Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1830 Students

Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1830 Students Winter 2013

Perspective on the Universe: Cosmic Sights

(This syllabus/ROASS is available with working links at Dr. English's regularly update website listed below.)

See information for the 2nd test below under the heading "Term Tests".

Contact Information:: email: Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca; Home Page: http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/
Research Office:: Allen Room 514 Phone: 474-7105
Tutorial Hours:: Allen Room 514, Monday at 2pm
- Come and ask the professor questions, get tips, etc.
Astronomy Discussion Group: - Initial meetings: 1pm Monday, Allen 514. The group can change the date and time.; - Join a group of people to discuss topics in astronomy, whether they are covered in class or not. Meet with or without Dr. English.
Astronomy Club: - For students in all programs and years!; - Initial meeting: TBA; - To join use this contact information:
-- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/195179190589480/
-- email address: umastroclub@gmail.com.

Websites:

CLASS INFORMATION (class website)
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2013winterphys1830/
SCHEDULE (Updated as the course progresses.)
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2013winterphys1830/PHYS1830Schedule2013.html
Powerpoint NOTES (password protected)
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/phys1830
External links e.g. animations.
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english//teachsupplemental/supplemental.html
Visualization workshops. The workshops will be done in class. Download the black & white image files from here:
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2013winterphys1830/bwimaging/. Images are now posted at this website.
Mr. Cameron will post information about labs, observing sessions, etc. on a site that he will announce in the labs.

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

(Updated Mar 3, 2013)

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

Synopsis:

This general interest course is a qualitative course on the concepts and discoveries in astronomy. The topic this year is "Cosmic Sights" and we will use astronomy images as a starting point for exploring astronomical objects and physical phenomena, such as light and gravity. The course provides a qualitative astronomy background ranging from planets and stars to galaxies and cosmology. A few special sessions at Glenlea Observatory and the Lockhart Planetarium introduce the student to scientific method. Although simple arithmetic and trigonometry will be used occasionally, this is a descriptive course.

Primary Materials :

Powerpoint Lecture Notes Website
There is no assigned textbook. The material for this course is covered in the lectures and the powerpoint presentations used in the 2013 lecture will be posted online at this website after class. Please read ahead (preview) using the 2011 presentations but use the updated versions and your own notes for studying.
IClicker - a classroom response system keypad. Available at the bookstore; used for in-class questions and participation marks.
For the laboratory and assignments: See handouts from Mr. Cameron.
Visualization workshop materials will be posted online here. Also see the videos for making images at Dr English's visualization website.

Supplemental Material - Reference Textbook and Link to Resources

(The following provide links to material when viewed in a browser at the class website.)

Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan, the 7th Edition.
Available as a reference textbook in the Science and Technology Library (211 Machray Hall).
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

(The following items provide links to web material, when viewing the class website in a browser.)

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

The final grade consists of the following components:

40% based on 2 term tests (20% each).
30% based on the final examination (2 hours).
15% based on laboratory exercises and assignments.
5% based on "iclicker" participation in class.
5% based on one evening observing assignment at the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory.
5% based on one observing project.

In order to receive a grade for missed or late lab assignments, these must be submitted by the next laboratory session. Contact Mr. Cameron for details.

Test Information

In-class "iclicker" Participation
Questions will be asked in each class, except for dates with tests. Participation grades will commence Jan 14.
Term tests
There will be 2 term tests.
- Duration: 50 minutes each
- Location: in the classroom
- Value: Each test is worth 20%. Together they are 40% of the total mark for the course.
  There will be no deferred term test under any circumstance. A mark for the test could be assessed from the final exam in the following cases:
  - illness, funeral, etc. A doctor's note must provide a reason for missing the test.
  - representing the University of Manitoba at a competition, conference, etc. The coach/supervisor must contact Dr. English and provide a letter beforehand.
- Tentatively Scheduled Dates:
  -- Friday, Feb 1, 2013
  Here is a review of information about the first test.
  -- Friday, Mar 8, 2013
  Review of information for the second test..
- No 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 during the exam period at the end of first term.
  These details are decided by the administration (not the instructors) and posted closer to the date.
- 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 the second term test. Note that material relevant to this section from earlier lectures needs to be reviewed.
- There will be a several images and some math questions. No calculators or textbooks allowed.
- Approximately 70 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.

Tentative Topic Outline:

Constellations, eclipses, and other features of the observable night sky will be covered in the tutorial and lab sections using the Robert J. Lockhart Planetarium and the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory. Mr. Cameron will provide instructions for retrieving information about these sessions. Lab exercises will generally complement the course work, providing information not explored in lectures.

Topic	Includes:
Public Outreach Images	Overview
Distances and Sizes in Astronomy	The Celestial Sphere
Light and other Electromagnetic Radiation	Gamma rays through radio waves
Physical Properties and Motion	E.g. temperature, Doppler Shift
Telescopes and Detectors	Resolution, Brightness Law, Surface Brightness
Gravity	Gravitational lenses, tidal features
Art Techniques in Image-making	Hands-on image-making workshop (in class)
Theoretical Simulations	Images and movies
Solar Systems	Our system, Extra-solar Planets
The Birth and Death of Stars	Proto-stellar disks, Planetary Nebulae, Supernovae
Black Holes	Indirect evidence
Galaxies	Our Milky Way and other galaxies
Cosmology and Things We Cannot See	Dark Matter and Dark Energy

More Detailed Topic Outline at http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/2013winterphys1830/PHYS1830Schedule2013.html

Academic Policies

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).

Want to do more astronomy? Then check out:

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.