HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS (14) [30 % of Course Grade]

• Homework will be assigned from Mastering Astronomy via Blackboard. Questions regarding homework problems can be asked during the scheduled office hours or using the Discussion Forum.
• Typically, you will be allowed at least 3 attempts per assignment.
• Late homework will have penalty points deducted – 10% penalty for each day the homework is late.

ACC Assessment Assignment  [if given, will be bundled in with homework]

ACC sometimes requires an assessment of the General Competencies for astronomy courses to be assigned during the semester. This exercise, if required,  will be given sometime during the semester.

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TESTS (4)  [60 % of Course Grade]

To evaluate student progress in the course, there will be FOUR (4) tests given via Blackboard.

Tests may have different types of questions - multiple-choice, Fill in the Blank, short answer questions and other types.

Test will have two parts: PART I will have only multiple-choice questions, PART II will contain Fill in the Blank, Short Answer/Essay type questions.

All PART II (open-ended questions – Fill in the Blank, Short Answer/essay type – questions) will be graded manually for every test [regardless of the fact that the system first corrects it automatically - there is no way to turn off this auto-correction feature].

The tests will not be comprehensive, but some concepts recur throughout the semester. Partial credit will always be given on tests if you make a reasonable attempt to answer the questions.

You may be tested on any material covered in the videos, the online homework assignments, PowerPoint lectures and the textbook. 

You will be typically given a week’s time to complete any test but the tests are timed and so you must take any given test in one sitting within the time allotted for it.

YOU MUST TAKE THE TESTS DURING THE SCHEDULED TIME PERIOD UNLESS YOU HAVE A DOCUMENTED EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE.

This class may require students to take proctored exams. Exams/Tests may be proctored by video/audio.

An Honesty statement may be required to be signed and abided by during tests.

I have used only my equation sheet, calculator and pens/pencils on this exam; and I have not received help from any other source (either print or digital) or any other person other than my professor.

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There is no final exam in the course.

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Please Note:

• You can take the tests anytime during the intervals mentioned in the Tentative Schedule, but once you start any test you have to complete it in one sitting, you cannot save it and get back to it later.
• Please be aware that you have to complete all the FOUR [4] tests in order to pass the course. 

         You have a week for completing each test, so even if you have an emergency on a particular day you should be able to complete any      test before its due date.

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Discussion Forum (4) [10% of course grade]

• Interacting with your classmates can help you succeed better in the class. With this in view, THREE [3] Discussion Forums that are mandatory have been placed in the course.
• Each Unit (except UNIT 3) will have a Discussion Forum in which you have to participate.
• You have to post at least ONE [1] post on each forum. There is one forum per UNIT

• Note: You don’t have to make a post every week. One submission per UNIT is enough.
• Please refer to the posted Tentative Schedule to get the exact deadlines.
• The guidelines in the Discussion Forums will explain what is expected in the posts.
• The rubric on how you will be graded is shown below:

• 	Levels of Achievement
  Criteria	Very Good	Good	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
  Primary Post	3 Points All criteria in the guidelines document are satisfied. Goes beyond minimum requirements in the guidelines.	2 Points All minimum requirements in the guidelines are satisfied but nothing extraordinary.	1 Point All but one criterion are satisfied.	0 Points Post fails to meet more than one criterion in the guidelines.
  Response to Classmates	2 Points Replies to two classmates with thoughtful questions [not statements] that show understanding of the material posted by them, and evince critical thinking.		1 Point Replies lack depth OR only responds to 1 classmate	0 Points No replies

• Please be aware that you have to complete all the THREE [3] Discussion posts in order to pass the course. 

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Late homework will have penalty points deducted for each day the homework is late.

Late test will NOT be allowed except in the case of medical or family emergencies.

There will rarely be make-up exams. Contact me before the exam (by email or in person) if there is an unavoidable emergency. I will give make-up tests for cases of medical emergencies and in cases of severe family emergencies only. You must provide a note from your doctor or the hospital. Please make sure that you contact me before the test. FAILURE TO DO THIS MAY MEAN A “ZERO” GRADE FOR THAT EXAM.

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Extra Credit Policy

Extra credit opportunities may become available during the semester. These will be announced via Blackboard when they become available.

Please Note: Extra credit will be allowed only if you complete all the required assignments without fail.

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Course Grade Breakdown

This is how your course grade will be determined:

UNIT 1: Fundamentals of Astronomy

              CH. 1 - 4

UNIT 2: Terrestrial Planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars

              CH. 7-10

UNIT 3: Jovian Planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

             CH. 11 - 13

UNIT 4: Comets, Asteroids, Dwarf Planets; Exoplanets; Formation of the Solar System

             CH. 14, 15, CH. 6

UNIT 1: CH. 1 - 4: Fundamentals of Astronomy

      Earth-based astronomy, Light and Spectra

UNIT 2: CH. 7-10: Terrestrial Planets

       Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

UNIT 3: CH. 11 - 13: Jovian Planets

       Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

UNIT 4: CH. 14, 15, CH. 6: Solar System Debris; Formation of Solar System       

       Minor solar system objects - Comets, asteroids, meteoroids, dwarf planets; 

       Solar Nebula Theory

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and the Scientific Method.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic laws of physics that pertain to the study of the bodies of the solar system.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of the terrestrial planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of the jovian planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
• Demonstrate understanding of the differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets, and of how those differences came to be.
• Demonstrate understanding of the properties of the smaller bodies of the solar system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current best scientific explanation of the origin and evolution of the solar system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of recent discoveries about extrasolar planetary systems