Dr. Shashi M. Kanbur - Fall 2006

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is an alegbra based introduction to Astronomy, builidng on material learnt in Astronomy 100, hopefully laying the foundations of some critical thinking and problem solving. There are two principal course goals:

You will get an introduction to basic Astronomy in somewhat more depth to that covered in Astronomy 100 and learn what are topics of current interest in this field. m and
You will develop an understanding (and, hopefully, an appreciation) of how science works and how we know what we know.

Format

The lecture periods are set as MWF 9.10-10.05am.

This class will not be a passive experience.

As a result, both coming to class and doing the readings are mandatory for this course.

Finally, all the "facts" you need to succeed in this course are in your text. You are encouraged to bring it with you to class as a guide for the lecture and a framework for any additional notes you may wish to take.

Assignments and projects will involve the use of high school algebra.

Even if understanding how to think like a scientist doesn't interest you, you can not escape science in today's world. Like it or not, you are now living in a complex, modern society where science plays an ever-increasing role. It is crucial that you understand how science and scientists actually work, since you will find yourself voting on, reading newspaper articles about, and probably using the products of scientific research every day for the rest of your life. Perhaps this course will spark a life-long interest in science; perhaps not. In any event, the thought processes and reasoning skills you develop this semester should stand you in good stead in situations far surpassing this single undergraduate 3-credit course.