Professor Margaret M. Hanson, 513-556-0524
LEARNING OBJECTIVES, READING ASSIGNMENTS & EXAM SCHEDULE
The
Students are expected to have completed the assigned reading before
coming to class and will heavily use their textbook and PRS. Buy
them both and bring your PRS to every class (book in class is optional).
Exams, taken closed book and individually, will make up 90% of the grade and reflect the material and work covered during class time and the assigned textbook reading. The 4 exams will be made up of multiple choice and two short essay questions. Exams can NOT be made up for any reason, however the lowest scoring exam will be dropped (this CAN be the final exam). The remaining 10% of the grade will come from work done in class (PRS) and some of which is handed in at the end of class. In class work can NOT be made up for any reason, however the lowest 3 (of ~15) in class assignments will be dropped.
Astronomy: Life in the Universe
margaret.hanson 'at' uc.edu
Tuesday, Thursday, 9:30am - 10:50am, 4400 Aronoff (DAAP)
Week
Date
Topic (click for Learning Objectives)
Book Reading pages (Sections)*
Slides - Posted after class
One
Tues, Jan 5
1: The Search for Life Elsewhere
pp 1 - 12 (sections 1.1-1.4)
Class 1 slides
Thurs, Jan 7
2: Science History, Pseudoscience & Theory
pp 16-26, 31-38 (2.1, parts of 2.2, 2.3)
Class 2 slides
Two
Tues, Jan 12
3: Stars, Galaxies, the Universe
pp 48-63, 66-69 (3.1, most of 3.2)
Class 3 slides
Thurs, Jan 14
4: Our Solar System
57-63, 66-80, 83-88 (most of 3.2,3.3)
Class 4 slides
Three
Tues, Jan 19
5: Earth: Geological History
83-88,100-112, (3.4: phases, light, 4.1, most of 4.2)
Class 5 slides
Thurs, Jan 21
6: Earth: Geological Evolution
113 - 123 (rest of 4.2, 4.3, start of 4.4)
Class 6 slides
Four
Tues, Jan 26
TEST 1 (click for study sheet)
Chapters 1 - 4 (not all pages!)
Thurs, Jan 28
7: Earth: Geology
123-133 (rest of 4.4, start of 4.5)
Class 7 slides
Five
Tues, Feb 2
8: Earth Habitability
132-138, 149-154 (rest of 4.5, start of 5.1)
Class 8 slides
Thurs, Feb 4
9: Life on Earth
154-160, 165-171, 178-181 (parts of Ch 5)
Class 9 slides
Six
Tues, Feb 9
10: Origin & Evolution of Life on Earth
pp 191-197, 206-214 (6.1, 6.3)
Class 10 slides
Thurs, Feb 11
11: Extinction, Life Needs
215-221, 236-242 (Ch 6.4, 7.1)
Class 11 slides
Seven
Tues, Feb 16
SNOW DAY CLASS CANCELED
Thurs, Feb 18
TEST 2 (click for study sheet)
Chapters 4 - 7 (not all pages!)
Eight
Tues, Feb 23
12: Mars Geology & History
pp 264-278 (Ch 8.2, start of 8.3)
Class 12 slides
Thurs, Feb 25
13: Is (or was) Life on Mars?
276-283, 287-290 (8.3, start of 8.4, 8.5)
Class 13 slides
Nine
Tues, Mar 2
14: Europa, Habitability, Exoplanets
(parts of Ch 9, 10, 11)
Class 14 slides
Thurs, Mar 4
15: Drake Eq., SETI, Fermi Paradox
(parts of Ch 12, 13)
Class 15 slides
Ten
Tues, Mar 9
TEST 3 (click for study sheet)
Chapters 8 - 13 (not all pages!)
Thurs, Mar 11
Review for TEST4 (click for study sheet)
Only the 20 learning objectives given on study sheet
will be on Test 4
FINALS
Tues, Mar 16 8-10am
TEST 4 (cumulative Final Exam)
*Textbook,
"Life in the Universe", Author: Bennett/Shostak, 2nd Ed.
means the learning objectives have
been posted and can be downloaded to prepare for class!!
About the class:
This class will use a variety of active learning methods, including
peer learning, group (formal and informal) work, PRS (personal
response system) and individual activities to cover learning
objectives and course material with very little lecture time during
class. There are several sections of astronomy using traditional
power-point driven lecture. I recommend you switch to those if you
do not wish to participate in an active learning environment.
