Physics 101: Solar System Astronomy with Astrobiology emphasis
Dr. Monika KressAstrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the Universe. It is a new field of science that involves astronomy as well as microbiology, paleontology, genetics, geology, planetary science, atmospheric science, oceanography, and other sciences. In this course, we will explore the scientific reasons behind why our Solar System harbors a living planet. We will learn the factors that allow the Earth to support life, while the other planets appear to be lifeless (currently). This is a field with many more questions than answers! This course covers some of the most exciting science happening today, so I encourage you to ask lots of questions before, during or after class.
Please read the assigned sections BEFORE class. We will occasionally have a short quiz on the reading during the first 5 minutes of class. (Make sure you’re on time!) Depending on how things go, we might not stick exactly to the schedule below. So don't miss class, and if you do, check out the website for changes to the syllabus.
Grading: 20% each exam (there will be 3 including the final), 20% labs, 20% in-class quizzes, homework and your presentation at the end of the quarter. Keep up with the assigned reading and homework problems.
On days where there is no assigned reading, we will continue our discussion of the previous day's material. There will be several homework assignments and quizzes throughout the quarter. Good attendance and turning in all assignments are essential to succeeding in this (or any) course.
Week 1: No labs this week: use lab time to start organizing your group presentations
3/29 Welcome to the Solar System!
3/30 Ch 1: A Universe of Life?
4/1
4/2 Ch 2: The Science of Life in the Universe
Week 2: No labs this week: use lab time to write up summary sheet
4/5
4/6 Ch 3: The Nature of Life
4/8 Summary sheet for each group presentation is due, w/individual topics
4/9 No class!
Week 3: Lab 1, Groups W1 and F1
4/12 Ch 4: The Geological History of Earth
4/13
4/15 review for exam 1
4/16 Exam 1
Week 4: Lab 1, Groups W2 and F2
4/19
4/20
4/22 Ch 5: The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth
4/23
Week 5: Lab 2, Groups W1 and F1
4/26
4/27 finish up Chapter 5, intro to lab #2
4/29 Ch 6: Searching for Life in Our Solar System
4/30 class cancelled, I am out of town
Week 6: Lab 2, Groups W2 and F2
5/3
5/4 Ch 7: Mars
5/6
5/7
Week 7: Lab 3, Groups W1 and F1
5/10
5/11 Ch 8: Life on Jovian Moons
5/13 review for exam 2
5/14 Exam 2
Week 8: Lab 3, Groups W2 and F2
5/17
5/18
5/20 Ch 9: The Nature and Evolution of Habitability
5/21
Week 9: Lab 4, Groups W1 and F1
5/24 Ch 10: The Search for Habitable Worlds
5/25
5/27 Class presentations
5/28 Class presentations
Week 10: Lab 4, Groups W2 and F2
5/31 No classes!
6/1 Class presentations
6/3 Class presentations
6/4 wrap-up day
Week of June 7
6/7 Last day of class: review lecture, final exam this week
PRESENTATIONS will be May 27 to June 4. The purpose of the presentations is to give you experience working as part of a team, learning how to use technology products such as PowerPoint, preparing a brief talk and giving a digital presentation. Each lab group is to select a team leader who will be responsible for putting all the presentations together on one cd or a USB memory stick. You should use the lab time on your off-weeks to meet with your group to discuss who does what. I will be available during that time to meet with you briefly to get you started. The Gregory Room (across the hall from lab 306) is available for you to meet if you wish.
OBSERVATORY: Tuesday nights will be observing nights. If the sky is clear, we will meet at 8pm sharp outside of Bannan, at the entrance where the auditorium is, and go up to the observatory together, which is on the roof. You are welcome to bring a friend along if you wish.
EXTRA CREDIT: Attendance at lectures will factor in as well - you get points for getting out of bed on time, what a deal! If you wish to do some additional extra credit, please come to my office hours to discuss these possibilities BEFORE you do any extra work! You can get extra credit by doing a one-page writeup of any observatory visits you make during the quarter.
LABS: All labs will meet in Bannan 306 unless otherwise stated. You must attend all lab sessions to pass the course. Space in the labs is limited, so it is not possible to reschedule your lab session without prior clearance and good reason!
LATE POLICY: Being late is highly unprofessional in the real world and it is unacceptable in class. Don't hand stuff in late; don't be late to class. If you do need to hand something in late, make arrangements with me beforehand. Hand in your late stuff IN PERSON. Don't put stuff in my mailbox, under the door, to the secretary, etc. And PLEASE PLEASE NEVER EMAIL ME ATTACHMENTS!!! Thanks!
ASTRONOMY IN THE NEWS: Keep an eye out for any news items you see that may be relevant to topics we will learn about in class. As we speak, there are spacecraft heading to Mars, and a telescope that was just launched into orbit around the Sun. Lots of great stuff is happening every week. At the start of class, let me know and we can discuss it!
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES: I like to vary the format a little bit and let you guys run the show on occasion. If you have suggestions for activities or other things we can do in class, please let me know. I am open to anything that can enhance your learning experience.
HOMEWORK: Working and studying together is highly recommended. However, any work you hand in must be based on your understanding of the concept or question, and written in your own words (and numbers, where appropriate). If you are having trouble with a problem or assignment, please come see me BEFORE it is due! All homework problems should be written out, and your answers written concisely, using complete sentences, etc.
This will not be a math-intensive course, but you will do some crunching of numbers through your calculator. If you are having trouble specifically related to math issues, let me know and we can work on it individually. (That's what I am here for!)
TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS: I will occasionally assign problems that require use of software with which you may not yet be familiar, such as PowerPoint and Excel spreadsheets. Being comfortable using these will serve you well as a student and in the real world. If you are already well versed at using these software packages, please share your knowledge with others to help get them up to speed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!