AST1002-Section 4(honors):  "Planets, Stars, Galaxies" (Fall 2007)

This course provides a general introduction to modern astronomy for honor students. As a liberal study course, the goal is to help you to learn some basic facts and methods of astronomy as well as to gain an appreciation of astronomy as a science, the Universe and the current ideas about its past and future.

Instructor: Peter Hoeflich
Time: 14:05 to 15:20 pm, Monday and Wednesdays @ HCB317
Office Hours: Tuesdays @ 13:30 to 14:30pm

Office: 613 Keen (644-5567)
E-mail: pah@astro.physics.fsu.edu

For announcements and news, see syllabus on Blackboard

Recommended Textbooks:

Chaisson & McMillan: Astronomy/A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, Publ. Pearson Prentic

(Hall Impey & Hartmann, The Universe Revealed, Publ. Chaisson)

Overheads from Lectures: see Blackboard

Homeworks: see assignments on Blackboard

Evaluation of Performance:

There will be one Web based homework every week for extra credit due on Monday at noon.

Mini-quizzes will be administered in class using the PRS units (see http://tec.fsu.edu). We will have one mini-quiz per week consisting of two to five multiple choice questions. You must bring your PRS transmitter to every class. Please don't forget to register your PRS using the Backboard system. The two lowest or missed mini-exams (excused or not excused) will be dropped before calculating the final grade.

There will be two midterm-exams (10/3 and 11/7), and one final in December 2007.

Assessment:

The course grade will be based on your attendance record (10%), class mini-quizzes (20%), two mid-term exams (20% each), the final exam (30%), and homework assignments (10% extra credit). If you miss a mid-term or final for a valid reason, it is your responsibility to arrange the make-up.

Grades: A (90-100%), A- (88-89%), B+ (86-87%), B(80-85%), B- (78-79%), C+ (76-77%), C (70-75%), C- (68-69%), D+ (66-67%), D ( 60-65%), F(<60%)

Academic Honor Code:
Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in he Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The first paragraph reads: The Academic Honor System of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.

ADA Statement:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should: a) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center SDRC; b) bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating that you need academic accommodations. Please do this  during the first week of class.