AST4210/5211 (Fall 2008)
Introductory course for science majors which covers the key aspects
and concepts of modern astronomy and astrophysics including coordinate
systems, instrumentation, our sun and planets, stars and stellar evolution,
binary systems and variable stars, late stages of stellar evolution and
stellar explosions, galaxies, and the evolution of the universe.
Recommended Textbook:
B.W. Carroll, D. A. Ostlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
Addison Wesley, 2007, ISBN 0-8053-0402-9
Prerequisites: MAC2312, PHY 2049C
(please contact instructor if you don't meet the prerequisites)
Remark: This course is equivalent to AST3018/4018/5018 in subsequent semesters
Evaluation of Performance:
There will be one Web based homework every week 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 lowest or missed mini-exam (excused or not excused) will be dropped before
calculating the final grade. There will be one midterm-exam, and one final.
Assessment:
The course grade will be based on class mini-quizzes (20%), one mid-term exam (20%), the final
exam (40%), and homework assignments (20%). If you miss the mid-term or final for a
mid-term valid reason, it is your responsibility to arrange the make-up.
Grades: A (85-100%), A- (80-84%), B+ (76-79%), B(71-75%), B- (67-70%), C+ (63-66%),
C (58-62%), C- (54-57%), D+ (50-53%), D ( 46-49%), F(<45%)
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 academicintegrity 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.