Rutgers University Department of Physics and Astronomy
Monday, May 12, 9:30 - 11:00 AM, Scott Hall 123
Covers from Chapter 9.7 through 15 and 18.1, 18.3, 18.4, and 18.5 (homeworks #7 through #12). The exam is closed book and notes. The format is 50 multiple-choice, computer-graded questions. You must bring a photo ID and a pencil to the exam.
Makeup: I have scheduled the makeup final for both Friday, May 9, 1:30 - 3:00 PM and Wednesday, May 14, 1:30 - 3:00 PM. In both cases the location is room 401 in the Physics and Astronomy (Serin) Building on Busch Campus (one floor up from my office). If you need to take the makeup, please talk to me or send me email.My office hour for Monday, May 5 is canceled because I will be out of town (observing at the Kitt Peak National Observatory) May 5-7. I will be able to read my email during this period.
Scores are available through WebAssign.
Please contact Professor Pryor if you need to take the make-up.| Course Description | Lecture Schedule |
| Text & WebAssign | Examinations |
| Homework & WebAssign | Grades |
| Students with Disabilities | Syllabus |
| Public Observing | Astronomy Websites |
| Lecture Notes |
This course describes the historical foundations of astronomy, the tools and techniques used by modern astronomers, the Sun, planets, moons and minor bodies of our solar system, and the processes by which it formed. There are no college-level prerequisites, but typical high school algebra and science preparation are assumed. The companion course, Ph 110 (taught this semester by Prof. Gawiser and Prof. Williams), covers the structure and evolution of stars, the properties of galaxies, and the past, present, and future of the Universe. The two courses are independent; if you wish to take both, they can be taken in either order or concurrently.
The textbook for both Ph 109 and 110 is Astronomy -- Journey to the Cosmic Frontier by Fix (McGraw-Hill).
The textbook is available at the Rutgers Bookstores, New Jersey Books, or on-line. It is divided into two separate volumes. Our class uses Volume 1 (The Solar System, ISBN 0078169852 when bundled with webassign) and Ph 110 uses Volume 2. Those who are interested in taking only Ph 109 can purchase Volume 1 only. If you plan to take both Ph 109 and 110, then it is cheaper and more convenient to buy the single-volume version. The 5th edition of the text was just released, and will be the only one available new in the bookstore. There will be 4th edition texts available on the used book market, and this is a perfectly acceptable substitute - there are almost no differences between the two editions.
You must also obtain a WebAssign access code:
Student Guide to WebAssign \& Access Code (ISBN 1-92-855019-3).
Note that when you purchase a new textbook for this course, a
copy of the WebAssign access code is usually included. If you prefer
to buy your textbook used or at someplace other than the University Bookstore,
then you will need to purchase an access code separately. They are
available at the University bookstores, or on-line from
WebAssign. Note, however, that
the second option requires a credit card.
The textbook is up-to-date and very well illustrated. It contains too much material even for a two semester course. You are responsible only for reading the sections given on the lecture schedule, though those with a strong interest in astronomy should be able to enjoy the whole book. Lectures will be more accessible if you have read the appropriate part of the book before class. Equations are given in the text and boxed material gives examples of their use. You will not be asked to perform calculations more complex than simple proportionalities in this class.
The text (when new, at least) comes with a CD of the Starry Night planetarium software. It also has a companion website, which is worth consulting.
Homework will be assigned, done, and graded weekly using the web-based WebAssign system. Homework sets are due at 11:59 PM on Monday, starting February 4 and ending May 5, and will become visible on the WebAssign system a week before they are due. Because the homework is received by an automated system, it is impossible to accept homeworks after the 11:59 PM deadline. No exceptions can be made, no matter what the reason for the delay is. You are therefore strongly encouraged to submit your homework well in advance of the deadline. The lowest two out of the 12 homeworks are dropped in calculating your grade.
It can be beneficial to discuss homework questions with your fellow students, but your submitted answers must be in your own words. Simply asking a classmate for the answer to a problem is exploitation, not discussion. Representing someone else's work as your own is a serious infringement of academic integrity that is reportable to your College Dean.
Your WebAssign login name is the first letter of your last name followed by your student ID number. For example, the login name for Tad Pryor (ID 123456789) would be p123456789. Your initial password is your student ID number. The institution is: rutgers (note the initial lower-case r).
There will be a midterm and a final exam. The midterm will be held in place of class in Scott Hall 123 on Wednesday, March 12. The final will be May 12, 9:30-11:00 AM in Scott Hall 123. Both exams will be multiple choice, computer graded, and closed book. Material from the text, lectures, and homework assignments will be used in selecting exam questions. You must bring a photo ID and a pencil to the exams.
Your course grade will be determined by your overall score out of 300, which will be the sum of your scores on the exams and homework. The exams will each be scored out of 100 and the sum of your ten best homework scores will be halved to make up the remaining 100. As it is easier to obtain a high score for the homework, it is impossible to get a good overall grade without a good homework score.
If you have a disability, it is essential that you speak to Professor Pryor early in the semester to make the necessary arrangements to support a successful learning experience. Also, you must arrange for him to receive a Letter of Accommodation from the Office of Disability Services. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/disability/.
Members of the Rutgers University community and the general public are invited to observe the skies through the 20-inch telescope of the Schommer Observatory on the second and fourth Thursday of every month, weather permitting.
Observing will be canceled for that night if the skies are cloudy at the beginning of the observing session. Please see the observatory home page for information about the next night.
Revised May 2, 2008