Schedule for GEO 154 - Astronomy
Fall 2007


The schedule below is subject to change. You should check this page periodically for updates. The exam dates will not change, but the content for the exams may.

NOTE: Assignments assume 5th Edition of "Astronomy Today" - If modifications are needed for students using the 6th edition they will be noted after the 5th edition assignment.

Last modified: Mon Nov 05 08:52:56 Eastern Standard Time 2007

Date Required Reading *
(D=Discovery, MP=More precisely)
(Chaisson & McMillan)
Homework
(RD=Review & Discussion, P=Problem)
Suggested Reading
(Moche**)
Lecture:
27-Aug - - - Introduction;
Nature of Science;
The Sky We See;
Celestial Cycles
3-Sep - Web Assignment #1 - Holiday
10-Sep Ch1:  all
Appendices A-1, A-2
Ch. 1:
    RD 1, 2, 4-6, 8-10, 13, 14;
    P 2
Introduction,
Ch. 1
Size of the universe;
Scientific Notation;
Astrology and Astronomy;
Science and Pseudoscience
17-Sep Ch. 2:  all Ch. 2:
    RD 2, 4, 5, 7-10, 13, 14, 16, 18
Introduction,
Ch. 1
Classical Astronomy;
Historical Development;
Basic Physics
24-Sep Ch. 3:  all
Ch. 4: 4.1, 4.4
6th Ed: substitute 4.5 for 4.4
Ch. 3:
    RD 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11-15, 17
Ch.4:
    RD  1, 3-5, 12-14, 20
Ch. 2 Newton;
Radiation;
Spectroscopy
1-Oct Ch. 5:  all Ch. 5:
    RD 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19
**Turn in by e-mail**
Ch. 2 Class Cancelled -
Turn in Ch 5 HW by e-mail.
8-Oct Ch. 6: all
Ch. 15: 15.1, 15.4, 15.5

6th Ed:
  Ch. 6: all
  Ch. 15: 15.1, 15.2, 15.5, 15.6
Ch. 6:
    RD 1, 2, 4-10, 12, 14, 17-20
Ch. 15:
    RD 1, 2, 15, 17
Ch. 8-11 Guest Lecture: Where is Everything? Modern Cosmology's Biggest Challenge;
Telescopes
15-Oct Ch. 6: all
Ch. 15: 15.1, 15.4, 15.5

6th Ed:
  Ch. 6: all
  Ch. 15: 15.1, 15.2, 15.5, 15.6
- Ch. 3, 4 Exam #1: Ch. 1-5;
Solar System Overview
Comparative Planetology
Solar System Formation
22-Oct - - - Holiday
29-Oct Ch. 16, 17 Ch. 16:
    RD 1-3, 5, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20
Ch. 17:
    RD 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 11-13, 15, 18, 19
Ch. 3, 4 Solar System II
5-Nov Ch. 19, 20 Ch. 19:
    RD 1, 5-13, 15
Ch. 20:
    RD 1-5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
Ch. 5 The Sun
Stars
12-Nov Ch. 21: 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.5 Ch. 21:
    RD 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15
Ch. 5 Exam #2 - Ch. 6, 15-17
Stellar Birth
19-Nov Ch. 22: 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.5, 22.6, 22.8;
Ch. 23: all
Ch. 22:
    RD 1, 3, 7, 10, 11-13, 15, 17, 18 Ch. 23:
    RD 1-6, 9, 11, 14-16, 20
Ch. 6 Stellar Evolution
Stellar Death
Stellar Corpses
26-Nov Ch. 24: 24.1, 24.3, 24.4, 24.5;
Ch. 25: 25.1, 25.3, 25.4;
Ch. 26: all
Ch. 24:
    RD 1-3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19
Ch. 25:
    RD 2, 3, 11, 12, 15
Ch. 26:
    RD 2-7, 9, 10, 14, 15-18
Ch. 7 Galaxies
Dark Matter
Cosmology
3-Dec Ch. 27: 27.4;
Ch. 28: all
Ch. 27:
    RD 12-15
Ch. 28:
    RD 1-3, 5-7, 9-13, 15-17, 19
Ch. 12 Cosmology
Life in the Universe
Review
10-Dec - - - Final Exam: Cumulative

* NOTE:  If a reading assignment includes only certain sections of some chapters, it should be understood that the introduction and summary sections of that chapter are expected to be read, even though not explicitly listed on the assignment.  You are encouraged to read the entire chapter, and will probably find it easier to follow if you do so, but you should concentrate on learning the material in the specified sections.


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Return to Course Syllabus.


Dr. Scott C. Smith