Grading of the Labs
- How Grades Are Reported
- Observing Log (300 points)
- Telescope Practical (50 points)
- Constellations Practical (100 points)
- Attendance (50 points)
- Honor Code
How Grades are Reported
Lab grades are an integral part of your total grade for Astronomy 102. The lab does not appear as a separate grade on your transcript. For Astronomy 102 the lab will make up 25% of your course grade. However, no matter how well you do in the 75% of the class grade that accrues from the lecture portion of the course, you MUST pass the laboratory portion of the class in order to earn a passing grade.
Observing Log (300 points)
You will keep a log of all your observations during the semester. The log will contain your observations, notes, sketches, comments, calculations and answers to questions for various lab activities. The log will be collected and graded three times during the semester (100 points each). There are no lab reports to write.
Grading of the Observing Log
Observing logs will be graded three times during the semester (100 points each) and will be collected on the following dates:
- February 14, 2003 (returned the week of February 17)
- March 21, 2003 (returned the week of March 24)
- April 18, 2003 (returned the week of April 21)
Observing logs turned in late will be subject to a 10 point penalty per day. Graded logs will be returned in time for your lab on the week indicated for each due date.
Your grade will be based on the following criteria: amount of effort/time spent observing, care in recording "scientifically useful" observations, and the degree of difficulty of the observations reported. A steady improvement in your observing skills is expected during the semester. You will not be graded on whether you can make beautiful drawings. Sketches and drawings must be done with enough care to be a reasonably reliable record of what you see, however. Sloppy work gets low marks.
Telescope Practical (50 points)
One of the goals of the Astronomy 102 Laboratory is to learn to use a portable telescope. To ensure that each and every student can set up and use the laboratory telescopes, the lab includes a Telescope Practical Exam .
After a few weeks of using the telescopes, each student will be tested on how to set up and use a telescope. Each person will be tested individually so you cannot depend on your partner to always set up the telescope. Not all students necessarily will be tested on the same night. You may volunteer to be tested anytime after you feel ready. Unless we have a streak of very bad weather, all students should expect to be tested by the third week in which the telescopes are used.
If you do poorly enough on your practical, you will be asked to retake the practical once you have had more experience.
Telescopes must be handled with care. Lost/broken parts and damage to the telescopes due to carelessness will result in a 10 point penalty (per occurrence) to your the telescope practical exam grade. Both lab partners responsible for a telescope and its equipment will receive the penalty.
Constellations Practical (100 points)
The Tour of the Sky includes names of stars and constellations you should learn to identify, with the help of your TA, classmates and stardial (provided to you by us at the beginning of the semester). See, also, the list #1 in the Star Hopping lab for names of the brightest stars in the sky, and their constellations.
After, a few weeks of observing, each student will be asked to identify 10 constellations and five (5) stars by name. These tests will be done one-on-one by the TA, with students selected in a random order. Not all students will necessarily be tested on the same night. See the Naked Eye lab Constellation and Star Names for our recommendations on how to prepare for this practical.
Atendance (50 points)
You are expected to attend all scheduled labs for your section. This includes all clear night labs and possible indoor class meetings. With prior arrangement with your TAs, you can make up for missed labs on Thursday Open labs. Each unjustified absence will carry a 10 point penalty (with a maximum of 50). If you miss more than 3 labs during the semester, you will fail the lab. Attendance will be monitored with a sign up sheet at each lab. Don't forget to sign in!
You must attend lab on the night you are scheduled. Valid reasons for rescheduling are covered on the Attendance section of "How the labs work".
Honor Code
We expect you to converse with, share ideas and assist your partners and classmates during laboratory exercises, in learning to identify stars and constellations, and in carrying out labs in general. Most labs will be done with partners. However, use your own words in all assigments. Copying your partner's lab notes to any extent constitutes a case of plagiarism. Making up fake observations is definitely an infringement of the honor code. Be aware that several students have been caught reporting fake observations in the past. Be smart and do not jeopardize your academic standing to save yourself a bit of work.