ASTRONOMY LIFE
IN THE UNIVERSE
15-PHYS-122
WINTER QUARTER 2008
Revised Jan 11,
2008
Instructor: Dr. Michael L. Sitko
Office: 446 Geology-Physics
Office Hours: MW @ 11-12 or by appointment
Phone: 556-0642
Email: 
Course Web Page: http://www.physics.uc.edu/~sitko/Winter08/winter08.htm
Textbook: The
Search for Life in the Universe (3rd ed.) Goldsmith
& Owen
Other Materials: Calculator - calculator that can do more than + - * / . These can be found at many places for $15-$20. Learn how to use it.
Special Dates
Monday Jan. 10th HOLIDAY
(no class)
LAST DAY TO DROP COURSE MARCH
4
FRIDAY MARCH 22 - FINAL EXAM 08:00-10:00
Goals of This Lecture Course
The goals of this course are to understand the overall
evolution of the universe, from the Big Bang to the present time, and to
examine our place within the universe, and the possibilities of other life
forms in it, how we investigate this, etc.
Grades: Your quarter grade will consist of the numerical sum
of your Exam, Homework, and in-class activity scores. The combined scores of
your Mid-Term Exams and the Final Exams will count for 90% of your grade, and I
will throw out the lowest exam score. The combined homework and in-class activities
will count for a total of 10% of your grade. Grade cutoffs are as follows: 80%+
A; 65-79% B; 55-64% C; 45-55% D; <45% F.
Films: Films may be shown during the course. Students are responsible for the material covered on the films.
Text Reading: Any material in the textbook may appear on exams. NOTE: On the average, for any 3-credit class, students are expected to spend up to 6 hours/week reading the book, studying their notes, etc. Because each section of material builds on earlier material, it is virtually impossible to "cram" for the exams. Don't even try to pass this course by cramming - you will be wasting your time!
Class Notes: Class notes and other related class materials are available at my personal web site for this class (http://www.physics.uc.edu/~sitko/ ), and a direct link to the notes is: http://www.physics.uc.edu/~sitko/Winter08/winter08.htm.
Exams: Always bring Number 2 pencils with decent erasers tour and
student ID card to class on exam days. You must clear your desks of all notes,
books, backpacks etc., during the exam. You may leave the exam area quietly when you are finished. These exams will be mostly (or even
entirely) multiple choice, 30 questions each. But some rules apply to reduce
the chance of a security breach:
Once the first person has finished
the exam and left the room, no one will be allowed to arrive late & take
the exam. The instant the first person has left, knowledge of the exam
questions travels outside the exam room as well. This often occurs 15-20
minutes after the start of the exam! There are no exceptions to this rule.
Under no circumstances are any
class notes allowed to be out during the exam, even if they are under your desk
on the floor. They will be confiscated and the student will be officially
charged with cheating. I have had to do this before. Do not try it. It is not
fair to others and it is a stupid risk to take!
No cell phones are to be out. Many
have cameras. This should be obvious.
No bathroom breaks – notes can be consulted outside the exam area. Take care of your business before coming into the exam room. Most people are done in 40 min or less. Plan accordingly.
Approximate Schedule for Lectures and Textbook Chapters
This schedule is subject to changes and updates that will be announced in class.
|
Approximate Schedule |
||
|
M |
W |
F |
|
7 January Introduction G&O |
9 No Class |
11 Light G&O-2 |
|
14 Scale of the Universe |
16 History of the Universe |
18 Star Birth G&O-3 |
|
21 HOLIDAY |
23 Star Birth & Death G&O-4 |
25 Star Death & Review |
|
28 Exam 1 |
30 Life – I G&O-7 |
1 February Life – II G&O-8 |
|
4 Life – III G&O-9 |
6 Life - IV G&O-10 |
8 Solar System Formation G&O-11 |
|
11 Solar System Formation |
13 Impacts & Extinctions & Review |
15 Exam 2 |
|
18 Venus G&O-12 |
20 Mars - I G&O-13 |
22 Mars - II G&O-14 |
|
25 Jovian Planets & Moons G&O-15 |
27 Habitable Zones G&O-16 |
29 Exoplanets & Review G&O-17 |
|
3
March Exam 3 Last Day to Withdraw-4th |
5 The Drake Equation G&O-18 |
7 Interstellar Travel G&O-19 |
|
10 SETI G&O-20 |
12 The Fringe G&O-21 |
14 Fermi-Hart & Review G&O-22 |
|
17 |
19 |
21 FINAL EXAM 08:00-10:00 |