Professor Lee Carkner
Fall 2009
Room: Science 102
Time: M W F 2:30-3:45 pm
Professor: Lee Carkner
Office: 208 Science Building
Email: phcarkner@augustana.edu
Phone: 794-3405
WWW: http://helios.augustana.edu/~lc
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00 pm
General Information
This is a three-credit general introduction to planetary science covering the formation and structure of the solar system, the properties of the individual planets, the phenomenology of the Sun, and recent discoveries of planets around other stars. We will discuss the history of planetary science from the first naked-eye observations of the planets up to the most recent results from today’s space probes and orbital telescopes.
The class is designed for students with no special preparation in math and science but some computational work is required. Course work will consist of completing the assigned readings and homework before each class, participating in classroom exercises, and completing both telescope and naked-eye observations. Each student must attend several nighttime observing sessions at the observatory.
Required Materials
Each student will need a copy of the textbook, Astronomy Today (Sixth Edition) by Chaisson and McMillan, a Star and Planet locator, and a WebAssign card, all of which are available at the bookstore. You should bring textbook and locator as well as paper, pencil, pen and calculator to each class.
Homework for the class is completed via the WebAssign webpage (http://webassign.net/). You will need to purchase a card from the bookstore or pay online and login to activate your account. Homework is due every class day and must be submitted before class starts. Most classes will have in-class exercises. Neither homework nor activities can be made up, but you may drop (or miss) three of each.
Grading and Course Policies
Your grade will be based on 5 separate items each weighted as follows:
Quizzes (3): 45% (15% each)
Final: 20%
Observing: 10%
In-Class Exercises and Quizdom questions: 15%
Homework: 10%
Each quiz will cover roughly 1/3 of the total material and the final will be comprehensive. Missed tests or exercises can only be made up with an official excuse. Please see me as soon as possible if you must miss a test or class. Students may work together and discuss the material in some cases but each student must do his or her own work and turn in a separate assignment.
If you have any questions or problems during the semester you can send me email at the above address, visit during my office hours, or make an appointment for a meeting. Please also feel free to talk to me before and after class or stop by my office if you would like to discuss something.