NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Physics 103 (Spring 2002) Tentative syllabus

(Universe: Past, Present, Future)

 

Instructor: Dr. Mahmoud Khalili                                             Section: 31

Office: 221 C Science Bldg.                                                    Time: 5:40 PM - 6:55 PM

Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday (4:00-6:00 PM)                  Days: Tuesday & Thursday

                             Wednesday (4:00-6:00 PM)                        Room: S 102

Telephone: (773) 442-5791

E-Mail: M-Khalili@neiu.edu                            Web Page: WWW.neiu.edu/~mKhalili

 

I.  Prerequisites: None 
 
II. Course (catalog) Description:
 
     This is an introductory astronomy course intended for non-science majors, requiring some basic algebra.  It deals with the historical development of astronomy, the solar system and planetary motion, the physics of motion, electromagnetic radiation and astronomical instruments, the stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, the big bang and cosmology.
 
III.  Learning Objectives:
 
     By the end of the course, the students should be able:
 
To have knowledge of the basic mathematics used in astronomy including the metric system, exponents and angular measure.
 
To understand how scientists evaluate hypothesis and develop theories.
 
To understand how the scientific method and how it relates to observation and experimentation.
 
To have an appreciation of the historical development of astronomy, and its relationship to the advancement of civilization.
 
To be able to describe the geology of the planets and the moon and to compare them with the earth.
 
To explain the general theories of the origin and evolution of the solar system.
 
To describe the basic methods involved in determining the distances, masses and sizes of stars.
 
To have an understanding of the structure, organization and evolution of the galaxies.
To explain the theories of the origin of the universe and the tests for these theories.
 
To understand the meaning of Relativity, Cosmology, Big Bang, Expanding Universe and Evolution.
 
IV.   Academic Integrity:
 
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere
to accepted standards of academic integrity.  Therefore, Institution adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student Handbook. You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct in the College Catalog. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are:  cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.
 
    It is the student's responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.
 
    Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy
and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
 
V.  Outline of Topics: See attached page.
 
VI. Methods of Instruction:
 
Much of the material in the course will be presented from a lecture/discussion format, however as the study of the earth, our planets, our sun, other suns and our galaxy can be a visual experience, some use of audio-visual material in various formats will be used to supplement the lectures.  Often slides, transparencies, videotapes and films will be used to present theory, observations and presenting certain concepts. Do not fail to take notes from the visual presentations, as frequently the material will not be repeated in a lecture setting.
 
VII. Course Practices Required:
 
     It is expected that you will read the required text and handout assignments before coming to class.
 
VIII.  Instructional Materials: 
 
    Astronomy A Beginner Guide to the Universe, Third Edition: By Chaisson & McMillan
 
You should have a notebook and/or a folder to contain the numerous handouts and worksheets you will receive during the course.
 
IX.   Methods of Evaluation:
 
Your progress will be monitored through the use of examinations, Tests, work exercises and class discussions. Questions at the end of each chapter are to be used for your review. They will not be collected for credit. There will be two examinations. Each exam will be valued at 100 points. There will be four tests each valued at 20 points. There will be several assessments for the course these assessments are your personal opinion about the course, method of teaching and class environment. These assessments will help me to improve quality of the class. The assessments will not be graded but you will receive 20 points for your participation. Also there will be online homework quizzes and classroom activity and short pop up quiz. On line homework quiz and classroom activity and quiz worth each 40 points.                              
       Your final course grade will be determined by the total number of points earned in each of the following areas of evaluation.

1.  On line homework quiz                  40 Pts.                              Point             Grade

2: Classroom quiz                                 40 Pts                          360 - 400                A

3: Test (Each 20 Pts)                            80 Pts                          320 - 359                B

4: Midterm Exam                                  100 Pts                        240 - 319                C

5: Final Exam                                        100 Pts                        200 - 239                D

6: Assessment Survey                          20 Pts                   Less than 200                   F                                                                                        

7: Project                                             20 Pts                                                                                 

Total                                                   400      

 
X.  Other Course Information:
 
A.   Attendance is expected at all scheduled meetings.  Further, it is expected that you will be in class, be prepared to discuss the issues and be ready to participate in the class activities.
 
B.   Please refer to Item IV of this syllabus, the College Catalog and/or the Student Handbook for a statement of the Universities policy on plagiarism/cheating and other forms of Academic dishonesty.
 
C.   Assignments that are late will be accepted.  However, 10% of
the original score will be deducted for each school day assignment if late.  The late date for submitting any assignment is Friday.
 
D.   Make-up examinations and Tests are not encouraged. However, if you find that it is not possible to take an exam/Test on the scheduled time/date, a make-up may be arranged upon verification of your acceptable excuse. 
     
E.   According to the department of Physics policy, you must pass each Test, mid term and final exam in order to pass the course. (Passing grade for each exam, or test is 60%) 
 
F.   Project will be discussed on the first day of class
 

VI: Outline of Topics (Spring 2002)

Physics 103 (Spring 2001)  (Universe: Past, Present, Future)

 

Week #1                                               Prologue                                              

                                                                Prologue                                                                               

 

Week #2                                               Chapter 1:  Copernican Revolution                                                                                                                            Chapter 1                                                                              

 

Week #3                                               Chapter 1                              

                                                                Chapter 2:  Light and Matter           

 

Week #4                                               Chapter 2                              

                                                                Chapter 2, (Test 1: P, Ch 1)                                                              

 

Week #5                                               Chapter 3:  Telescopes                       

                                                                Chapter 4:  The Solar System                                                                           

 

Week #6                                               Chapter 5:  Earth and Its Moon

                                                (Test 2: Ch 2, Ch 3)                                                                           

                                                                Chapter 5                                                              

 

Week #7                                               Review                  

                                                                Mid Term, (P, Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5)                                                                                

Week #8                                               Chapter 6:  The Terrestrial Planets                                 

                                                                Chapter 6              

 

Week #9                                               Chapter 7:  The Jovian Planets

                                                                Chapter 7

 

Week #10                                             Chapter 9:  The Sun

                                                                Chapter 9

 

Week #11                                             Chapter 10:  Measuring the Stars

                                                                Chapter 10, (Test 3: Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 9)

 

Week #12                                             Chapter 12:  Stellar Evolution

                                                                Chapter 12,

 

Week #13                                             Chapter 13:  Neutron Stars and Black Hotels

                                                               

 

Week #14                                             Chapter 13 Neutron Stars and Black Hotels

                                                (Test 4: Ch 10, Ch 12)

 

                                                                Chapter 14:  The Milky Way Galaxy

 

Week #15                                             Chapter 18:  Life in the Universe

                                                                                                Review

 

 


FINAL EXAM                                                                           

   (Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 12, Ch 12, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 18)