Physics & Astronomy 107

Frequently Asked Questions

Math and Grading
Q) What level and kind of math are in the course?
A) I use high school math: algebra and a little trigonometry.  You'll need to be able to work
with exponents and logarithms, too, because astronomy deals with such incredibly small
and large numbers.  I require you to MEMORIZE a few mostly geometrical FORMULAS (see LINKS) but
not very many.  Most of what you need I'll give you on an equation sheet.  You'll need
to know how to use a formula ("plug & chug"), to see how numbers relate. 

Q) How much math counts in my grade?
A) About 1/3 of the questions will have some math in them.  But, a lot of it is easy,
and all the questions are multiple choice.  So, even if you can eliminate a couple of possible choices,
you'll increase your chance of getting credit.  Also, I actually make a maximum score of 115-120%,
by giving 6 questions on a quiz and grading out of 5, or 22 questions on a Big Quiz,
and grading out of 18.  So, on a quiz, if you get the 4 qualitative questions right, then you have 80% --
which is roughly A-level.

Q) Help!  I can't do math!  What do I do?
A) You *can* learn the math you need for this course.  There are many resources to help
you: the tutors, the REACH center, classmates and the instructor.  I know a fair number of
students who surprised themselves by learning how to do problems in only 1-2 extra sessions
with the tutors or me.  I believe in students' abilities.  The skills you learn in this course like
critical thinking, the scientific method and exercising basic math will be useful for other things in life.

Q) Why do you have math in the course, anyway?  This is astronomy!
A) Astronomy is a mathematical science, and some math is essential to understanding
how astronomers use the scientific method.  A little math goes a long way: the ancient
Greeks could work out the size of Earth and made estimates of the distances to the Moon
and Sun with elementary trigonometry.   Astronomy needs math like history needs writing skills --
it's a tool of the trade.

Q) Why do we have so much homework and reading?
A) You can't learn the contents of the course without putting in 2-3 hours of effort outside of
class for every hour inside.  Much or even most of the learning you do goes on outside
of class!  Pretests are practice for homework, which
is practice for the quizzes, which are practice for the midterms and final.
So, you will see similar questions several times from pretests through to tests.
My past students asked that homework be collected every week, because otherwise they
wouldn't do it and wouldn't learn for the quizzes and tests.

Q) Why does the final count so much and why is it cumulative?
A) I think that students ought to have a chance at a decent grade (or even passing) until the
end.  "Never give up!  Never surrender!" (Capt. Taggart from Galaxy Quest).  If the final were not
cumulative and not weighted heavily, then a student could easily be in such a bad situation that
even scoring 100% on the final wouldn't be enough to pass.

Q) What are the quizzes and tests like?
A) All questions are multiple choice, graded by a Scantron or registered by clicker.
About 1/3 require math. Quiz, midterm and final questions are of similar style.
Questions draw heavily from the homework and the questions in the backs of the chapters
covered.  I also make up my own questions.  I will from time to time put in a question
about Astro-news/recent discoveries, so be sure to read the Astro-news!
The rest of the class website has a lot of important information, so read it thoroughly.

Q) Why don't you write study guides?
A) Everything I teach in class is important to the course. Otherwise, I
wouldn't teach it. As the semester progresses, I provide answer keys
to all the homework, quizzes and midterms, plus the PowerPoint files for
all the chapters covered, with summaries of what I think is important
at the end of each chapter. The Learning Assistant and I run at least
one midterm/final review session or question-and-answer session
outside of class. I'm happy to help you during office hours as well.

Other Topics
Q) Class is boring.  Can I get by with just reading the book?
A) You wouldn't get as good a grade.  Besides the participation points which you get
in class, and the quizzes, there is material I will present which is supplementary to the book,
or recent discoveries ("Astro-news").  The planetarium also presents unique opportunities to
learn through immersed visualization. Also, students CONTRIBUTE to the class.
This can be via consulting during clicker questions (though not the mini-quiz ones)
or asking questions. I can't think of all the questions!

Q) How do I register for AceAstronomy?  How about a clicker?
A) If you have a new book, follow the instructions in the front and in the insert.  If you have problems
or have a used book, call the help number (on the class website).  The cost is $33.49 (Jan 2008) if
you have a used book.  Club together with other students to cut the costs if you like.
     For a clicker, go to www.iclicker.com   and click on "register".  There is a help line (phone) if you need it.
Clickers used in previous UL courses which are from iclicker.com should work fine.  Just make sure
you register it with your name and student ID number. **You absolutely need a clicker for this course.**

Q) Can I type my homework?
A) Certainly!  The grader and I would appreciate it.

Q) What do I do if I miss class?
A) You have a life and will miss a class or two.  I will drop the lowest quiz and homework, and
grade clicker points out of about 85% of the total possible,
to allow you to miss 2-3 classes.  (I'll use the clickers on an average of 1-2 times per
class -- sometimes fewer and sometimes more.)  I will accept an excused absence in ADVANCE with
VERIFIABLE documentation (from a doctor, pastor, funeral home, sports coach, band director
etc.).  If you miss a quiz or test due to illness, I need a doctor's note.  It's YOUR responsibility to
come to me if you miss a quiz or test.  If homework is due, it's still due unless
you've been sick for a week and have a doctor's note for it. Have another student turn it in or fax it
(number on my website) or e-mail it (pdf, not Word!) to me.

Q) Do I need to have access to AceAstronomy to do the pretests?
A) Not at all! The pretests are on BlackBoard. If you READ THE CHAPTER in advance and understand it,
you should get a perfect score on the pretest. It just helps to work with the active figures and practice
with the pretest on AceAstronomy.

Q) If I haven't registered my clicker yet, will I ever get credit for past responses?
A) YES! The base station records your clicker ID number. You can register it later.
So, you will get credit -- AFTER you register. But, register as soon as you can. Otherwise,
I won't know to whom to credit your clicker responses. Your clicker grade
is about 1/3 of a grade, and can make the difference between a B+ and A-, or even passing and failing.