Astronomy 30 (Solano Community College--Dr. Philip S. Petersen)

TEXT: ASTRONOMY TODAY: The Solar System by Chaisson and McMillan, 8th or 9th edition.

Instructor's power points online: Perspectives On The Solar Sytem link at

https://empyreanquest.bodymindandpassion.com/astr30.htm. 

Extra Credit:  3% boost to final grade for trip to Chabot Space and Science Center.  Bring receipt and a paragraph describing your visit to Final Exam.

HELP!:   Send me e-mail at synchrofil@aol.com. 

COURSE WORK: complete Homework and Exams online.  Final Exam (to be announced) is in-class. 

GRADING BREAKDOWN: 

(Field trip 3% boost to grade) Overall:  85-100% A,  75-84% B, 60-74% C, 50-59% D.

Point system closely fits: 3 Homework 20%, 3 Hour Exams 50%, Final 30% Total 100% 

The in-class Final will be 2 hours long, with 40 true or false questions, 60 multiple choice. It will be comprehensive, emphasizing subjects after 3rd exam, but material will be covered at exam review. (Exams closed book and closed notes.) 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Please read ahead from both sources. One field trip.)
WEEK: (Chapter nos. from Chaisson)
1, 2, 3 The Overall Perspective & The Story From Earth's Perspective (Ch. 1)
4,5 Story From Sun's Perspective & A Matter Of Gravity (Ch. 2)
6 What Is Light? (Chs. 3, 4)
7 Telescopes--Astronomy's Eyes (Ch. 5), Review for Exam I
8 EXAM I (Chs. 1-5), The Earth (Ch. 7)
9 The Solar System formation, Moon, & Mercury (Chs. 6, 8)
10 Venus & Mars (Ch.9, 10.), Review for Exam II
11 EXAM II (Chs. 6-10), Jupiter through Pluto (Chs.11, 12, 13)
12 Solar System Debris like comets, asteroids, meteors. (Ch. 14), Review for Exam III
13 EXAM III (Chs. 11-14, and Extrasolar Planetary Systems (Ch. 15)
14 Life in the Universe & Final Review (Ch. 28:  note the gap in numbering)
15 Final (Comprehensive)

Power Point lectures: All my lectures are available online as Power Point Presentations.
Go to: https://empyreanquest.bodymindandpassion.com/astr30.htm, and follow instructions.

SUCCESS: The six keys to success in my course in order of importance are as follows:
1. Learn the terminology! If you live in foreign country it really helps to learn the language. I suggest you learn Astronomese. Get some blank flash cards or 3x5 cards from the bookstore, and write the term on one side and its definition on the other. Then test yourself until you can give the definition by looking at the term.
Example: Supernova:  €“exploding star.
If you DON'€™T study the terminology before the Final Exam Review,
you run a good chance of FAILING the exam, as it is detailed and challenging.
2. Listen to the Exam Reviews.
3. Do the assigned reading. 
5. Do the homework in a timely fashion. Once we finish a section, do the 10 questions
relating to it.
6. Take advantage of the extra credit possibility.
You can get a 3% boost to your grade by attending our field trip to the Chabot Space
and Science Center in Oakland. See www.chabotspace.org for directions, ticket prices, and schedule. Stay tuned for announcement of date. 

CHEATING: Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on that assignment and be reported to the Dean of Student Affairs. I may ask the student to drop the course. I have caught
students every semester lately–so don’t try it. I know the tricks and can spot them.