Text: Astronomy Lecture notes
Dr. John Truedson, Sattgast 322:
Phone: 755-2796
Email: jtruedson@bemidjistate.edu
The course: The course will be conducted with the interactive software program D2L through the Center for External Learning at BSU. You are encouraged to utilize the Student Orientation course to familiarize your self with D2l. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions concerning the course or D2L.
The text for this course will be the lecture notes and text included on the CD sent to you. The text consists of 18 chapters. Although the text is not required for completing the course you will most likely find it to be very useful.
Course Lectures: There is no required text for the class. I have developed a series for lectures for the course. The course lectures can be accessed via the D2L link for each chapter. You should be able to complete the quizzes and web assignments using only the class lectures. There is an optional text for those who would prefer to have a book. Please feel free to contact the instructor if you have any questions.
Astronomy Chapter Quizzes: There will be a multiple-choice quiz for each of the 18 chapters consisting of 13 - 15 multiple-choice questions. You will be allowed to take each multiple-choice test twice (2) with the highest score being recorded. The quizzes will be taken on-line using the D2L software.
Astronomy Web Assignments: These assignments will incorporate the many Astronomy Web sites available around the world. There will be an assignment for each of the 18 chapters utilizing the web links identified for each chapter. You will submit web assignments using the quiz feature on D2L in order to make it easier for you to answer the questions and for me to grade them. However, I want to stress that these assignments are not really quizzes and can be retaken several times if necessary. If you have any questions or problems contact me and I reset it.
Current topics Discussions: There will be a link for discussions on current topics in Astronomy . I will post 5 topics on the Space Science in the News forum near the beginning of the semester to which you can respond to and make comments. You will be required to participate at least once in all 5 posted discussions. The comments can be as short as a few sentences or as long as you wish. I encourage discussion among the students enrolled in the class. Postings for dicussions will close on May 1, 2008.
Night Sky Observation discussions: This section will require you to observe discuss certain celestial objects. You need to post 3 addional submissions to the ones listed above on the Planets and the Night sky discussion forum. Postings for dicussions will close on May 1, 2008.
Grades: The course must be completed and submitted to the instructor by May 23, 2008. Grades will be determined on the following distribution based on the assignments completed by the above date:
18 Multiple choice quizzes |
50% |
18 Astronomy Internet Assignments |
30% |
5 Discussions participation |
15% |
3 Night Sky discussion submissions |
5% |
| Total | 100% |
Grades: Based on total points earned during the semester out of the possible 100% for the quizzes, internet assignments, and discussions.
A: 85 - 100 %
B: 72 - 84%
C: 60 - 72%
D: 50 - 60%
Feel free to contact Dr. Truedson if you have any questions during the semester