Instructor:
Prof. Frederick
M. Walter (ESS 459; 632-8232;
frederick.walter at stonybrook.edu)
Office Hours: most Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays 9-10 AM, or by appointment
TA:
Updated 18 June 2019
Note: all this information is subject to change up until the first day of the semester.
Course Structure :
Astronomy 248 is a course in Astrobiology.
As such, it is a free-ranging examination of our universe as a habitat for
life. We will cover aspects of physics and astronomy
(the physical conditions in the universe; extrasolar planets),
information theory (how do we recognize signals from alien intelligences?),
biology (how does intelligent life evolve?), and
chemistry (where does life come from in the first place?).
We will answer the question "Where are they?"
Among the goals of
this course are to train the student in estimation and critical thinking.
This course consists of two weekly lectures.
Attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged.
Part of each lecture may be set aside for discussions of current topics of
interest in the news.
Students are encouraged to use the world-wide-web to explore topics
covered in this course, but the web must be explored with caution.
Prerequisites: One SBC SNW or one DEC
category E course.
You are expected to
understand the concepts behind scientific reasoning. Your exact background
(e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy) may help you in certain areas
of the course.
We will use some mathematical reasoning, using
algebra, and will introduce physical principles as they are needed.
Expectations: This is a rigorous science course at the college
level. Students are expected to do all assigned readings prior to lecture, and
to participate in class. Students should expect to spend 6-9 hours per week
outside of class reading the material and doing the homework.
Astrobiology is a quantitative science;
students in this course will be expected to be able to solve problems and
answer quantitative questions. But this topic lies astride both the
humanities and the sciences. We will delve into the
humanistic side of science when appropriate.
Learning Objectives: Mastery of this course does not mean remembering
facts. It means knowing how to think scientifically.
A student who masters Astronomy will be able to think critically about data
(observations), and synthesize disparate facts to reach a conclusion in almost
any area where the data can be quantified. More specifics can be found here.
If passed, this course satifies DEC H or SBC STAS
requirements.
Required Books:
The book is available through the campus bookstore.
It can also be ordered on-line from various sources.
Suggested Books:
Grading : Lectures: Students are encouraged to ask questions at any time during the lectures.
The power point presentations are usually placed online,
but lecture notes will not be available.
You are responsible for taking notes.
In fact, note-taking is encouraged, as it helps you sort and retain the
material we discuss.
Attendance Policy: Homework: Homework problems from the textbook
will be assigned weekly, but will neither be collected nor graded.
I often repeat these questions on the quizzes and tests.
Testing Policy: During an examination:
No electronic devices of any kind are allowed during examinations. Cell
phones and pagers must be turned off. Students who
disrupt the examination because of an audible phone or pager,
or by answering a call,
will be asked to leave and will have their exam confiscated.
Students who have a legitimate need to be on-call during an examination
should discuss this with the instructor in advance.
Students are responsible for coming to the tests prepared. The instructor
does not supply pens, pencils or answers.
Tests should be completed in pen (any color except red).
Attendance policy for midterms and final: Students will not be
permitted to leave for the first 30 minutes (midterms) or the first 45 minutes
(final). No students will be admitted after anyone leaves. Students
who leave the exam for whatever reason will not be allowed to return.
Plan ahead.
Makeup policy:
Midterm and final examinations may be made up only with a valid medical excuse
and a
doctor's note attesting that the student could not take the exam, or for
a sanctioned university event. Students
seeking a makeup must contact the instructor as soon as possible.
There will be no makeups on quizzes (the lowest 2 are dropped); except as
noted above.
Requests for extra credit assignments will not be entertained.
Academic Dishonesty: Students who suspect others of cheating are encouraged to report them.
Reports will be kept confidential.
Dishonest students make things that much harder for the majority of
students, who are honest.
Americans with Disabilities Act/Student
Accessibility Support Center Statement:
Grades will be based on:
This tests will be graded on a curve.
All students who do A work (90% or better) will receive A grades. However,
from past experience typical grades will be lower. If the median grade is
less than 80%, grades will be curved such that the median test grade is C+, and
the top 10% of the students will get A grades.
The raw and curved grades will be available on the web (details later).
The lecture hall will be nearly full.
Students attending lectures are asked to exhibit common courtesy.
Students who know in advance that they will miss a class or a test because
of university-related activities (including athletics) or civic obligations
(e.g., jury duty) should contact the
instructor as soon as possible in advance of the date of absence.
Students so-engaged, who inform the
instructor in a timely manner, will not be penalized, and will be allowed
to make up any work missed.
Testing is an important way of assessing whether or not you are learning
anything from this class. There will be two mid-term examinations
and a final examination. The final examination will be designed to take
about 1.5 hours to complete, and will be cumulative.
All exams are closed-book.
However,
each student is allowed to bring one sheet of paper, no larger than 8 1/2 x 11
inches in size, containing whatever information the student deems useful.
Students should have a picture ID to present upon handing in their exams.
Students suspected of cheating in exams, of plagiarizing their writing
assignments, or of any other form of academic dishonesty,
will be assigned an F grade for the course and will be reported
to the academic
judiciary.
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may
impact your course work, please contact Student Accessibility Support Center,
ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, Room 128, (631) 632-6748.
They will determine with you what accommodations, If any, are necessary and
appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Further information is available here.
Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged
to discuss their needs with their professors and Student Accessibility
Support Center. For procedures and information go to
this website: