Your course grade will be determined from a combination of your performance in exams, homework assignments, and short in-class quizzes (aka "concept tests"). In addition, there will be an optional night sky observing session on campus or nearby.

EXAMS: The two mid-term exams and the final will consist of multiple-choice questions. Make-up exams will be essay-type questions and will only be allowed for serious emergencies (generally requiring a doctor's note). Each mid-term will account for 20% of the final grade and the final, which will be cumulative, will account for 30%.
Write down the dates and times of the exams and don't miss them!
Midterm 1: March 8th (in class)
Midterm 2: April 14th (in class)
Final exam: May 10th, 9:45-11:45am
All exams are in the classroom, WAT 112.
HOMEWORK: You will be given 10 assignments to be done outside of class time. These will be web-based quizzes and tutorials from the Astronomy Place website and requires registration. Note that the Class ID is cm357417. The overall fraction toward the final grade is 15%.
CONCEPT TESTS: At least 10 short quizzes will be given during at some point during the lectures. These will be done in small groups to promote discussion and are designed to test your understanding of the various concepts introduced throughout the course. As with the homeworks, the first five concept tests that you do will be worth 1% each, and subsequent tests will be worth 2% each, with an overall fraction toward the final grade of 15%. Because there may be more than 10 quizzes, however, there is the possibility of obtaining extra credit above this.
OBSERVING: There will be an opportunity to view the night sky using one of the department's portable telescopes either on campus or nearby during the semester. Attendance at one of these observing sessions is optional but will count as 3% extra credit toward your final grade. The date of the observing session(s) will be given during the lectures and announced here shortly.

**Summary**
Two midterms	2 x 20%
Cumulative Final	30%
Homeworks	15%
In-class concept tests	15% (+ extra credit)
Observing	3% (optional)

The grading scale

I cannot give a precise cutoff for the grades at this point but I will curve it so that, approximately, the top 20% of the class get an A and the top half of the class get a B or better. I expect that fewer than 10% will do worse than a D. Generally, those who show some committment to learning and thinking about the material will do well. Don't use this as an excuse to coast by though - in fact these entry level courses are a great way to boost your GPA!

Study tips

There is a lot of material in this course but the emphasis will be on concepts rather than facts. That is, it will require more thinking than rote learning. Generally, that is not something that you can cram for the night before an exam but something you build up gradually through attendance - and attentiveness - at lectures. Make notes in your book during class and review them afterwards when you can. Ask questions! You (or someone) has paid a lot of money to be here - make sure you make the most of it by going to the lectures, and talking to me either in class or during office hours.

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