Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1830 Students

Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1830 Students Winter 2015

Perspective on the Universe: Cosmic Sights

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

Contact Information:
email: Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca
Home Page: http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/
Research Office:
Allen Room 514 Phone: 474-7105
Planetarium: Mr. Ian Cameron, 474-9785, Ian.Cameron@umanitoba.ca
Lockhart Planetarium: 394 University College.
Tutorial Hours:
Allen Room 514, Monday at 3:00pm
- Come anytime in this hour and ask the professor questions, get tips, etc.
Astronomy Discussion Group
- Initial meetings: The first tutorial meeting in 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:
(Updated Jan 5, 2015)

Continually check the class and supplemental websites for updates.

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. Special sessions at the Lockhart Planetarium introduce the student to constellations and navigating the night sky. 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 2015 lecture will be posted online at this website after class. Please read ahead (preview) using any presentations that may be posted before class, 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.
  • 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.)
  • Any 1st year astronomy textbook such as Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan, the 8th 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.

    • Grading

    The final grade consists of the following components:
    • 40% based on 2 term tests (20% each).
    • 35% based on the final examination (2 hours).
    • 10% based on "iclicker" quizzes in class on Fridays.
    • 5% based on "iclicker" participation in class.
    • 5% based on planetarium exercise.
    • 5% based on in-class imaging exercise.
    In order to receive a grade for missed planetarium exercise you must contact Mr. Cameron.

    Test Information

    • In-class Quizzes

      When: Every Friday starting Jan 16, except for days with term tests.
      Material covered: The previous Friday and the current Monday and Wednesday.

    • In-class "iclicker" Participation

      Questions will be asked in each class, except for dates with tests. Participation grades will commence Jan 12.

    • Term tests

      There will be 2 term tests.
      • Duration: 50 minutes each
      • Location: in the classroom
      • Information about tests is in the link to the General Test and Examination handout in the link in the CLASS INFORMATION section above.
      • Tentatively Scheduled Dates:
        -- Test 1: Friday, January 30, 2015
        -- Test 2: Friday, March 6, 2015
      • 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 the second term; that is, between April 13 - 27, 2015.
        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 will cover the material that follows the second term test. Note that material relevant to this section from earlier lectures needs to be reviewed. See the link to the General Test and Examination handout in the link in the CLASS INFORMATION section above.
      • There will be a several images and some math questions. 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.

    Tentative Topic Outline:

    Constellations, eclipses, and other features of the observable night sky will be covered in the tutorial provided by Mr. Cameron using the Robert J. Lockhart Planetarium.
    TopicIncludes:
    Public Outreach Images Overview
    Distances and Sizes in AstronomyThe Celestial Sphere
    Light and other Electromagnetic RadiationGamma rays through radio waves
    Physical Properties and MotionE.g. temperature, Doppler Shift
    Telescopes and DetectorsResolution, Brightness Law, Surface Brightness
    GravityGravitational lenses, tidal features
    Art Techniques in Image-makingHands-on image-making workshop (in class)
    Theoretical SimulationsImages and movies
    Solar SystemsOur system, Extra-solar Planets
    The Birth and Death of StarsProto-stellar disks, Planetary Nebulae, Supernovae
    Black HolesIndirect evidence
    GalaxiesOur Milky Way and other galaxies
    Cosmology and Things We Cannot SeeDark Matter and Dark Energy

    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/student_discipline.html

    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: