Course Syllabus
APAS 1010
Introductory Astronomy
Instructor: Kim Malville
Gamow Tower 913
492-8766
office hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 4-5
email Kim.Malville@colorado.edu
Lecture TA: Aaron Evans
Duane 122
office hours: Monday & Thursday 12-1
email
aaron.evans@colorado.edu
Required Books:
Snow: The Dynamic Universe
Malville and Putnam: Prehistoric Astronomy of
the Southwest
Opportunities for Extra Credit:
- Optional Field Trip during spring break to Chaco Canyon,
Mesa Verde, Chimney Rock. We will provide a CU van for transportation
and you will take care of your own food. The goal will be to visit some
of the most interesting ruins in the southwest and to explore some of
their astronomical secrets!
- Paper on book: Chaos and the Solar System
- Project using the web, probably on Comet Hale-Bopp
Course content: Lectures MWF, plus one two-hour lab section per
week, for 4 credits total (you must enroll in a lab). There will
be occasional homework assignments given in lecture, plus two in-class
hour tests and a final exam. Labs consist of weekly experiments with
written reports, and will include some observational exercises at the
telescope.
Grading:
| Exam #1 | 30 |
| Exam #2 | 30 |
| Final | 30 |
| Problems | 10 |
| Extra Credit: | 0-20 |
- All exams including the final will be open note but closed book.
- Grades will be curved.
- Lecture: 3/4 of total grade
Labs: 1/4 of total grade
- Note: a passing grade in the labs is necessary to pass the class,
i.e. you must plan to attend.
- Complete 10-12 of the assigned labs; obtain details from your lab TA.
APAS 1010 home page