Cuesta College :: Astronomy 10 Lab :: Spring 2008
Calendar Policies Worksheets Grades
    *.html


Carefully read the following course policy (*.html version 080118) regarding contact information, grading, and attendance.


Welcome to Astronomy 10 Lab
      This laboratory is a separate "hands-on" course from Astronomy 10.   You do not have to be concurrently enrolled in Astronomy 10 lecture.   The prerequisite for this course is either Math 23, Math 23SI or the equivalent.
      Unless previous arrangements have been made, you are only allowed to attend the one section that you are registered for:

Section 4161   M   3:00-6:00 PM   Room 2402 (SLO)
Section 6544   M   6:30-9:30 PM   Room 2402 (SLO)
Section 4162   Tu   3:00-6:00 PM   Room N2409 (NCC)
Section 4163   W   3:00-6:00 PM   Room 2402 (SLO)
Section 5168   TuTh   3:30-6:30 PM   Room 2402 (SLO)


Learning Goals
      This one-semester course is a quantitative survey of and introduction to the conceptual aspects of astronomy.   Student learning outcomes are organized into six general topics:
  • Keep abreast of present-day discoveries and developments in astronomy (current events).
  • Construct and use devices to measure the locations, sizes, and be able to quantify conditions on/of the celestial sphere (observational astronomy).
  • Develop and test physical models of the properties of solar system bodies (planetology).
  • Apply universal laws of gravitation and motion, and spectroscopy to remotely determine properties of satellites, planets, and stars (astronometry).
  • Collect data, evaluate the data using error analysis, draw conclusions from the data.
  • Explain the information in a laboratory report.
Class Materials
      These are all available at the Cuesta College Bookstores (San Luis Obispo campus: 546-3206; North County campus: 591-6206), and must be brought with you to every lab:
  • Scientific calculator; must be able to perform simple arithmetic functions (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division), handle scientific (10^x) notation, perform trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions and exponential functions.
  • Edmund Scientific Star and Planet Locator "starwheel"; $2.50 new.
  • Project STAR refracting telescope (optional); $8.50 new.
      No specific astronomy textbook is required, but access to one is encouraged for reference purposes.   Web-related resources may also be used to research background information.
      There is no lab manual for this course, but you are responsible for downloading, printing out, and bringing all worksheets to class from the course website (http://www.waiferx.com/Physics/).

Contact Information
Dr. Patrick M. Len (sections 4161, 4162, 4163)
office: Room 2308 (SLO), Room N2430 (NCC)
phone: 546-3100, x2693
e-mail: P M L @ w a i f e r x . c o m
office hours:
      MWF (SLO) 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
      Th (NCC) 3:00-5:00 PM

Ms. Mitra Farahmand (section 6544)
office: Room 2013 (or Room 2101)
e-mail: m f a r a h m a @ c u e s t a . e d u
office hours:
      M 5:30-6:30 PM (2101/2013)

Dr. Russell M. Genet (section 5168)
office: (TBA)
phone: 546-3100, x2821
e-mail: R G E N E T @ c u e s t a . e d u
office hours:
      TBA

Course Grading
      There is no curve for this course, your performance is determined by a 100-point scale.   A *.pdf worksheet is available to keep track of your in-class lab and individual project scores throughout this semester.

      85-100+ points  A
      70-84 points  B
      55-69 points  C
      40-54 points  D
        0-39 points  F

In-class labs are graded as collaborative group work, as determined by grading a randomly selected worksheet from one group member.   There are 13 in-class labs.   Absences from in-class labs are to be "made-up" with additional independent projects.   You must accumulate at least 40.0 in-class points by the end of the semester (e.g., by attending and receiving full-credit on at least eight in-class labs), or you will receive a failing grade for this course, regardless of the amount of your independent outreach and project points.