ASTRONOMY 1011-6

PLANETARY ASTRONOMY LAB

Spring Semester 2009

Meeting Time:  T 9:35-12:20

Meeting Place:   Sundquist Science Center B-107

Credit:                    3 hour Lab = 1 Credit hour

Instructor:                        Michael Smitka

            Office:          SSC B323     Phone: 221-6157

            Hours:          MWRF 11:00-12:00, T 12:20-1:25
                      Or by appointment

Or you can call to see if I’m in my office at any time

            E-mail:         smitkam@apsu.edu

Website:               www.apsu.edu/astronomy/

Textbook:                        all lab instructions must be downloaded from the above

                                    website prior to the beginning of each lab.

Course Description: The lab is to be taken concurrently with Astronomy 1010 Planetary Astronomy. The laboratory is designed to enhance your understanding of the material covered in the lecture as well as give you hands-on experience with the gathering and analysis of scientific data.

 Grading:   The grade is based entirely on the lab write-ups you turn in. Each lab will be graded out of 10 points. A numerical total for the labs will be given to your lecture professor at the end of the semester to be incorporated with your course grade. You will receive the same letter grade in lab that you receive in the lecture.

Attendance: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If you should miss a lab, for whatever reason, you must make arrangements to make-up the lab with the instructor. More than two un-made-up lab absences will result in automatic failure of the course.

Disability Policy:        

Any student that has a condition that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me and with Disability Services (telephone 221-6230;voice 221-6278; voice tty) to discuss the matter. This discussion should take place ASAP.

Academic & Classroom Misconduct:

            Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting.

Course Objectives:

1.    To help students develop an understanding of the scientific method.

2.    To introduce students to the historical development of the science of astronomy and how that development influenced other sciences and philosophies throughout history and across cultures.

3.    To help students develop competence in reading scientific materials, listening and taking notes in lectures and responding in written and oral form.

4.    To help students develop the skills of critical thinking and logical analysis.

5.    To promote the understanding and use of numbers, the metric system of units and statistics in making and interpreting measurements.

Lab Schedule

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.