Course Syllabus

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INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY LECTURE

ERTH-101, CRN 54427, Spring 2022

 

Course Description:

  • ERTH 101 - INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY (3.0 UNITS):
  • Non-mathematical presentation of our knowledge of the universe. Includes celestial motions, history of astronomy, planets of the solar system, birth and death of stars, and a bit about black holes, quasars, cosmology, and the fourth dimension.
  • TRANSFERABILITY:  CSU; UC TRANSFER LIMIT.
  • SKILLS ADVISORY:  English 103, Math 1.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • ERTH101 SLO 1 - Describe the size and scale of the components of the universe and discriminate between various models of celestial motions. Predict the consequences of these motions. 
  • ERTH101 SLO 2 - Compare and contrast various components of the solar system, how they form, and how they relate to Earth. 
  • ERTH101 SLO 3 - Use the components of the electromagnetic spectrum to investigate stars and stellar evolution. Demonstrate how stars, nebulae, galaxies, and quasars have been used to explore the concepts of relativity and cosmology.

Astronomy Lab (Optional - Enroll Separately):

  • The optional astronomy lab component of this course (ERTH-102) is not required, however is highly recommended (and may be important for transfer).  You would sign up separately for the lab.  The one unit lab is held in the Planetarium and Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (click here for directions).  In lab you will learn by watching and doing.  The planetarium allows us to show celestial motions as they are happening.  The telescopes allow us to look at the sun, moon, planets, and many deep sky objects such as galaxies, planetary nebulas, supernova, and diffuse nebula.  I hope many of you will consider taking advantage of the lab component of this course.  The lab fills quickly.  If you are unable to get into the lab this semester, be sure to register early next semester.  You may take the lab any semester and it will still transfer with this lecture course as a science with a lab.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Astronomy from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-01-8

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Grading (based on point system ~ 1000pts):

  • Lectures (10 pts each = 150 pts for semester)
  • Readings (10 pts each = 150 pts for semester)
  • Online Activities (10 pts each = 150 pts for semester)
  • Crash Course Video Assignments (10 pts each = 150 pts for semester)
  • Test 1 which covers Celestial Motions (100 pts)
  • Test 2 which covers the Solar System (100 pts)
  • Test 3 which covers stars & galaxies (100 pts)
  • Final which is a cumulative review of everything from the beginning (100 pts)

Grading Scale:

  • The grading scale (subject to revision) will follow the traditional percentage breakdown of 90's (A), 80's (B), 70's (C), 60's (D), and below (F).  Scores may be curved slightly to help you, so always strive to do your best.  Plus minus grading has been implemented at SBCC, so borderline grades may receive a +/- designation.  You must complete all assignments to pass the class (don't skip assignments).  Due significant extra credit options, A+ grades in the course do not take into consideration extra credit.

Important Dates:

  • 1/17/22 SBCC Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr Day)
  • 1/18/22 First day of classes at SBCC
  • 1/28/22 Last day to drop classes at SBCC with refund (1/23 without refund)
  • 2/15-16/22 Test 1 (50 Question Mult Choice, 2 hrs, one sitting)
  • 2/18-21/22 SBCC Holiday (President's Day Weekend)
  • 3/18/22 Last day to Drop!
  • 3/21-25 SBCC Holiday (Spring Break)
  • 3/29-30/22 Test 2 (50 Question Mult Choice, 2 hrs, one sitting)
  • 5/3-4/22 Test 3 (50 Question Mult Choice, 2 hrs, one sitting)
  • 5/6/22 Last day to sign up for Pass/NoPass Grading
  • 5/6/22 Last day of classes
  • 5/9-13/22 Finals Week
  • 5/10-11/22 FINAL (50 Question Mult Choice, 2 hrs, one sitting)
  • 5/13/22 Commencement (Congratulations to you all!)

WEEKLY TUTORING SCHEDULE Click here to view schedule
(dates and times may change, so check on-line version before going)
There are student tutors available to help you most every day of the week!  Don't hesitate to contact them to ask for their help.  They are students who have taken this same course themselves and can help you succeed!  Click on the tutor's name during their scheduled tutor session and you will be connected either by Zoom or Google Meet.  Some sessions are in person at SBCC (as designated).  At the end of the semester tutors will be asked if they wish for me to give extra credit to specific student they feel consistently applied themselves and visited them regularly during tutor sessions.

WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS (dates and times may change from week to week):
I will do a weekly Zoom office hour on Thursdays 10-11 am, with additional Zoom office hour sessions upon request.  I am also always available by email and usually respond within a day.

Weekly Zoom Meetings with Alumni/Scientists: 
Meeting ID: 967 4614 2696, Passcode: 892936
https://sbcc.zoom.us/j/96746142696?pwd=VDRmc3lidkcrKzZmblcxVnF0bDRJdz09

ALL TEST DATES:

SBCC Resources to help you:

  1. Academic Counseling Links to an external site.
  2. Learning Resources Links to an external site.
  3. Student Services Links to an external site.
  4. DSPS website Links to an external site.

Get Ahead:  

  • If you consistently keep up with the material you will do well. It is easy to get ahead but difficult to catch up should you fall behind!  Material at the end of the course can be challenging. Do not let this catch you by surprise. For those who keep up, the class can be fun and rewarding!

Do you have to watch ALL the lectures
and do ALL the reading?

  • The objectives of the course are to learn the material and do well on tests and quizzes.  I provide resources that you can use to learn the material and be successful.  Students who do it all are in the best position to do well in the course.  But of course, there are students who do some of it and still do well in the course.  I can't speak for what will work best for you.  My suggestion is to do all of it in the beginning and then you can assess how helpful each resource (lectures, reading, videos, etc) are.  Of course, you will need to do the assignments, quizzes and activities, but there are ways to do those quickly.  For example, you can play videos at higher speed or skip ahead, you can take the crash course quizzes multiple times, etc.  Some students need to see and hear the material multiple times or have it presented to them in different ways (different modes of learning, addressing different learning styles).  So that's why it may seem a bit repetitive, but each time the material is presented in a different way (lecture, vs reading, vs crash course, vs activity, etc), it's another opportunity to pick up something you might have previously missed.  As an adult student in charge of your own life, it is up to you how you "choose" to navigate through the material.  My job is to provide structure and resources to meet your needs and help you succeed.

Honor & Integrity:  

  • I would like to encourage a healthy educational environment of trust and academic responsibility. I will trust you the student to pursue academic success with honor and integrity. I do not anticipate any problems, however, for the record - any indication of cheating (no matter how minor the infraction) will result in an F in the course with your name being turned in to the administration. This can result in a permanent blemish on your transcript as well as expulsion. Do not let this happen to you. There are no second chances!  If it is apparent that you have copied, or falsely represented your work, or you have made the same errors as the solution manual, solution key, or others in your class, you will be removed from the course. The person being copied from will be considered an accomplice and subject to equal penalty.  If a homework or test problem is in question, you may be asked to solve it for your instructor or explain each and every step of your solution. Conduct yourselves with honor and integrity.

Important Notes:

  • All first week assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.
  • Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.

NeilDeGrassTysonSBCCPhoto.jpeg

SBCC Students from this class meeting with world famous Neil deGrasse Tyson (gotta love the tie)!

Course Summary:

Date Details Due