Astronomy Syllabus – M. W. Milligan, Farragut High School
Hello and welcome to Astronomy! In this course you will learn about the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe! Considering the vast distances and spans of time involved it is really incredible what we humans have learned about our surroundings over the past few hundred years. It is my goal that you gain an appreciation and a working understanding of these findings.
GRADING POLICY
The student’s grade at any point during the term is equal to the percentage of points earned with respect to the total number of points possible. The following scale will be used:
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
0 – 59 F
There will be no extra credit given and all points will be related to one of the following:
Homework
In order to receive full credit for homework it must be legible, neatly labeled, and on time. Method of solution or logical explanation must be written out for all problems and questions.
Each unit of study will last about two weeks and will end with a unit test involving open-ended questions, problem solving, and/or multiple choice.
As per Farragut High School policy there will be cumulative midterm and final exams. The final exam will account for 15% of the final grade average for the course.
This optional assignment is a personal log of celestial observations, which includes date, time, location, and description of each event. Certain observations will be required. Some observations will be made at school while others must be made at home on the student’s own time. The score out of 100 points on this project will replace the lowest test grade. This assignment is not required and students may opt not to do it.
Students will be required to complete various “hands on” and/or research oriented activities including but not limited to: reports, model construction, physical experiments, computerized simulations, internet research, etc.
Each student is expected to participate in all class activities and will receive a grade each term for doing so. Participating in class includes such things as taking notes, responding to questions, working practice problems, group work, lab exercises, etc.
LATE WORK / MAKE UP
Assigned work will have a due date. Work should be ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period before the bell. Work turned in after the bell will have 10% deducted. Work received one day late after the due date will have 20% of the possible grade deducted. Work received two or more days late will have the maximum deduction of 30%. For this purpose the day ends when class begins. If you are absent on the due date, the due date for you will be extended beyond your return to class the number of consecutive days you were absent prior to the original due date.
You may make up a test of a lab activity in the case that you have an excused absence from class. If you are present on the day of the test you must take the test unless you have missed the previous 2 or more days in a row. It is your responsibility to see me to arrange for the make up work. You have three days upon you return to arrange the make up. Failure to do so may result in a score of zero on the missed work.
If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late to class. If this happens, sign the Attendance Log located near the door. Do not interrupt class! If you have a note, just put it in the pocket of the Attendance Log. Or, if you feel you have a good reason for being late see me after class to get the tardy excused. The policy for unexcused tardies is explained in the student handbook that you received at the beginning of the year.
Students must obtain permission from me before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without my permission puts your academic integrity at risk. All tests will be closed book, closed notes. Calculators may be permitted on some tests but only for purposes of doing calculations. Calculators may not be used to store definitions, equations, or programs that contain material you are expected to memorize. Homework, reports, labs, etc. are not to be copied! It is fine to work with a partner or partners on such assignments but in the end it should be your own work that is turned in. Any student caught cheating will be subject to parent notification and permanent school documentation. Knox County Schools policy: Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s ideas, research, or opinion as your own without proper documentation, even if it has been rephrased. It includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. Copying verbatim all or part of another’s written work;
2. Using phrases, figures, or illustrations without citing the source;
3. Paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source;
4. Using all or part of a literary plot, poem, or film without attributing the work to its creator.
Plagiarism is a form of stealing and academic fraud. Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will have the option of either redoing the assignment within a specified time period and accepting a grade letter drop or taking a zero on the assignment. Parents should be involved in making the decision.
There shall be no food or drinks in the classroom. Cell phones, iPods, etc. must be turned off and put away at all times. Beyond that, let us simply agree to try and build upon the six pillars of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
FEES
There is a fee of $15 for Astronomy. These fees have been approved by the Knox County Board of Education. This money helps to provide unique materials for astronomy education, including a planisphere and a telescope kit – both of which the student may retain for use beyond the time in this class. Any students receiving free or reduced price meals may have this fee waived. Having sufficient funds can have a direct impact on the quality of this course – thank you! The amount may be paid by cash, check made out to Farragut High School, or online at: https://knoxschools.schoolcashonline.com.
GETTING HELP!
I have tried to anticipate most situations and questions in preparing this syllabus. However, I know there will always be some circumstances that are impossible to foresee. Please let me know ASAP if you have some special conditions or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in this class. I am willing to be flexible if the cause is sufficient. Also, don't hesitate to seek me outside of class if you are having difficulties. I care. After all, it is my job to help you learn and that's what it's all about. I hope we have a fun and productive year.
I am available for extra help and tutoring before or after school most days – however, the best times for me are: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Additional information, calendars, due dates, resources, etc. can be found at:
Mr. M’s World: |
http://www.milliganphysics.com |
Canvas: |
https://knoxschools.instructure.com |
Aspen & Parent: |
https://aspen.knoxschools.org/ |
Farragut High School Home: |
http://www.knoxschools.org/farraguths |
Students are asked to bring the following materials to class daily:
·
Scientific calculator – preferably a TI-30, TI-83, 84, 89, or
Nspire
(I recommend TI-30, TI-84 if you are buying a new calculator.)
· Protractor
· Clear (i.e. “see through”) plastic ruler with metric scale (centimeters)
· Graph paper
· 3-Ring Binder – This will be for class notes, handouts, etc. but it will not be turned in at any time.
· Optional: Spiral notebook at least 5 x 7 inches in size – This should be a “single subject” notebook – 50 pages is plenty. See directions for Observation Notebook.
Course RESOURCEs
Text: OpenStax Astronomy, Astronomy. OpenStax CNX. Jul 8, 2018 http://cnx.org/contents/2e737be8-ea65-48c3-aa0a-9f35b4c6a966@14.4
The following videos may be shown at some point during the course in astronomy:
Creation of the Universe PBS
Nova: Hunt for Alien Worlds PBS
Nova: Eclipse of the Century PBS
Nova: Countdown to the Invisible Universe PBS
Nova: Death of a Star PBS
Nova: Venus Unveiled PBS
Mysteries of Deep Space, Vol. I – III PBS
Voyage to the Outer Planets and Beyond Today Home Entertainment
Black Holes New River Media
The Amazing Space Shuttle, STS-1 thru STS-8 Holiday Video Library
Apollo Moon Landings Holiday Video Library
Men in Space, From Goddard to Armstrong A&E Home Video
Pathfinder: Race to Mars, The NASA Briefings IVN Entertainment Inc.
Eureka: Heat and Temperature Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Earth Revealed, Vol. 1 – 26 Films for the Humanities and Sciences
If you do not approve of a specific resource listed in this syllabus, please make your request to me in writing and an alternative assignment and/or materials will be provided. The request should include your name, the child's name, the specific activity/materials in which you do not want your child to participate or to which you do not want them exposed, and the nature of your objection. The Knox County School Board affirms that it is essential that the teaching about religion—and not of a religion be conducted in a factual, objective and respectful manner in accordance with the following: 1. Music, art, literature, or drama with a religious theme or basis are permitted as part of the curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs provided it is essential to the learning experience in the various fields of study and is presented objectively; 2. The emphasis on religious themes in the arts, literature and history shall be only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study of these areas. Such studies shall never foster any particular religious tenets or demean any religious beliefs; and 3. Student-initiated expressions to questions or assignments which reflect their beliefs or non-beliefs about a religious theme shall be accommodated. For example, students are free to express religious belief or non-belief in compositions, art forms, music, speech and debate.
This course correlates with the Knox County Schools
guideline for astronomy.
(see milliganphysics.com/astronomy/Astronomy_Standards.pdf)
A. Measurement and
Calculation
Astronomical techniques, conventions, and units of measure; review of geometrical
concepts such as angle relations and trigonometry; review of algebra
B. The Visible
Sky
Coordinate systems, frames of reference, constellations, the ecliptic, motions
of the sun, moon, planets, stars, etc.
C. Cosmological
Models
Ancient models of the sky, astrology, Ptolemy’s geocentric model, Copernicus’
heliocentric model, Kepler’s Laws, Modern Laws of Motion, Galileo’s works,
Newton’s Laws, Einstein’s theories of relativity
D. Electromagnetic
Radiation
Visible astronomy: optical telescopes; invisible astronomy: UV, IR, radio,
gamma, etc.; spectroscopy; Doppler effect – red shift, blue shift
E. Inner Planets
Physical properties of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars (and their moons);
orbits and rotation; evolution
F. Outer Planets
Physical properties of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (and their
moons); orbits and rotation; evolution
G. The Solar System
Asteroids, comets, meteors and meteorites, origin and evolution of the solar
system
H. The Sun
Physical properties and makeup, fusion process, sunspots, solar flares,
magnetic field
I. The
Stars: Other Suns
Distances, colors, temperatures, sizes, spectral classification,
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, binary systems
J. Stellar
Evolution
Star birth and death, white dwarfs, red giants, neutron stars, novas,
supernovas, pulsars, black holes
K. Other Celestial
Objects and Phenomena
The Milky Way, other galaxies, quasars, dark matter, SETI, Big Bang theory