AST 105 – Classical and Modern Astronomy

This is a Web-based course taught by Dr. N. L. Markworth.

Instructor Contact Information 

SFA Purple Seal

Dr. Norman L. Markworth, Ph.D.
email: nmarkworth@sfasu.edu
(936) 468-3001

http://www.physics.sfasu.edu/markworth/Markworth.htm

Course Description
This is a survey course that will stress the historical and descriptive aspects of our knowledge of astronomy. The major aim will be to give each student an appreciation and understanding of the scope and content of our universe. The methods of science will be strongly emphasized.

Textbook Requirements
The text is The Essential Cosmic Perspective, third edition by Jeffrey Bennett, Megan Donahue, Nicholas Schneider, and Mark Voit. Network resources for this text can be found at this hyperlink.  A new edition of the online lab manual is available in the bookstore. If you are enrolled in the online lab, please purchase the Online Lab Manual, since it contains the lecture CDs, lab prep video tape, and lab supplements.

Course Prerequisites
AST 105L, the Astronomy Laboratory is a co-requisite.

Course Format and Participation Requirements 
The format for this course includes scheduled assignments and labs, offline reading from the 
textbook, online readings and video lectures, as well as participation using web pages, email, 
discussion boards, and chat. The course includes scheduled online exams, which can be taken 
either on campus in the LINC or remotely with a prearranged proctor.  Exams are scheduled at 
intervals throughout the semester.  The course is not self-paced.  To be successful in this course, 
the typical student should plan to spend at least 12-15 hours per week working on this course.

On-campus or Face-to-Face Meeting Requirements
The lab calls for one visit to the SFASU Observatory.  For those students at an inconvenient distance from the Observatory, alternate home assignments can be made by arrangement.

Course Assessment
There will be four major tests each covering a limited amount of material. The fourth exam will contain a special section devoted to questions pertaining to the lab. Twenty-five (25%) percent of the lab portion of the course comes from this quiz.

No grade curving is done on any grade in this course. The lecture and lab grades will be combined and the same grade will be recorded for both lecture and lab. All exams are weighted equally, and the lecture portion of the course accounts for 75% of the total grade

Effort Expected
This is a 3-credit-hour course plus a 1-credit-hour lab. You should expect to work 2 to 3 hours per week for each credit hour.  To be successful in this course you should expect to spend about 12-15 hours a week on readings, assignments, discussions, and other activities.

Technical Requirements for the Course
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need a CD-ROM drive, PowerPoint software, Real Player software. Consult the tools link at here for specific download information.

Before the Course Begins

  • Complete the Getting Started area of sfaonline.

  • Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course.

  • As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor.

  • Carefully read and complete all steps of Getting a myCourses Username and PIN.

    • F-1 Visa Holders
    There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
    http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html

    RESOURCE LINKS:
     
    Prepare for an online course:

    Getting Started
    Order your textbooks online:

    Textbooks
    Log on to your course:

    myCourses Logon
    SFA has a mandatory email policy:

    Enable your SFA email account