FYS 100D. First-Year Seminar: Cosmic Chemistry (2004)
FYS 100D. First-Year Seminar: Cosmic Chemistry (2004)
| Instructor: | Dr. C.D. Schaeffer |
| Office: | Musser Hall, Room 2-104 |
| Telephone: | Ext. 1128 (office) or 1126 (chemistry secretary) |
| E-mail: | schaeffercd@etown.edu |
| Office Hours: | MWF, 7:00-8:00 a.m.; TuTh, 7:00-8:00 a.m.; and by appointment |
| Seminar: | MWF, 8:00-8:50 a.m., Musser Hall, Room 2-116 |
| Colloquium: | W, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; other sessions to be arranged as needed |
Required Textbooks and Materials
M.A. Seeds, "Foundations of Astronomy,"
8th ed., Thomson-Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA, 2005 (ISBN 0-534-42120-2).
R. Gupta, Ed., "Observer’s Handbook
2004," Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, 2003 (ISBN
0-9689141-4-4).
A. Raimes, "Keys for Writers: A Brief
Handbook," 4th ed., Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA, 2004 (ISBN 0-618-43785-1).
Electronic hand calculator. Calculators
may not be shared during quizzes or examinations.
Collateral Reading, References and Supplementary Material
Optional reading is listed at the end of every chapter of the textbook. Additional homework problems may be found in the textbook and in any other general astronomy textbook, many of which may be found in the library. Information for portions of the course dealing with chemical principles, concepts of matter, and atomic and molecular structure will provided in class. You will need to rely on resources of the High Library, the Stambaugh Chemistry Library, internet documents, and, perhaps, interlibrary-loaned resources as additional sources of information. Effective use of these resources is a required portion of this course and will be considered in determining your final grade.
Objectives
All First-Year Seminars share a set of objectives which form a strong foundation for academic success. The general First-Year Seminar objectives are to:
• Introduce students to the academic
expectations of college life
• Engage in the practice of critical
analysis and synthesis
• Establish writing as a principal
means by which educated persons think, understand and communicate
• Develop communication skills in
reading, listening, and speaking
• Explore the methods of a particular
body of knowledge and/or discipline
• Establish the library as a major
repository of knowledge
• Explain and set standards of academic
integrity
• Foster an attitude of enthusiasm
and genuine intellectual curiosity toward learning
• Enage students in researching a
subject, gathering & evaluating information, organizing & writing
a paper, and using proper & consistent documentation
This section is a one-semester survey
of the connection between chemistry and astronomy. Students will explore
the general principles of solar system and stellar astronomy, and the chemical
principles which govern the operation and dynamics of the planets and stars.
Topics will be discussed in the modern sequence, beginning with the stars,
galaxies and galactic superclusters and moving inward to the sun and solar
system. Additional material includes:
| Development & History of Astronomy | Electromagnetic Radiation |
| Atoms & Elements; Molecules & Compounds | Astronomical Instruments |
| Scientific Measurements; Error | Solar System |
| Time | Stars & Galaxies |
| Water, Water Anywhere? | Carbon vs. Silicon-Based Life |
| Light Elements | Life Elsewhere |
| Heavy Element Formation | Cosmological Models |
In addition to the information content of each topic, it is important that each student develop his or her ability to use that information effectively. Students will be expected to be able to:
1. Correctly define and use terminology
related to the topics.
2. Apply theoretical concepts to specific
examples to predict behavior.
3. Perform quantitative calculations
related to the topics to obtain numerically correct results with proper
units.
4. Make accurate measurements, and
interpret experimental data.
5. Write and speak about the objectives
to the instructor and to classmates.
Attendance
Attendance at colloquia and seminars is required to pass this course. Students will be responsible on quizzes and examinations for information presented in the lectures, as well as for reading, problem assignments and colloquia content up to the date of the examination. Unexcused absences from exams or quizzes will be rewarded with grades of zero. There are no makeups for missed colloquia.
Problem and Reading Assignments
Responding to questions and problems in frequent and serious study sessions can be one of the most effective learning techniques. Answers for many of the problems are found near the end of the textbook. Examinations may deal with verbal or numerical questions of a similar nature to those in the homework. If you delay problem solving and studying until just prior to the examinations, you will be asking for trouble.
Examinations, Quizzes, Papers, and Documentation Standards
Examinations will be given during lecture periods on the indicated dates. A comprehensive final examination will be administered at the end of the course during the final examination period. Under no circumstances will these examinations be rescheduled. Brief quizzes will be given during lecture periods. The dates and topics of the quizzes may or may not be announced in advance. Attendance at exams and quizzes is required; there will be no make-up exams or quizzes under any circumstances. At least one paper involving library and internet resources on announced topics will be due during the semester. For documentation and stylistic information, consult the most recent editions of "The ACS Style Guide," J.S. Dodd, editor, and A. Raimes, "Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook." Further details will be provided in class.
Grading
Final grades will be tentatively determined
by combining exam grades (50%), the final exam grade (25%), quizzes (15%),
and a composite of grades on writing and speaking assignments (10%).
Letter equivalents to the final numerical total are as follows:
| 0 - 59% = F | 70 - 72% = C- | 83 - 86% = B |
| 60 - 62% = D- | 73 - 76% = C | 87 - 89% = B+ |
| 63 - 66% = D | 77 - 79% = C+ | 90 - 92% = A- |
| 67 - 69% = D+ | 80 - 82% = B- | 93 -100% = A |
Students may request a grade of "I" by submitting a formal written request to the professor of that course. Grades of "I" are assigned for extenuating circumstances only. They are not given simply to allow additional time to complete required course work or to improve a course grade. Forms are available in the Registration & Records Office.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with the policy regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism as outlined in the College’s Student Handbook, and in the most recent edition of the pamphlet, "Academic Integrity at Elizabethtown College." These activities will not be tolerated, and will be penalized severely. The establishment of high standards of academic integrity is the major goal of all Elizabethtown College First-Year Seminars. This entails clear citation of work to its creator. In this course, follow the guidelines in the sources mentioned; in the event of questions, always ask the instructor. Ignorance is not bliss. You will be asked to pledge that you have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on work submitted for grading.
Disability Statement
If you have a documented disability
and need reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities
or meet course requirements, you must: (1) contact the Director of
Disability Services, Tammie Longsderff, in the Center of Student Success,
BSC 226, 717-361-1549, longsdtl@etown.edu; and (2) meet with me,
the course instructor, within two weeks of receiving a copy of the accommodation
letter from Disability Services to discuss your accommodation needs and
their implementation.
Tentative Lecture Outline & Examination Schedule
| Chapter & Topic | Date |
| Introduction to FYS 100; Academic Integrity; The Book | Aug. 28, 29 |
| Scale of the Cosmos (Ch. 1), Celestial Sphere (Ch. 2) | Aug. 30 |
| Powers of Ten, Scientific Notation, Significant Figures | Sep. 1, 3 |
| Library, Part 1: Sources & Citations | Sep. 8: Go directly to High Library |
| Atoms, Ions, Molecules, Structure | Sep. 10, 13 (at BSC, 2nd floor), 15 |
| Radiation, Reactions, Nuclear Chemistry, Fission & Fusion | Sep. 17, 20, 22 |
| Exam 1 | Sep. 24 (Friday) |
| Starlight (Ch. 7) | Sep. 27, 29, Oct. 1 |
| Library, Part 2: Additional Library Research Resources | Oct. 6 (Wednesday): Go directly to High Library |
| Sun & Solar Activity (Ch. 8) | Oct. 8 |
| Origin of the Solar System, Planet Building (Ch. 19) | Oct. 11, 13, 15 |
| Inner Planets (Chs. 20-22) | Oct. 18, 20, 22, 25 |
| Outer Planets, Satellites, Asteroids, Meteors (Chs. 23-25) | Oct. 27, 29, Nov. 1 (paper due), 3 |
| Exam 2 | Nov. 5 (Friday): Omit coordiante system discussion and omit Monday's handout. |
| Star Formation, Orion Nebula (Chs. 9-10) | Nov. 8, 10 |
| Stellar Evolution, Giants, Variables, H-R Diagram (Chs. 11-12) | Nov. 12, 15, 17, 19 |
| White Dwarfs, Supernovae, Neutron Stars, Pulsars, Black Holes (Chs. 13-14) | Nov. 22, 24, 29, Dec. 1 |
| Exam 3 | Dec. 3 (Friday) |
| Milky Way: Components, Mass, Origin (Ch. 15) | Dec. 6 |
| Galaxy Properties, Hubble Law, Classification, Interacting Galaxies, Clusters, Quasars (Chs. 16-17) | Dec. 6, 8 |
| Cosmological Assumptions: Big Bang, Open & Closed Universes, Age of Universe (Ch. 18) | Dec. 10 |
| Life on Other Worlds: Communications, Project SETI (Ch. 26) | Dec. 10 |
| Final Examination, Cumulative | December 17 (Friday), 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
Tentative Reading & Review Question Assignments
In addition to completing
the reading assignments, you will need to answer the eight-twelve Review
Questions which appear at the end of each chapter.
Ch. 1 Reading: pps. 1-9
Ch. 2 Reading: pps. 10-29
Ch. 3 Reading: pps. 30-50
Ch. 4 Reading: pps. 51-75
Ch. 5 Reading: pps. 76-96
Ch. 6 Reading: pps. 97-122
Ch. 7 Reading: pps. 123-144
Ch. 8 Reading: pps. 145-169
Ch. 9 Reading: pps. 170-195
Ch. 10 Reading: pps. 196-213
Ch. 11 Reading: pps. 214-232
Ch. 12 Reading: pps. 233-254
Ch. 13 Reading: pps. 255-277
Ch. 14 Reading: pps. 278-303
Ch. 15 Reading: pps. 304-332
Ch. 16 Reading: pps. 333-356
Ch. 17 Reading: pps. 357-378
Ch. 18 Reading: pps. 379-405
Ch. 19 Reading: pps. 406-431
Ch. 20 Reading: pps. 432-447
Ch. 21 Reading: pps. 448-470
Ch. 22 Reading: pps. 471-501
Ch. 23 Reading: pps. 502-534
Ch. 24 Reading: pps. 535-559
Ch. 25 Reading: pps. 560-588
Ch. 26 Reading: pps. 589-609
Colloquium
The colloquium schedule consists of
three components. There are several programs which are common to
the first year seminars and are required by each, and these have been scheduled
into the Wednesday-at-11:00 a.m. time slots (location: Leffler Auditorium).
In addition, there are supplementary topics and programs which are valuable
for this specific colloquium; these have been scheduled in either
a Wednesday-at-11:00 a.m. time slot or in the concluding 25 minutes
of regular class time. Finally, some time exists for the pursuit
of topics of our own choosing, and these can be scheduled during either
Wednesday-at-11:00 a.m. times or during the concluding portions of class
meetings. Attendance at colloquia and completion of evaluation forms
for each main lecture is required of all students. There are
no makeups for missed colloquia. Students will be responsible on
quizzes and examinations for information presented in colloquia up to the
date of the exercise. Students who follow these guidelines will have
the opportunity to earn a passing grade in this colloquium. The tentative
schedule for this semester follows; further details and changes will
be announced in class.
Tentative Colloquium Schedule
| Topic | Date |
| Colloquium overview & organization | Aug. 27 |
| Activities fair | Sep. 1 |
| Douglas Rushkoff (NYU): Life in the matrix | Sep. 8 |
| Arthur Caplan (Penn): Reproductive technology | Sep. 15 |
| Dennis Christopher (NASA-Goddart): Information technology | Sep. 18 (Sat) |
| Ted Long (Elizabethtown): Public Forum | Sep. 22 |
| Gary Telgenhoff (consultant for the TV show, "CSI") | Sep. 29 |
| Stephanie Rankin (Elizabethtown): Career advice and news | Oct. 6 |
| Donald Kraybill (Elizabethtown): Technology & Amish culture | Oct. 13 |
| John Leaman (Elizabethtown, class of '95): Advances in medical technology | Oct. 20 |
| F. McClellan and A. Kelly-Woessner (Elizabethtown): Technology & the electoral process | Oct. 27 |
| Day of Integrity | Nov. 3 |
| F. McClellan and A. Kelly-Woessner (Elizabethtown): The first 100 days of the next administration | Nov. 10 |
| Sean Melvin: Technology & ethics of MP3 downloading | Nov. 17 |
| To be announced | Nov. 24 |
| Martha Pennington (Elizabethtown College): Technology & language/communication | Dec. 1 |
| Jim Hilton (Elizabethtown): Study abroad opportunities | Dec. 8 |