Robert L. Zimmerman     Astronomy, ASTR 121

The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System

Summer 2010, Room Wil 100,

Days   m  t  r   6/21-7/29     Time: 1800-1950

Office Wil 448,    email  rlz@uoregon.edu

Office Hours: 12:00-1:00 PM --T, W, & R and after class  

Text: Astronomy Today by Eric Chaisson & Steve McMillan, Ver 6

Class Notes    http://uoregon.edu/~phys600/ASTR121.html

 

                  Approximate Outline

Date               Chp           test /Assignments                

Week1

6/21-24      1, 2, 6                Assign 1 (assign on 6/24, due on 7/1) 

Week2        6,7,8            test1 (6/28, 30 pts)                  

 6/28-7/1                               Assign 2  (assign on 7/1, due on 7/8)                                              

Week3       8, 9, 10         test2 (7/5,30 pts)         

7/5- 7/8                                 Assign 3 (assign on 7/8, due on 7/15)  

Week4       10, 11,12      test3 (7/12, 30 pts)     

7/12-15                                 Assign 4 (assign on 7/15, due on 7/22}

Week5       12, 13           test4 (7/19, 30 pts)   

7/19-7/22                           No Assignment

Week 6  

7/26- 7/29    14

                                    Final (7/29,60 pts)) & Makeup (30 Points) 

 

EXAMS: There will be four weekly exams and one final. The test questions will come from the lectures and book. There is one make up exam given after the final on the last day of class (7/29). The final and make up covers the complete term. 

Assignments: There will be four assignments. Each assignment is worth about 6-10 points.

Grade: Your score will be determined by adding your points to get a total score. Your grade will then be determined from a class curve. 

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required and there may be unannounced short exams over review material to insure attendance. 

Extra Credit:  You may write a report. The report will consist of no less than 4 double spaced pages (not including pictures). The topic can be chosen from the list:

1. Spacecraft exploration of Saturn and its moons.

2. Spacecraft exploration of Jupiter and its moons.  

3. Spacecraft exploration of Mars.

You must include the references from the web (URLs).  The report is due by the last class lecture. The extra credit does not give you any additional points but if you are on the borderline it may increase your final grade. The extra credit may increase your grade by changing an F+ to a D-, a D+ to a C-, a B+ to -A and etc. The extra credit is strongly advised

 

On line pdf lectures: found at http://uoregon.edu/~phys600/ASTR121.html

 Each chapter is divided into two pdf files, part a and part b.