Grades Your grade for the course will be based on your overall score, which is computed from the following Grades Your grade for the course will be based on your overall score, which is computed from the following components: each of the three tests counts as 20% of the overall score; quizzes and homework as 20%; and in-class activities as 20%. Your semester grade will be based on your overall score, according to the following breakdown: 90- A 100; 80-89; 70-79; 60-69; less than 60. For example, if you score 80 on each of the three tests, 90 on the B C D F quizzes/homework, and 90 on in-class activities, your average score is: .20(80) + .20(80) + .20(80) + .20(90) + .20(90) = 84, a grade of B. Your semester grade, as determined from this formula, will be lowered for poor attendance, that is, if you miss too many in-class activities during the semester. Your semester grade will be raised if you frequently participate by asking or answering relevant questions in class. With the exception of occasional extra assignments at the instructor's discretion, . NOINDIVIDUAL EXTRA CREDIT WORKIS AVAILABLE

Computer Requirement Announcements and notes will be distributed by e-mail to your on-campus email address only. Computer Requirement Announcements and notes will be distributed by e-mail to your on-campus email address only. Requirement If you use an off-campus email address, it is your responsibility to arrange with Academic Computing Services (ACS) to have your campus email forwarded to your alternate address.

Evening Viewing Sessions Weather permitting, you are invited to attend one or more of the evening viewing sessions at Evening Viewing Sessions Weather permitting, you are invited to attend one or more of the evening viewing sessions at Viewing Sessions the campus observatory throughout the semester. Dates and times will be announced.

####### How to Do Well in this Course

: Here is my advice, based on years of experience:

- • Come to class. Pay attention.
- • Complete all in -class activities.
- • Ask questions if you don't understand something.
- • Keep up with the reading assignments.
- • Don't leave test studying to the last minute.
- • Come see me or contact me if you are having trouble understanding the material. I am glad to help!

Educational Goals of this Course By the end of the semester, in addition to practice in critical thinking and quantitative Educational Goals of this Course By the end of the semester, in addition to practice in critical thinking and quantitative Goals of this Course reasoning, you should have gained:

- • an appreciation of the historical path by which astronomers have accumulated knowledge about stars.

• an understanding of the physical properties of stars (including the Sun) and how astronomers obtain this information through observation.

- • an understanding of the basic physics of stars, including both ordinary and unusual stars, such as white dwarfs, supernovae, pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes.
- • a knowledge of the Sun's structure and evolution.
- • a knowledge of crucial astronomical quantities and physical laws.
- • an understanding that the same physical laws and processes are valid everywhere in the Universe.
- • an understanding of the roles of observations, experiments, theory and mathematical models in science.
- • a realization that uncertainty is inevitable in science, but that this does not mean that a given scientific theory is wrong.
- • some knowledge of related subjects, such as physics and mathematics.

Academic Integrity: UMass Dartmouth students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity and Academic Integrity: UMass Dartmouth students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity and Integrity: scholarly practice. The University does not tolerate academic dishonesty of any kind, whether as a result of a failure to understand academic regulations or as an act of intentional dishonesty. A student found responsible of academic dishonesty, such as cheating on tests or submitting another student's work as their own, is subject to severe disciplinary action which may include dismissal from the University. The procedure for responding to incidents of academic dishonesty may be found in the Student Handbook.

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