Astronomy 101, Autumn 2007

Sections AH & AJ

TA: Adam Kowalski

email: kowalski@astro.washington.edu

TA website: www.astro.washington.edu/kowalski

Office: B341 Physics & Astronomy (B wing, see directions at end of syllabus)

Office hours: (in my office) Tuesdays & Thursdays (10:30am-11:30am) or by appointment.

Basic Information:

AH: 11:30-12:20 (Tue - Room 216; Thu - Room 210)

AJ: 12:30-1:20 (Tue - Room 216; Thu - Room 210)

In section you will enjoy a hands-on experience not possible in lecture, and which is more similar to the practices of actual astronomers. We will do laboratory experiments & computer labs, review lecture material, and visit the planetarium.

Grading

Section work will count for 50% of your total grade. Your section grade will be based off the following:

- 6 labs @ 30 pts each = 180 pts

- 11 Quizzes @ 5 pts each (drop lowest) = 50 pts (check website for next quiz date)

Policies

...Bring your Course Pak and textbooks to Sections!

...Late Work:

Lab exercises are due at the beginning of class, one week from when they are assigned. Late labs will receive 20/30 maximum credit, but you will not receive any credit if I have already graded it and handed it back. Seek arrangement with me at least 24 hours in advance if you think you have a legitimate excuse for late work. Missed quizzes may NOT be made up.

...Sickness:

If you are sick and cannot come to class, let me know by email as soon as you can. Extended absences require a doctor's note.

...And when there is Math:

When you are asked to do some math, always show your work. You will not receive full credit if you do not show your work.

...Group work:

Working in groups is encouraged. It is alright to bounce ideas off one another and discuss concepts and problems; however, all homework and labs must be written up in your own words, and you must be ready to defend your answers. If I suspect you of copying someone else's work, I will pursue the incident fully in accordance to the university's policies on cheating and academic dishonesty.

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Directions to my office:

1. Start at the peanut-looking sculpture outside the Physics and Astronomy buildings. The building on your left is the A wing, the tallest building straight ahead is the C wing, and the building on your right is the B wing.

2. Enter the long, squat building (B wing) to your right through the set of doors to the left of 3 rows of bike racks.

3. Once inside the doors, the elevator is on your left. Take it to the 3^rd floor.

4. Upon exiting the elevator on the 3^rd floor you should find a set of double doors to your immediate right. Go through them and turn right.

5. Continue down the long hallway until you get to my office, B341. It will be on the left side of the hall, with my name posted next to the door.

Directions to my mailbox:

1. Start at the peanut-looking sculpture outside the Physics and Astronomy buildings.

2. Enter the tallest building straight ahead (C wing).

3. Take the elevator to the 3^rd floor.

4. Take a left, and then a right into a room with copy machines and my mailbox.

“The number of grains of sand [on all the beaches of Earth] is comparable to the number of stars in the observable universe.” ~ Carl Sagan