Astronomy
The Mother of All Science
Spring, 2009

Professor: John Patrick Lestrade
Venue:
Course: Physics 1063, Section 01.
Book: :
 

Welcome to Astronomy for the Spring Semester!
This term you are in for many surprises. The first is that this class is not simply about memorizing star names and oohing and aahing at pretty pictures. Sure, we will do some of that, but there's more. The study of astronomy touches on several areas of human knowledge and interest, from the science of how the Sun provides us with light, to the question of life on Mars, to the politics of government intervention in science. The most important thing you will learn, however, is an appreciation for the vastness of our universe and a sense of wonder for what we have discovered about it.

How to succeed.
The authors of your book have gone to great lengths to make the text highly readable. My first request is that you do read it. That simple act, plus studying the questions and discussing them with your fellow students, practically guarantees you a good grade. Reading the assignment before each class is better than reading it after, and certainly is better than waiting until just before the exam (duh!).

Grading:
Your grade will be determined from the weighted average of 6 exams (12% each) plus a comprehensive final (28%). The first exam is tentatively set for January XX 2009. There are no make-ups. If you have to miss an exam, email me (Astro[at]lestrade.com) or call my secretary (662-325-2806) before or during the missed exam.
If I agree that your case is special, I will substitute your final exam grade for the missed exam. A picture ID (MSU or Driver's License) is required to take all exams.

Office Hours:
Some concepts are understandably difficult to grasp. Raise your hand in class when you don't understand the lecture material. Don't be embarassed. There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. We are all ignorant. You are stupid if you don't do something about it. For help outside class, I will be in my office between 2:00 and 3:00 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Posting Grades:
I post grades after every exam on this web site. If you want your grade to appear, fill in a 6-digit secret code on the exam answer sheet. Make it something easy to remember. Your grades will appear under that code.

Absenteeism:
Class attendance is not optional. To strengthen your resolve, I will give bonus points (pop quizzes?) to those who attend regularly and keep up with the reading. More than 2 absences will cause the bonus points to decrease precipitously. It doesn't matter why you are absent, so do not give me excuses. This is worth repeating: do not give me excuses for missed lectures.

Miscellany:
If you are more than 15 minutes late for an exam, you may not be allowed to take it.

Exams are not given at any time other than that on the schedule, no matter what the reason. Don't ask

Please remove all hats/caps with brims during exams.

If you are auditing you must attend 80% of the classes -- including exam dates.

I often email the class as a whole through the MSU Banner address list. Be email-aware. Specifically, check your email regularly when you are in my class. Furthermore, make sure that your MSU email is properly forwarded to the inbox you most often check.

When emailing me about the course, you must send from your official MSU email account. I cannot correspond with, e.g., "PoopyScooper@hotmail.com".

Apparently, some of you have mommas who did not teach you that cheating is wrong. The university has adopted a new honor code. Check it out here.

Do not ask if there is the chance to earn "extra credit". Discover a new asteroid and we'll talk. Otherwise, your grade depends on the criteria mentioned above.

For those majors requiring lab credit, PH1021 is a lab class that can be used in conjunction with this lecture. Check with your advisor.

There are several weird things that await you; so join me in the study of black holes, the big bang, and extraterrestrial life !

J. P. Lestrade

Contact info: (1) EMail (2) Phone: 325-2806, (3) Office: Hilbun 215

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