Embedded Files
ERTH-101 Class Syllabus (Official class syllabus posted on Moodle, check for updates)
Introductory Astronomy Lecture (ERTH-101)
Fall 2015, CRN:30371 MW 9:35 - 10:55 am, PS-101, CRN: 30374 TTh 9:35 - 10:55 am, PS-101
Instructor: Sean Kelly
Phone: 805 897-3480
Office: EBS-124
Office Hours: MTWR, 11-12
e-mail: spkelly@pipeline.sbcc.edu
web: Moodle 2 from Pipeline
ERTH 101 – Introductory Astronomy (3.0 UNITS): Non-mathematical presentation of our knowledge of the universe. The Earth-Moon system, our solar system, the Sun, stars and stellar evolution, clusters of stars and galaxies, deaths of stars, black holes, quasars and the large-scale structure of the universe.
Transferability: CSU; UC TRANSFER LIMIT Skills Advisory: English 103, Math 1.
Textbook: ASTRO 2, Seeds & Backman (available in bookstore). You will also need to purchase a supplemental "ERTH-101 Lecture Kit" card (from cashier on top floor). Do not get the Astro Lab kit card unless you are also enrolled in the ERTH 102 Astronomy Lab course.
Grading: Your grade is based on consistent performance. No single test will determine your grade. Please note that all assignments are required components of your grade. You must complete all assignments to pass this course regardless of your cumulative percentage.
Grading Scale: The grading scale (subject to revision) will follow the traditional percentage breakdown of 90's (A), 80's (B), 70's (C), 60's (D), and below (F). Plus/minus grading is now being implemented at SBCC, so borderline grades may receive a +/- designation.
Student Learning Outcomes:
· SLO 1 - Describe the size and scale of the components of the universe and discriminate between various models of celestial motions. Predict the consequences of these motions.
· SLO 2 - Compare and contrast various components of the solar system, how they form, and how they relate to Earth.
· SLO 3 - Use the components of the electromagnetic spectrum to investigate stars and stellar evolution. Demonstrate how stars, nebulae, galaxies, and quasars have been used to explore the concepts of relativity and cosmology.
DSPS Accomodations - “SBCC students with verified disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations should use the following procedure:
· Step 1: Obtain documentation of your disability from a licensed professional. You may contact DSPS to request a Disability Verification Form.
· Step 2: Make an appointment to meet with a DSPS Specialist to review your documentation and discuss reasonable accommodations. To schedule a meeting, please call DSPS at (805) 730-4164.
· Step 3: Bring your disability documentation to your DSPS appointment. The DSPS office is located in room 160 of the Student Services building.
· Step 4: Each semester, reach written accommodation agreement with the DSPS Specialist and your instructor.
Please complete this process in a timely manner to allow adequate time to provide accommodation.”
Astronomy Lab: The astronomy lab component of this course (ERTH-102) is not required, however is highly recommended (and may be important for transfer). The one unit lab is held in the Planetarium and Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The lab is a hands-on, activity based experience which teaches you how and why the sky appears to move as it does, the names of stars, planets and constellations in the current sky, as well as how to see them with a small telescope. If you are unable to get into the lab this semester, be sure to register early next semester. You may take the lab any semester and it will still transfer with this lecture course as a science with a lab.
Pipeline and Moodle: All students are required to make use of SBCC's PIPELINE and MOODLE service for participation in classroom activities and assignments and so that the instructor (and other students in your class) may contact you. It is required that you check your PIPELINE account a few times per week. I always check my Pipeline account first.
Attendance: It is my experience that students who do not attend - do not succeed. This is because the nature of the discipline is such that the lecture presentations, physical demonstrations, and laboratory experience (for those enrolled in ERTH-102) are all vital and integral components of a solid foundation in this discipline. I look forward to seeing all of you in class regularly. Attendance/participation quizzes will be given daily. Be sure to bring writing materials to class with you at all times. Bringing your textbook to class is not required, but a good idea if you want to meet with others (or the tutors) to study before or after class.
Drop Policy: Adding and dropping courses is a student responsibility, do not expect the instructor to do it for you. In general though, students may be dropped after missing 2 classes in a row, or 3 classes total. If there are extenuating circumstances, be sure to let me know (in advance if at all possible). Students who do not show for the first few days of class, or who do not continue attending, will be dropped to make room for those on the waiting list.
Missing Class: By registering for this class, you have contracted with the school and with the instructor for lecture class hours, lab hours, and 2-3 homework hours out of class for every hour in class. Sign the attendance sheet each time you come to class. If you miss 2-3 classes, you may be dropped without consultation. If you must miss a class, make arrangements with other students to have your work turned in on time and to have notes taken for you. You should check with other students to see what material was covered and if any important announcements were made. No due date extensions are given for students who miss class. You do not need to contact me to let me know that you will miss class.
Missing Exams: Due to large class sizes and multiple sections, logistically, it is difficult to administer makeup exams and it is not fair to other students that some individuals should get additional time to study. If you have a legitimate reason for missing an exam, please contact me by email as soon as possible to make arrangements to make it up. You will need proof to make up the exam.
Reviewing your Exams: Exams will be kept by the instructor. You are encouraged to come in to review your exams. You may review exams in the department office EBS 114. These materials will be available only during our department secretary's posted times, and only until the next test is given. You are encouraged to discuss difficult class concepts with tutors and your instructor.
Honor: I would like to encourage a healthy educational environment of trust and academic responsibility. I will trust you to pursue academic success with honor and integrity. I do not anticipate any problems but any indication of cheating (no matter how minor the infraction) will result in an F in the course with your name being turned in to the administration. This can result in a permanent blemish on your transcript as well as expulsion. If it is apparent that you have copied, or falsely represented your work, or you have made the same errors as the solution manual, solution key, or others in your class, you will be removed from the course. The person being copied from will be considered an accomplice and subject to equal penalty. If a homework or test problem is in question, you may be asked to solve it for your instructor or explain each and every step of your solution. Conduct yourselves with honor and integrity. Clicker quizzes are no different than regular quizzes. Clicking for others, or having others click for you, will be cause for dismissal from class.
Get Ahead: If you consistently keep up with the material you will do well. It is easy to get ahead but difficult to catch up should you fall behind! Material at the end of the course can be challenging. Do not let this catch you by surprise. For those who keep up, the class can be fun and rewarding!
Be On Time: Entering and leaving during class can be disruptive to students and staff. Certainly if you are running late, do join us, but please make a considerate effort to be on time.
Turn Technology Off: Cell phones, Ipods, and other portable electronic devices, are disruptive and distractive to other students. Turn OFF all such devices during the entire class session. Cell phone use in class is cause for dismissal. FIRST OFFENSE you are thrown out of class for the day (or to stay in class, you must place your phone on the instructor's desk for the remainder of the class session). SECOND OFFENSE you will be removed from the course and given an F (or to stay in the class, you must place your cell phone on the instructor's desk each day you come to class for the remainder of the course). You may use cell phones before class, during break (for the night class), and after class, but at no other times. For clarification, using your cell phone for ANY purpose (texting, photos, calendar, notes) is considered a violation. Sorry to be so strict, but I did not become a teacher to compete with cell phones, to regulate cell phone use, or to judge if each cell phone activity is an allowable activity, etc. Let's keep it simple. No cell phones.
No Food or Drink in Class (Water Bottles OK): Health and Safety Code Regulations dictate that there is to be no food or drink in the classroom. Please no eating during class. Point penalties may apply as indicated above.
No Laptops without DSPS/INSTRUCTOR AUTHORIZATION: You may not use a laptop during class. Laptop screens (and the light they emit during slide presentations) can be very distractive to other students. Also, it is my experience that many students often work on non-class related projects with their laptops. Please copy your notes to your laptop outside of class time.
Important Links:
· TURNING IN PAPERS and use of SCANTRONS
· FIELD TRIPS and GEOLOGY FIELD COURSES
Join our school club (fun people, events, activities, discounts) - Search on Facebook for "SBCC Astronomy Club"
· TIME MANAGEMENT / STUDY TIME
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