Physics 103 General Astronomy Dr. Tyler E. Nordgren

Organization Lecture two days a week (Tues. and Thurs.): 1 hour and 20 minutes Lectures available on website Lab one day a week (Tues. or Wed.): 2 hours and 50 minutes (meet Duke 102) Off campus observing (2 times): during lab Check the syllabus and web site for exact dates and times!

Grading Homework: 20% Quizzes: 10% Labs: 20% Observing notes: 5% Class citizenship: 5% Exams: 20% 3 exams, lowest grade dropped Each exam 10% Final: 20%

Grades Final Grades: > 90%  3.7-4.0 A 89% - 80%  2.7 – 3.4 B 79% - 70%  1.7 – 2.4 C 69% - 60%  0.7 – 1.4 D < 59%  0.0 F “1.7 – 2.4 C Acceptable. The quality of work was acceptable meeting minimal course standards but was not exceptional.” University of Redlands Catalog 2002-2004

Homework Assigned every class. Due beginning of every class. If more than one question, only one question is graded. If correct: full credit. If incorrect: No credit Redo for next class Full credit or no credit then. I drop two (2) at end of semester. No excuse to not get full credit for semester.

Observing Labs Two off campus meetings in the evenings (~7:30 pm). Feb 17 or 18 (depending on your lab section) April 13 or 14 Attendance is mandatory. In event of clouds, back-up date (see syllabus). Must keep an observing notebook. Observations Drawings Various observing assignments To be turned in at end of semester

Class Rules See hand-out and website. You are adults and responsible for ALL rules. A few in particular: No late homework is accepted. No admittance to lab once started. No make-up exams.

We will learn: More planets around other stars than around our Sun. Your atoms were formed in stars billions of years ago. Our Sun will form a black hole. Many Big Bangs have happened in the history of our Universe. We have been visited by Aliens.

Semester Goals What is science? How does it work? Why is science different from philosophy or religion? Why is a scientific “theory” different from a conspiracy “theory?” Learn about the Scientific Method through study of Astronomy: How do we know there are planets around other stars? How are stars and planets born, live, and die? What are black holes? Where did the Universe come from and where is it going? Are we alone in the Universe?

Why should I believe? How do we decide what to believe is true? Astrology. Astronomy. UFOs. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Creationism. The Big Bang. Why should you believe one over any other?

Homework #1 Due Thursday 1/5: Read Tyson Ch. 2 and Sagan article #1. (denoted “Ty2 and Sg1” on Physics 103 lecture web page) What are the steps of the scientific method? Give an example of a time when you used the scientific method. Show how you applied it. Be specific. Choose one of the non-science LAF requirements of the University. Describe how that discipline does or does not use the scientific method. Email to me by 12:00 noon  tyler_nordgren@redlands.edu