29:050 Course Information

Contact Details

  • Dr Helen Bryce 402 Van Allen Hall, Dept of Physics and Astronomy
  • Email hmbryce at gmail dot com
  • Office Telephone (319) 335 3506
  • Office Hours Mondays and Wednesday 10:00 to 11:20. Or by appointment.

    Drop/Add slips, please visit the Physics General Office at 203 VAN

    Textbook

  • The Cosmic Perspective: Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit 5th Edition (Pearson Addison Wesley)

    Course Description

    Survey of Stars, Galaxies and the Universe: life cycle of stars, including black holes and pulsars: diversity of Galaxies including the Milky Way and distant quasars: cosmology - the history, structure and fate of the universe; current results from recent astronomical observations; night sky observations.

    Homework

    Homework assignments will be made available via the website www.masteringastronomy.com. Students will need to register using the code found in the card insert supplied with the textbook. Those students who purchased second hand textbooks or who intend to use library copies will be able to purchase an access code on the website. There will be a homework assignment for each textbook chapter covered (expect 16 assignments in total) and each assignment will provide between 15 and 20 points. It is the cumulative total of points that will be used to determine a students score in this component of the course. Homework assignments will typically be due on Fridays at 5pm. Students will need to provide their nmae and a username/password combination to login to the system. It is recomended that students use their University ID number for the student ID. Please use BRYCESPR08 for the course ID, remember to hit the update button after entering information (hitting enter will provide an error message). After successfully logging in students will be able to see the current assignments. Students are reminded that there is a "help" menu to assist with technical problems. Students should also be aware that the system may run slowly and possibly become inaccessible at periods of heavy use.

    Exams

  • There will be three one hour in-class exams
  • The final will be a a two hour exam.
  • In Class Exams will be take place on February 20, April 2 and May 7. Should you anticipate a problem with any of these dates please inform the instructor.
  • The final will take place on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:15pm.
  • These dates are subject to change.
  • The exams will be multiple choice. For the class exams, students will be examined solely on material in the 10 or 11 lectures prior to the exam. The final exam will be cumulative - covering material from the entire course.
  • Make up exams will only be administered for the in-class exams in the most extreme, serious and documented cases. Students will need to make alternative arrangements with the instructor before the exam.

    Grading

  • Information on grade band percentages will be given at a later date, typically following the in class exams.
  • Students with a final mark lower than 50% or who fail the lab section will fail the course overall.
  • The final mark will be calculated as follows; For three semester hour students (no lab component) 25% each for the 3 in class exams, homework (with the lowest in class exam score being dropped) and 25% for the final. For four semester hour students (with lab) 25% lab 18.75% each for the 3 in class exams and homework (with the lowest in class exam score being dropped) and 18.75% for the final.
  • Final grades will be given using the plus/minus letter scheme
  • The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends a very judicious use of the A+ grade, asking that it be used only in extraordinary situations.

    Office hours

    Please take advantage of office hours, you don't need to make an appointment and you can come alone, in a pair or a larger group. If the posted hours don't suit you schedule please make an appointment before or after class, or by email. It is in most cases much easier to deal with your questions in person than by email or phone. Please check the course website before making plans to attend as the hours may change.

    Etiquette

    Students are expected to behave respectfully towards one another and the instuctor. Behaviour that has an adverse affect on other students will not be tolerated and such students will be removed from the classroom/examroom.

    Email

    If you need to email me please include 29:50 in the subject line. Please also remember to include your name (if it is not apparent from your email address). Students should use normal rules of grammar and spelling in any email communication.

    Laboratory

    Labs do not meet during the first week of the semester. Eating and drinking are not appropriate in the lab sessions. Please be prompt and prepared for lab sessions.

    Tutorials

    There are drop in tutorials. You can use this as an opportunity to discuss homework problems, general questions about the course material and anything within the scope of the course that interests you.

    Expectations

    Students are reminded that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences guidelines suggest 2 hours of out of class study time each week for every semester hour that is alloted to a class. Students With Disabilities: Anyone who has a disability which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements should contact me so that a suitable arrangement can be made. Contact me after class or during office hours. Student Procedures, Rights, and Responsibilities This course is given by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). This means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by CLAS. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the CLAS. Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~provost/deos/crossenroll.doc All students in CLAS courses have specific rights and responsibilities. You have the right to adjudication of any complaints you have about classroom activities or instructor actions. Information on these procedures is available in the CLAS Student Academic Handbook. You also have the right to expect a classroom environment that enables you to learn, including modifications if you have a disability. Your responsibilities to this class, and to your education as a whole, include attendance and participation. You are also expected to be honest and honorable in your fulfillment of assignments and in test-taking situations. You have a responsibility to the rest of the class and to the instructor to help create a classroom environment where all may learn. Complaints, Plagiarism, and Cheating: Student Complaints Concerning Faculty Actions" and "Academic Misconduct" procedures are available for your review on-line at the CLAS website. The Department Chair, Prof.Tom Boggess, can be contacted through the Department of Physics and Astronomy Main Office in 203 VAN. As stated in the procedures noted above, complaints or comments regarding TA's should first be directed to the instructor.