ASTR 202 is an introductory course which surveys the sun, planetary motions, interplanetary fields and plasmas, the planets, their satellites and rings, and comets. The main goals of this course are to learn some basic facts and ideas about the solar system, to learn about how astronomers and physicists acquire and interpret this information, to develop skills in analytical thinking and quantitative analysis, and to simply enjoy "exploring new worlds"!
Prerequisites: High school mathematics, including some simple trigonometry (sines and cosines) and algebra (squares, square roots, logarithms, etc.), but no calculus.
Credit: 3 semester hours. Restricted distribution course, Group III.
Meeting Time: MWF 10:00am - 10:50am.
Classroom: Herman Brown Hall 227.
Course web page: http://landau.rice.edu/~aac/astr202/
Please note: Some announcements (such as schedule changes and/or room changes) may be distributed via email - please check your email regularly!
Universe, sixth edition, R. A. Freedman and W. J. Kaufmann
III, W. H. Freeman and Company.
| Grading Weights: | Homework | 55% |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | 45% |
Homework Policy: Students are encouraged to discuss the general concepts of a homework problem, but each student must work out the details of the problems and write up their homework solutions independently. It may be useful to work out the details of a conceptually similar problem with your classmates. Of course, you are not permitted to copy anyone else's homework solution, that would be a violation of the honor code. Similarly, for essay-type questions the work you hand in should be an expression of your own thoughts in your own words.
Homework Late Policy: Homework sets will generally be worth 100 points each. Fifteen points will be deducted for each day or part of a day late. Homework will not be graded after the sixth day late. There is no penalty for handing in homework early!
Exams: Three pledged, in-class exams will be given during the course. There will be no final exam.