Download Astronomy Syllabus - Jefferson Forest High School

Earth Science II/ Astronomy Syllabus
Instructor:
Mrs. Theresa S. Price
Primary Textbook:
Chaisson, Eric and McMillan, Steve. 2007. Astronomy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe (5th Edition). New
Jersey, USA: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Earth Science II – Astronomy (4260) Course Description & Requirements
Grade Level(s): 10-12 Credit: 1 unit
This elective course will include a study of Astronomy (including planetary modiums, constellations, and
laws), and basic geosciences, including weather, geology, oceans, topographic maps, and basic ecology.
The Astronomy classroom is comprised of approximately 20-25 sophomores, juniors and seniors. The class
meets daily for 55-minutes for four 9-week periods for a total of 36 weeks. According to Bedford County
policy, there are no course pre-requisites for Astronomy.
A complete list of classroom and safety rules and procedures can be found at my web site,
www.jeffersonforesthighschool.bedford.va.k12us.com/tprice. You may also access the school website at
www.bedford.k12.va.us/jfhs.
Classroom Supplies
Notebook of choice for taking notes and completing homework
1 roll of paper towels
1 box of tissues
Grading Policies
Note that the point value assigned to each task is NOT a % of grade but the value of each task individually.
This grading scale is in accordance with Bedford County policy on grading scales in ALL courses. Progress
reports will be sent according to Bedford County policy or when specifically requested by the parent or
student. Grades will be updated by Monday morning in Powerschool. Please contact the school if you have
not yet received your Parent Portal login information.
Assignments will be posted on the board and the class web-site. Late work will not be
accepted except for an excused absence.
ALL assignments and lectures are posted online. It is the student’s responsibility to review the schedule for
missed material. Copies of all handouts are located in the Chemistry Folder on the wall in the front of the
room. Students must make arrangements on the day they return to school from an excused absence to make
up work based on BCPS Policy.
Absent 1-2 days, you will have 3 school days to make up work.
Absent 3-5 days, you will have 6 school days to make up work.
Absent 6+ days, you will need to talk with me to establish a date for the work to
be completed.
Homework assignments will only receive credit if submitted on time. If you anticipate any difficulties with
meeting an assignment deadline, you must notify me BEFORE the due date. No credit will be given for late
homework. If you miss an assigned test or laboratory experiment, you must arrange with me a time before
or after school to make it up.
The following grading breakdown is a guideline for the approximate weight of each assignment. Please note
that Bedford County grading policy states that no single assignment can count for more than 25% of the
overall grade.
Grading Breakdown
Summative: Tests
70% of the final grade
Formative: Quizzes, Labs, Classwork
20% of the final grade
Homework
10% of the Final Grade
A
B
C
D
F
I
89.5 – 100
79.5 – 89.4
69.5 – 79.4
59.5 – 69.4
Below 59.4
Grading Scale (%)
Outstanding
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
Incomplete
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the Jefferson Forest High School
Student Code of Conduct. These rules will be strictly enforced. Students are also expected to follow the
safety guidelines for the laboratory. Classroom rules have been developed for both academic and conduct.
These rules are posted in the classroom and on the web-site for review.
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RESPECT; Respect the teacher, your fellow students, the classroom and materials. We will use the
parliamentary procedure in the classroom for open discussions and debates. At all other times, the
instructor shall not be interrupted;
Students will follow all safety rules. These rules comply with state and federal guidelines. Do not
touch anything that is not yours or until instructed (including computers and equipment).
Students will complete all work individually and on time. All homework is due when the tardy bell
rings. If it is not turned in at that time, it is considered to be late.
Work for other classes may NOT be completed in my classroom. All other work will be confiscated
and returned at the END of class.
Be prepared for class; bring the necessary supplies, be seated before the tardy bell rings. This also
means that all electronic devices must be silenced and properly stowed away in a purse, pocket or
book bag. Lecture begins as soon as the tardy bell rings. Students are expected to take notes every
day. If you are absent, you may ask me for a copy of the notes AT THE END OF CLASS.
All book bags, purses and other items must be placed on the floor or at a lab station and may not be
left on the student desk.
NO food or drinks allowed in the laboratory. This is a state law. Bottled water or water in a clear
container with a spill proof top are allowed to be on the desk.
Students AND parents, when you have read and understand the materials and requirements of my science
class, please go to the following web address and complete the survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KLTD3DF
Course Timeline:
Unit/Time frame
1 week
2 wks
3 wks
Topic
Classroom and Scientific
Discovery
Introduction to Astronomy
The development of modern
day astronomy
3 wks
Light Characteristic S and E-M
radiation
2 wks
Types of Telescopes
6 wks
Solar System
1 wk
4 wks
The Odd Planet Pluto
Our Sun and Stellar
Classification
4 wks
Stellar Evolution
4 wks
Galaxies
4 wks
Universe and Cosmology
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Essential knowledge
Classroom Rules and Laboratory Safety
Scientific Method and Math of Astronomy
Tools of the astronomer including vocabulary and equipment
Concept of Celestial Sphere
The apparent motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars
How relative motions of the Earth, Sun, and the Moon lead to eclipses
Early concepts of our place in the universe
Scientific leaders in history and their contributions to astronomy
(including:
Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brache, Kepler, Newton, Galilleo, etc.)
Newton’s Laws of Motion and Kepler’s Laws
Light characteristics (ie. Reflection and Refraction)
Electromagnetic Radiation: types; frequencies; energy levels; etc.
Temperature of distant objects
Basic components of atoms
Doppler Effect
Major types of optical telescopes
Advantages of reflecting telescopes
Effect of Earth’s atmosphere on astronomical observations
Advantages and disadvantages of radio astronomy
Uses of interferometry
Infrared, ultraviolet, and high energy astronomies
Use of various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to make
observations and Hubble telescope
Solar system
Sun, Earth, and Moon relationship with seasons, eclipses, night & day
Earth (plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, erosion, and mass
movement,
internal structure, atmosphere)
Origins of the Moon (theories), Terrestrial Planets (characteristics),
Jovian Planets (characteristics)
Characteristics of Pluto and Charon (natural satellite)
Properties of the sun
Energy transference in the sun
Solar magnetic field and solar activity
Determination of stellar distances
Luminosity vs. Apparent Brightness
Classification of stars
Estimation of Stellar sizes
H-R Diagram
Composition and physical properties of the interstellar medium
Characteristics of emission nebulae
Properties of dark interstellar clouds
Theory of star formation
Effect of mass on star formation
Evolutionary stages followed by a Sun-like star
Evolutionary stages of high-mass and low mass stars
Types of supernovae
Origins of heavy elements
Observations that verify theories of stellar evolution & Black holes
Milky Way (physical structure)
Variable stars
Orbital paths of stars in the galaxy
Explanations for the existence of spiral arms
Possible nature and existence of dark matter
Phenomena observed at the center of our Galaxy
Characteristics of Normal Galaxies/Classification
Hubble’s Law
Mapping the universe beyond our Milky Way Galaxy
Active Galaxies, Seyfert and Radio Galaxies and Quasars
Theories of galactic evolution
Cosmological Principle
Determination of the age of the Universe
Cosmic microwave background radiation
Process of cosmic evolution
Chances of finding life in space: our search
Space exploration