Descriptive Astronomy: Stars & the Universe
PHYS 1062.001 Fall 2013
This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change in writing as needed. Rev. 01/14/12
Instructor: Dr. R. L. Zrnic
Office: PHYS 114
Phone: 940 891 6859
E-mail:
Office Hours: TR 11:00 am - noon
or by appointment
Lecture: MWF 10:00 pm – 10:50 pm
Location: ENV-110
Class Notes: http://learn.unt.edu
"PHYS 1062 Stars & the Universe – Section 001 (Fall 2013)"
Homework: http://www.webassign.net
This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change in writing as needed. Rev. 01/14/12
Course Content: This introductory astronomy course offered by the UNT Physics Department provides a brief history of astronomy, gives an overview of the techniques and principles important in astronomy, and examines the life cycle of stars and galaxies in the known universe. The course may be used to satisfy the laboratory science requirement for the College of Arts and Sciences or the core laboratory science requirement of the University
Course Expectations: You are expected to have thoroughly read the chapter in your text before coming to class. The reading assignment is listed in the schedule of the course that follows, and you will be held responsible for the information contained therein. You are expected to have thoroughly read the chapter in your text and complete the corresponding assignments in WebAssign prior to attending class.
Required Materials: Text, WebAssign access, Laboratory Manual
Text: The required text may be purchased in any one of three styles: loose leaf, e-book, or hard back.
The e-book and hard back styles contain the chapters for both PHYS 1052 and PHYS 1062.
The loose leaf version contains only the chapters covered in PHYS 1062.
Loose leaf: Stars and Galaxies, 7th Edition, by Michael A. Seeds
(Brooks/Cole-Cengage Learning, 2010)
Book only: ISBN: 978-0-538-73317-5
Book bundled w/ on-line homework access: ISBN: 1111418586
E-book: Foundations of Astronomy, 12th Edition, by Michael A. Seeds & DanaBackman
(Brooks/Cole-CENGAGE Learning, 2013)
E-book bundled w/ on-line homework access: ISBN: 978-0-538-73810-1
Hard back: Foundations of Astronomy, 12th Edition, by Michael A. Seeds & DanaBackman
(Brooks/Cole-CENGAGE Learning, 2013)
Book only: ISBN: 978-1-133-10376-9
Book bundled w/ on-line homework access: ISBN: 978-1-285-04248-0
WebAssign Access: Homework assignments are posted and must be completed on the WebAssign website. Access to the website may be purchased bundled with the e-book or loose leaf version of the text in local bookstores or from the publisher’s website, http://www.cengagebrain.com, or directly from http://www.WebAssign.net.
Access only: ISBN: 978-0-538-73810-1
Laboratory Manual: The required lab manual PHYS 1062 Astronomy Laboratory Manual is available only in
local bookstores and must be purchased prior to attending the first lab meeting. If manuals are not available, you should place a special order as soon as possible and keep the receipt. If the ordered manual is not in stock by the time of your lab, contact for options.
Laboratory: The laboratory component of the course is described in a separate syllabus, PHYSICS 1062 – STARS & THE UNIVERSE LABORATORY – Fall 2013, distributed in lecture on the first day of class. Labs begin on 1/27/2012, and are scheduled through Blackboard (https://ecampus.unt.edu/webct/entryPage.dowebct), via the “PHYS 1062 Laboratory” class link, “Lab Scheduler” icon. The overall point total you receive for lab work will count twenty-five percent (25%) of your course grade.
Reading: You are expected to have thoroughly read the chapter in your text prior to attending class.
The reading/homework assignments are listed in the schedule of the course that follows, and you will be held responsible for the information contained therein.
Attendance Lectures are designed to supplement and complement the material in the textbook.
Missing lecture will likely have a direct negative effect on your ability to do well on quizzes, exams and homework assignments. Although the course notes will be posted in Blackboard, class demonstrations, supplemental lecture material (including videos), and daily quizzes will only be available during class.
Homework: Sixteen assignments (one introductory math review and one for each chapter covered in the course) will be posted on the WebAssign website. WebAssign access will be available beginning Friday 8/30/2013 and will be free for 14 days. Beginning Friday 9/13/2013, you must have purchased an access code to complete homework assignments. Each assignment will consist of multiple choice questions to be answered online and submitted for grading. Multiple attempts per assignment will be allowed with the highest score of the attempts recorded. The homework should assist you in studying for exams and help you assess your understanding of the concepts. The best twelve (12) homework assignment scores (out of 16 possible) will be used to calculate your homework points for ten percent (10%) of your course grade.
No extensions/makeup will be given for missed homework assignments.
Projects: Several short projects will be assigned throughout the semester to enhance your understanding of key concepts or scientific methods. Details, including due dates, will be posted on the course Blackboard website and Web assign, as projects are assigned. Project scores will be used to calculate your project points for five percent (5%) of your course grade.
No extensions/makeup will be given for missed project assignments.
Exams: As listed in the course schedule that follows, three (3) exams will be given: two (2) exams during the regularly scheduled class meetings and a required final exam as scheduled in the official UNT Final Exam Schedule.
Exam questions will be taken from class notes, homework, in-class quizzes, and the textbook. Exams questions will consist primarily of multiple-choice questions. Some questions may require short calculations. Cell phones may NOT be used as a calculator during exams.
Current picture ID required on exam days. Scantrons are provided by the instructor.
Makeup Exams:
For documented, University excused absences, contact the instructor (e-mail, phone, or personal conversation), as soon as possible, preferably prior to the exam.
Course Extra Credit: Up to two (2) points of extra credit may be earned to be added to final course point total by attending different public shows at the UNT Sky Theater and submitting a typed summary
Public shows cost $3.00 w/ Student ID and are usually held on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The exact times/dates are listed in the course calendar below or may be obtained from the website: http://skytheater.unt.edu
To receive extra credit (up to 2 points),
(1) your name & EUID must appear on public show attendance log, and
(2) a 300-word, typed summary of the program must be submitted to the course instructor prior to
the due date listed in the course schedule. Papers must be printed and submitted on paper.
If you are unable to attend Saturday shows, please contact instructor for an alternative assignment.
Extra-credit paper #2 must be turned in by 10 am Dec 2, 2013.
NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED.
Grading: Laboratory 25 points Final point total = Point total + Extra Credit Homework 10
Projects 5
Exam 1 20 Final point total Course Grade
Exam 2 20 90 and above A
Final Exam 20 80 to 89.9 B
Total 100 points 70 to 79.9 C
Extra credit < 2 points 60 to 69.9 D
below 60 F
Disabilities Accommodation:
The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see the instructor and/or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at 940-565-4323 during the first week of class.
Additional Policies and Procedures
Tardiness: If you arrive late, please enter quietly and sit down. Do not walk in front of speakers or disrupt the class in any other way.
On cell phones and laptops: Cell phones must be off at all times during class meetings. Inappropriate use (i.e. checking e-mail, checking social networks, researching for something unrelated to the class, etc.) on a laptop or smart phone, I-pad, etc, will not be tolerated; you will be asked to put it away and your participation grade will be affected.
Extra Help: PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
If you are having trouble with this class, come by my office during office hours or make an appointment.
Academic Dishonesty: UNT’s policy on academic dishonesty can be found at:
http://www.vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm
Dropping a Course: Drop information is available in the schedule of classes at:
http://essc.unt.edu/registrar/schedule/scheduleclass.html
Course Evaluations: Student Evaluation of Teacher Effectiveness (SETE) will be conducted on-line at this address:
https://sete.unt.edu/
The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester and will remain open through the week of finals, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class.
Physics 1062.001 Fall 2013
Date Lecture Preparation
Week 1 / W / Aug 28 / Distribution of Course Syllabi & Introduction to WebAssignF / Aug 30 / Ch. 1: Scale of the Cosmos
F / Aug 30 / Ch. 2: The Sky – Constellations, Coordinate Systems, Celestial Sphere Access to homework opened on WebAssign.net
Week 2 / M / Sep 2 / NO CLASS – Labor Day
W / Sep 4 / Ch. 2: The Sky - Motions of the Sun, Planets, Stars, & Moon
F / Sep 6 / Ch. 2: The Sky – Seasons, Effects on Climate
Ch. 3: Cycles of the Moon - Lunar Phases, Eclipses
Week 3 / M / Sep 9 / Ch. 6: Light & Telescopes – Wave Properties, EM Spectrum
W / Sep 11 / Ch. 6: Light & Telescopes – EM Spectrum, Collecting Light
F / Sep 13 / Ch. 7: Atomic Structure & Light – Creating Light
Last free access to WebAssign.net
Week 4 / M / Sep 16 / Ch. 7: Atomic Structure & Light – Information from Light
W / Sep 18 / Ch. 4: The Origin of Modern Astronomy – Historical Development, Scientific Method, Kepler’s Laws
F / Sep 20 / Online Activity and Quiz
Week 5 / M / Sep 23 / Ch. 5: Galileo, Newton, & Gravity – Understanding Motion
W / Sep 25 / Ch. 5: Galileo, Newton, & Gravity – Newton’s Laws of Motion
F / Sep 27 / Ch. 5: Galileo, Newton, & Gravity – Newton’s Law of Gravity
Week 6 / M / Sep 30 / Ch. 8: The Sun – Energy Generation & Transfer
W / Oct 2 / Exam 1: Chapters 1-7
F / Oct 4 / Ch. 8: The Sun – Observations & Surface Activity
Week 7 / M / Oct 7 / Ch. 8: The Sun – Model for other Stars
W / Oct 9 / Ch. 9: Measuring Stars – Measurable Properties
F / Oct 11 / Online Activity and Quiz
Week 8 / M 7, Tues. / Oct 14 / Ch. 9: Measuring Stars – More Properties
W / Oct 16 / Ch. 9: Measuring Stars – Families of Stars
F / Oct 18 / Ch. 10: Interstellar Medium - Composition
Physics 1062.001 Fall 2013
Date Lecture Preparation
Week 9 / M / Oct 21 / Ch. 10: Interstellar Medium - DistributionW / Oct 23 / Ch. 11: Star Formation – Structure, Observations
F / Oct 25 / Ch. 11: Star Formation – Structure
Week 10 / M / Oct 28 / Ch. 11: Star Formation – Observations
W / Oct 30 / Ch. 12: Stellar Evolution
F / Nov 1 / Exam 2: Chapters 8-11
Week 11 / M / Nov 4 / Ch. 12: Stellar Evolution – H-R Diagram
W / Nov 6 / Ch. 12: Stellar Evolution – Star Clusters & Variable Stars
F / Nov 8 / Ch. 13: Stellar Death
Week 12 / M / Nov 11 / Ch. 13: Binary Evolution
W / Nov 13 / Ch. 14: Neutron Stars & Black Holes
F / Nov 15 / Online Activity and Quiz
Week 13 / M / Nov 18 / Ch. 15: The Milky Way Galaxy - Structure
W / Nov 20 / Ch. 15: The Milky Way Galaxy – Dark Matter
F / Nov 22 / Ch. 16: Galaxies - Observations
Week 14 / M / Nov 25 / Ch. 16: Galaxies – Classification & Evolution
W / Nov 27 / Ch. 17: Active Galaxies
F / Nov 29 / NO CLASS
Week 15 / M / Dec 2 / Last date to turn in Extra Credit
Ch. 18: Cosmology
W / Dec 4 / Review
F / Dec 6 / NO CLASS: Reading Day
Finals Week / F / Dec 13 / Final Examination
Friday, December 13
8:00 am – 10:00 pm
ENV-110
This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change in writing as needed. Rev. 01/14/12