09 Sections 15.1 – 15.7

Final Exam (one hour): on Chapters 6 and 15

 Instructor: Dr. C. Vaz • Office 365A Muntz • Tel: (513) 936-7167 • Office Hours: M: W 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm and BA

(Wednesday, 12/09/09 at 4:00 pm)