Download the 2006-2007 Course Description here.

Course Outline: week-to-week course notes.

Course news: check this page regularly.

Astronomy news: the latest news of the universe.

Term Assignments Information

Course Resources: some useful links to check out.

Sky Information: sky charts, and what you can see with them.

INSTRUCTOR: John R. Percy, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences. Office: 4046 South Building, Erindale Campus; phone 828-5351; Electronic Mail: jpercy@erin.utoronto.ca

John R. Percy. Information about the instructor.

SCHEDULE: Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 pm, room 2072; Office Hours: TR10:30-11:30 or by appointment, or email the instructor.

PREREQUISITE: None

EXCLUSION: AST252H, a 100- or higher-level course in Chemistry or Physics, with the exception of PHY205H or PHY206H.

This course counts toward the science distribution requirement at UTM.

TEXTBOOK

The textbook for this course for 2006-2007 is The Essential Cosmic Perspective, by Bennett et al., Third Edition (2005), published by Pearson/Addison-Wesley. This is a required textbook. Same textbook as for AST101H.

EVALUATION: Eight quizzes: 40 marks total. Two short projects: 20 marks total. Final exam: 40 marks. The quizzes will be held on Mondays Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Mar. 5, Mar. 12, Mar. 19, Mar 26, and Apr. 2 in tutorial. They will include a mixture of multiple-choice questions; short questions dealing with relations and graphs; and short "thought questions" like those in the back of the textbook chapters. Projects will be due Tuesdays Feb. 27 and Apr. 10 in class. The final exam is scheduled by the Registrar's Office.

TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE: (i) Attend lectures and tutorials faithfully; (ii) Take brief notes in lectures, and in tutorials if necessary; (iii) Read the assigned chapters in the textbook; (iv) If you have questions, come to office hours (Tuesday and Thursday 10:30-11:30), ask in class or tutorial, or email the instructor; (v) Study for quizzes; (vi) Complete any assignments carefully, correctly, and on time; (vii) Don't cheat! (viii) Take advantage of the resources in the Academic Skills Centre.

GOALS FOR 2006-2007:

You should keep these goals in mind as you read the textbook and review your lecture notes, and as you think about the course, and as you prepare for assignments, quizzes, and exams.

1. To understand and appreciate "the big picture" of the cosmos: the scale of size, distance, and time; the main classes of objects in the universe; and the universal laws and principles which govern the cosmos.
2. To become familiar with the basic concepts and terminology of astronomy, so you can continue to learn about astronomy from print and electronic media.
3. To understand how astronomers learn about the universe through observation, theory, and simulation. In general: to understand the processes of science, and their strengths and limitations.
4. To appreciate the role of astronomy in cultures, past and present, and to make a continuing place for astronomy in your own life and philosophy.
5. To acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the appearance and motions of the sky.
6. To share the excitement of contemplating and exploring the universe, in all its vastness, variety, and beauty.

If you have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to come and see me.

John R. Percy: Instructor (jpercy@utm.utoronto.ca)