See information about THE FINAL below under the "Final Examination" heading.

Contact Information:

email: Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca

Home Pages: http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/

Research Office:

Allen Room 514 Phone: 474-7105

Tutorial/Office Hours:

Allen Room 514, Monday at 3:30pm.
- Come and ask the professor questions, get tips, etc. (Or email to make an appointment.)

Astronomy Discussion Group,

Location and time TBA - 1st one at the 1st tutorial hour.
- Join a group of people to discuss topics in astronomy, whether they are covered in class or not. The group can change the date and time. (Also see information at the end of this document about the UM Astronomy Club.)

Websites:

-- Dr. English's PHYS 1810 class website at http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2012fallphys1810/index.html
This site includes links to:

• Detailed Topic Outline (Schedule)
• Supplemental Resources (Important Links)

-- Mr. Cameron's website announced at the labs.

Laboratory Instructor: Mr. Ian Cameron, 474-9785, Ian_Cameron@umanitoba.ca

(Updated Oct 21, 2012.)

Continually check the class website for updates about, for example, test reviews, topics, and schedules.

Synopsis:

The topics covered in this course outline the properties of stars and galaxies that can be observed and the physics necessary to interpret these observations. It includes a brief introduction to planets, exotic stars, and cosmology. Using lectures and laboratory sections, it provides an astronomy background and introduction to the scientific method. It ranges from introductory physical background to considering current research problems. This course is mainly descriptive, taught at a qualitative level, with simple arithmetic and trigonometry used frequently. A few special sessions at Glenlea Observatory and the Lockhart Planetarium introduce the student to constellations and scientific method.

Topics in general are listed below and the more Detailed Topic Outline will be updated at http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2012fallphys1810/phys1810sched.html as the course progresses.

Textbook :

• Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan, the 7th Edition.
• IClicker - a classroom response system keypad. Available at the bookstore. Will be used for in-class participation quizzes.
• For the laboratory and assignments: Items to be described by Mr. Cameron.

Supplemental Material - Links to Websites

• Astronomy Picture of the Day
  Many images used in the class come from this site. Check the archive.
• Supplemental Resource Links. Please check the supplemental resource site regularly since additional links will appear as the course progresses. Some of the material may be on tests and the exam.

Links to Study Methods

• PQRST study method
• Learning Assistance Centre Workshops:
  Includes Taking Useful Class Notes, How to Prepare for Exams, etc.
  Learning Assistance Centre Workshops
  Also discover your Learning Style
• Cornell Note Taking Method:
  • Description in Plain Text
    
  • Link to Dartmouth Academic Skills Website
• See the practice math links on the supplemental resource website.
• Anxiety workshops at the Student Counselling and Career Centre.

Grading

• 40% based on 2 term tests (20% each).
• 5% based on "iclicker" participation in-class.
• 30% based on the final examination (2 hours).
• 25% based on laboratory exercises, one evening observing assignment at the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory, and one observing project.

Test Information

• In-class "iclicker" quizzes.

  When: Questions will be asked in every class starting Sept 12th, except for days with term tests.
  Value: 5% in total over the whole term.

• Term tests

  There will be 2 term tests.
  • Duration: 1 hour in the evening.
  • Location: TBA
  • Value: Each test is worth 20%. Together they are 40% of the total mark for the course.
    There will be no deferred or rewrite term test under any circumstance. In the case that a doctor's note provides a reason for missing a test (illness, funeral, etc.), then a mark for the test will be assessed from the final exam. This will also hold for a student representing the university at an event (e.g. sports) given a coach's note (the coach must consult with the instructor beforehand).
  • Tentatively Scheduled Dates:
    Test 1: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, 6:30 pm Room 200 Armes
    Here is a review of information for the first test
    
    Test 2: Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, 6:30 pm Room 200 Armes
    Here is a review of information for the second test
    
  • No programmable calculators or textbooks allowed. Note: cell phones, pagers, PDAs, MP3 units or electronic translators are explicitly listed as unauthorized materials, and must not be present during tests or examinations.
  
  

• Final Examination:

  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Held Weds, Dec 19th at 9:00 am Frank Kennedy Brown Gym Seats 1-149.
  • Value: Test is worth 30%.
    Deferred exams are arranged by the student with their faculty, not with the instructor of the course.
  • The exam topics will be listed in the detailed topics outline. It will cover the material that follows after the material examined on the second term test. (Starts with planetary system formation.) Note that material relevant to this section from earlier lectures needs to be reviewed.
  • There will be a number of images and several math questions. No programmable calculators, or textbooks allowed.
  • Approximately 50-60 multiple choice questions, including True/False and image-based questions.
  • Note: cell phones, pagers, PDAs, MP3 units or electronic translators are explicitly listed as unauthorized materials, and must not be present during tests or examinations.
  • TIPS for the final.
    
  Also see "supplemental material" list above.

Tentative Topic Outline:

More Detailed Topic Outline

The Faculty of Science asks us to inform you that academic dishonesty has serious consequences. To learn how to avoid fraud, plagiarism, and inappropriate collaboration, as well as the consequences please visit:
Academic Dishonesty Guidelines and Penalties at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/undergrad/resources/webdisciplinedocuments.html
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty. at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/resources/Acad_Dishon_TABLE_RevCSS_AdminC_Jul2012_WEB.pdf
The Student Discipline Bylaw may be accessed http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/students/868.htm

Student Affairs also has a page:
Honesty and Integrity at http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/index.html
How to avoid cheating and plagiarism -- take the Academic Honesty Quiz at http://umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/academic_honesty_quiz.html
And see the Course Credit and Changes to Fee Cancellation Policy and Practices document (last 2 sections).

• The Astronomy Path in the Physics and Astronomy Program
  Scroll down to the astronomy stream outline at http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar10/faculties/science/physics/
• The UM Astronomy Club - for people in any program! The Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/groups/195179190589480/ and email address is umastroclub@gmail.com.