Galaxies and Cosmology  (Physics 420)   COURSE EXPECTATIONS  2008/2009
TEXTS	Universe, 7^th edition by Freedman and Kaufmann Physics 3rd ed, by Walker Astrophysics 2008 a set of data tables, pictures, graphs, and other good stuff
CLASS	taught by John Kolena    email: kolena@ncssm.edu   office: Bryan 443        phone: (919)416-2767 The pace of the class will be brisk, partly because I will assume that you already know a good deal of astrophysics (because you have done the assigned daily readings and have studied the worked examples suggested). We will often refer to the text for pictures and graphs virtually every class day, so please bring your text to class each day. You are required to have two lab journals. We might be taking lab data on any day, or we might be discussing lab work already in your journals, so you need to have your journals with you every day, except of course when they have been handed in for grading. I also expect you to have your working graphing calculator with you every day.
READING	The course syllabus is a rough guide to the order of the topics that we will study this trimester.  Refer to it often; you are allowed to read ahead!  The course web site address is www.phy.duke.edu/~kolena/gc08w.html It is your responsibility to make sure that you know what is expected of you for the next class in the way of textbook reading, homework, and   labwork.  Assignments will be available on the web. Please get into the habit of checking the web site daily.  I will try to have any relevant messages and assignments posted by 6 pm. I cannot emphasize enough how important reading the relevant text sections and studying the worked examples in advance of my talking about them are to your success in this class. Reading an astrophysics book or studying worked examples is quite unlike reading a novel or a social studies text. More about this sometime in class.
WRITING	Assigned written homework problems (many of which will be next-day or in 2 days) will sometimes be brought to class and sometimes due by 5 pm in the black box on the table outside my office,   Bryan 443.   After completing the assigned reading each night, you should check out some of the Review Questions or Advanced Questions in the back of the text.  If you cannot answer them pretty immediately, it means that you need to re-read the appropriate sections and/or re-study the worked examples more carefully.     You should be solving at least 1 problem on your own every day. Keep all these extra worked problems organized in your notebook; they may be traded in for extra class commitment or class presentations. Homework MUST be stapled if more than one page. There is a stapler mounted on the 4th floor Bryan wall across from room 441. Lab instructions should be available (on the website) a day or more before we actually do lab.  Please read them beforehand. Lab expectations are available in the Physics 352/354 Lab Guide handout.
TUTORIAL	Physics teachers and senior tutors will be available most every M  -  Th for at least an hour. Use this opportunity! Check the posted tutorial schedule on the physics hallway.  My tutorial night is Wednesday.
OFFICE HOURS	My teaching blocks are DE this trimester.  You are welcome to visit me in my office (Bryan 443) during your free periods, to talk about astrophysics or anything else. I will particularly try to be available immediately after school. You can also email me .
HONESTY	You will receive a copy of the  Physics Honesty Policy to sign.  It will also be posted in the classroom.
TARDY	Of course, I expect you to be on time for class.  In addition to what NCSSM policy considers as Tardy, you will also be considered and reported as Tardy if you are not in your seat when I begin 8 am classes or classes immediately following lunch.  You will also be considered Tardy even if you arrive on time, but have to return to your dorm room because you are inappropriately dressed, do not have your calculator, or do not have your lab materials (lab book, prelab, ...) on days when lab is scheduled. The Physics Tardy Policy  addresses the consequences of being Tardy.  The Tardy Policy is also posted in physics classrooms.  You will receive a copy to read, sign, and return during the first week of classes.
LATE WORK POLICY	Homework is due on the date and time assigned.  Homework that is up to one day late will be accepted for a maximum grade of 80%. Homework that is more one day late will not be accepted.  Note that major assignments, assigned well in advance, are due on the day they are due regardless of last-minute illness!  Contact me before the due date in case of sustained, major illness or other unavoidable conflicts. If you miss 2 of any combination of assignments (homework, lab, etc.), you will report to Saturday morning Restricted Study.   Any additional miss after the first 2 missed assignments will result in additional Saturday assignments.
CLASS COMMITMENT	Even though we will not have formal tests in this class, you will be tested every day in a variety of ways; examples of such are in the following (non-exhaustive) list: coming to class and turning in your work on time showing enthusiasm in your learning working problems beyond the ones required for turn-in taking useful notes asking questions of your own and answering mine in class challenging explanations or examples that leave you confused convincing me that you did the assigned daily reading being prepared for and taking leadership in labs following verbal and written instructions, especially in lab helping your classmates where appropriate re-doing major assignments that do not earn at least a grade of C+ taking initiative in getting missed notes & assignments from a classmate (or the web) after an absence taking initiative in completing and turning in assignments (homework and lab) before a planned absence or asap after an unplanned one (including assignments due in class) getting extra help from me outside of class and at tutorial as appropriate posting problem solutions when the option arises presenting 2 problems (your choice) to the whole class each trimester Your class commitment grade is my assessment of how committed you are to making this class a successful learning experience not only for yourself, but also for the rest of the class. You are encouraged to talk with me periodically during the year about your class commitment grade.
GRADING	Pre-final-exam/project Trimester grades will be based on 20% Class Commitment 10% JITs (weekly reading "quizzes" submitted before class via the web) 35% Homework assignments 35% Lab and Project work A final exam/project will count 15% - 25% toward the final course grade. The following grading scale applies to all work in this class A: 80 -- 100 B: 70 -- 79.99etc C: 60 -- 69.99etc D: below 60

ncssm Physics safety, tardy, CLASSROOM COMPUTER USE, and honesty policies

Physics SAFETY CONTRACT

We may be doing many activities that require the use of sensitive equipment. Safety is the # 1 priority in our classrooms. To ensure a safe learning environment, all students will be instructed in science classroom safety and the student safety contract will be signed and filed at NCSSM.   When necessary, safety considerations will be included on student handouts; they also will be given orally at the start of each activity.

• I will act responsibly at all times in the classroom.  I understand that horseplay, jokes, and pranks are not appropriate anywhere on the science hallway.
• I will follow all instructions, written and verbal, about the laboratory procedures given by the teacher.
• I will not touch any equipment or supplies until instructed to do so by the teacher.
  
  

• I will perform only those activities that have been authorized by the teacher.
• I will keep my table and the area around it clean and neat.
• I will wear my safety goggles whenever instructed to do so by the teacher.
• I will wear closed-toe shoes while doing a lab activity.
• I will immediately notify the teacher of any emergency.
• I will tie back long hair, baggy clothes, and dangling jewelry while doing a laboratory activity.
• I will contact the teacher immediately for help in case of an emergency.
• I will not take anything out of the room without permission from the teacher.

PHYSICS TARDY POLICY 2008-2009

The absence or lateness of each student will be recorded on a daily basis. Any student who is late to class three times will receive 30 minutes of work detail after school. This work detail is in addition to any sanctions incurred under the school-wide tardy policy. Work detail may include cleaning of the physics whiteboards, classrooms, lab areas and hallway, repair of physics equipment, Saturday morning work detail under the supervision of Plant Facilities staff, or other work. Failure to fulfill the work requirement satisfactorily will result in further disciplinary action including possible issuance of levels.

You will be considered Tardy even if you arrive on time, but have to return to your room because you are inappropriately dressed for class or lab, do not have your calculator, or do not have your lab materials on days when lab is scheduled.

PHYSICS CLASSROOM COMPUTER USE POLICY 2008-2009

Computers may be used in the classroom only for activities appropriate to physics instruction and learning.  The instructor will guide these computer-appropriate activities.

PHYSICS ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY 2008-2009

It is a violation of your academic honesty to give or receive information to or from others during a test or quiz or to use unapproved sources of information. It is also wrong to give or receive information about a test or quiz before all students, including those in other sections of the course, have taken it. On each test, you are required to sign an honesty pledge to the effect that you have upheld the Physics Academic Honesty Policy.

On problem assignments, make an earnest effort to solve problems by yourself before asking for help from physics instructors, tutors, or your classmates. Unless stated otherwise, we expect you to do all writing independently of other students. This means, for example, that you may not look at any other student's assignment (paper, electronic submission, whatever) while writing your own.

The nature of lab work requires you to work with others in carrying out experiments. On labs for which you write joint reports, we expect each member of the lab group to participate fully in the preparation of the report and to be familiar with all aspects of it. On the cover page of such reports, each partner must write and sign a statement that he/she participated fully in the preparation of the report. On labs for which individual reports are written, we expect you to do all writing and all calculations independently of other students (including your partner). Presentation of data not collected by you personally in your lab journal or reports is a violation of academic honesty.

No credit will be given for assignments turned in that violate the Physics Academic Honesty Policy.

Disciplinary consequences of cheating are described in the Student Handbook.

I understand and agree to follow all of the safety rules in this contract. I understand that I must obey these rules to make sure that the other students, my teacher, and I work and learn in a safe environment. I will cooperate completely with my teacher and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part, will result in being removed from the classroom or in other appropriate measures to maintain safety.

I have read and understand the Physics Tardy Policy, and I will abide by it.

I have read and understand the Physics Classroom Computer Use Policy, and I will abide by it.

I have read and understand the Physics Academic Honesty Policy, and I will abide by it.

Printed name:______________________________ 

Signature:__________________________________________Date:___________