Spring 2008
Tu/Th 1:00 - 2:15
Hasbrouck 134
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Instructor:
- Neal Katz
532 Graduate Research Tower
Phone: 545-2085
Office Hours: Tu/Th 2:15 - 3:15 or by appointment
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Attendance is the single most important
way to ensure success in this course.
- Reading: Assignments in the text ("Stars and Galaxies," by
Michael A. Seeds (5th Edition)) for each class will be given at the beginning of the
preceding class and are required.
- Quizzes: There will be 7 quizzes throughout the semester.
Only your five highest quizzes will count towards your final grade (you can
drop your lowest two), each one worth 2.5% for a total of 12.5% of the final
grade.
The quizzes are identical to the exams, multiple choice questions,
but are much shorter in length and will only take 5 to 10 minutes.
- Exams: There will be three one-hour exams, each worth 15%
of the final grade, and one final exam, worth 20%. The exams will
be multiple choice.
Exam questions will be drawn from both class material and reading assignments.
Anything discussed in class or in the reading may appear on an exam.
The one-hour exams will be administered on an optional "pyramid"
basis, in which you may take each exam twice: once in class for 75% of
the exam grade, and once at home to be turned in the following class for
25% of the exam grade.
Makeup exam policy: Makeup exams will be given only for
documented medical or family emergencies or by prior arrangement.
- Homework: There will be 8 homework assignments.
Only your seven highest homework assignments will count towards your final
grade (you can drop your lowest), worth 2.5%
each, for a total of 17.5% of the final grade.
- Project:: There will be a small semester project that counts for
5% of the final grade.
- Extra credit: There is none.
- Late assignments: Late assignments will receive half credit.
- Grades will be assigned on a modified straight scale. Scores will
be adjusted upward if the exam is too hard.
The guaranteed minimum grade:
| 93% | A |
| 90% | A- |
| 87% | B+ |
| 83% | B |
| 80% | B- |
| 77% | C+ |
| 73% | C |
| 70% | C- |
| 67% | D+ |
| 60% | D |
Summary of Components of Final Grade:
| 5 quizzes | 12.5% |
| 3 One-hour exams | 45% |
| Final exam | 20% |
| 7 Homeworks | 17.5% |
| Project | 5% |
- Academic Honesty is expected of all scientists, and also
of all students of science.
Nighttime viewing through the UMass campus telescope on Orchard
Hill will be available every Thursday night from 7:30 - 9:30
PM, courtesy of UMass graduate students in astronomy. You are
welcome to stop by and see with your own eyes many of the objects and
phenomena we discuss in class.
There is an Astronomy Help Desk staffed by
students:
- Place: Hasbrouck 205
- Days: Mon - Thu
- Time: 7:00-9:00 PM