ASTR-1510-01

Quasars & Cosmology – One-Credit Section

Grading Policy – Fall, 2009

 

Criterion for PASS Grade

This is a one credit course.  It is recommended that you read the textbook, as it will help you to understand the lectures, though I will not check to see that you do this.  This class will have 14 lectures on Monday/Tuesday, including the first one on August 31.  You will receive a grade of “PASS” if you attend and take notes in 11 of the 14 lectures.  If you attend fewer than 11 lectures, you will receive a grade of “NO CREDIT.”

Attendance

I recommend that you take notes in a three ring binder so that they can be turned in, and then re-inserted into your notebook.  The notes may be extensive or superficial, but must show that you were paying attention to the main points of the lecture to receive credit.  The notes must be stapled together and turned in at the end of the lecture to the teaching assistant.  You should keep the returned notes until you receive your final course grade. You will need to produce them if there is a dispute over your grade.

Learning Outcomes

A student who passes this course will be able to:

·   Describe the composition of our Universe in terms of ordinary and exotic matter and energy.

·   Describe how the different types of matter are organized into basic and hierarchical structures.

·   Give (to order of magnitude) the sizes and masses of different structures.

·   Have an intelligent conversation with a cosmologist

Religious Conflicts and Other Excused Absences

Rensselaer is a nonsectarian university, so classes meet whether or not they coincide with religious holidays. However no student in this (or any other) course is required to attend class or hand in work if it inhibits or prevents the observance of his or her religion.

You are also not required to attend class if you have a serious problem with your physical or mental health. A ``serious problem’’ is one that required you to see a health professional. You will need to document this with a written note from your caregiver or the Dean of Students.

If you are unable to attend class for health or religious reasons, please email me (WR) as soon as possible. I will give you some reading material on the lecture material and ask for a short written summary of the main ideas.

 

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Last modified: 8/28/09