Credit Hours:
4
Prerequisites:
None.
Lecture:
Mon/Wed 1:40 - 3:00 PM
Lecture Hall:
Brown Hall Room 265
Laboratory:
Wed 4 - 6 PM
Laboratory Room:
Brown Hall Room 264
Instructor:
Dr.
Beverly Smith
Email:
Office:
Brown Hall Room 273
Phone:
(423)-439-8418
Office Hours:
Monday 3 PM and Tuesday 3 PM or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this interdisciplinary course, we will utilize
the scientific method along with
aspects of astronomy, physics,
geology, paleontology, chemistry, biology, and engineering to investigate
the question of the existence of life elsewhere in the Universe.
We will discuss the structure, origin, and evolution
of the Universe as a whole,
particularly as it pertains to the possibility of life beyond the
Earth.
We will address
the possibility
of life on other planets and moons in our own solar system
in light of results from recent
interplanetary spacecraft, the
recent discoveries of extrasolar planets, the possibility
of advanced civilizations elsewhere in the Galaxy, and the
origin and evolution of life here on Earth. We will also
cover topics in interstellar
communication and spacecraft design.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Extraterrestrial Life
by Neal Evans
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR LABORATORY:
`Life in the Universe' Lab Manual; Star and Planet Locator; `Molecular
Visions' Molecule Model Kit; Simple Calculator (needs scientific
notation, but does not need to be programmable).
COURSE WEB SITE:
http://www.etsu.edu/physics/bsmith/spring06/life.html
LABORATORY:
There will be ten regularly-scheduled
laboratories throughout the semester, on a wide range
of related topics, from extrasolar planets to UFOs.
There will also be two optional take-home labs, which can be
used as either make-ups or as extra credit.
The laboratory is a required part of the course.
Laboratory reports will be required for these labs.
STUDENTS MUST DO AT LEAST 8 LABS TO PASS THIS COURSE!
QUIZZES AND THE FINAL:
There will be six short (15 - 20 minutes) quizzes during
the semester, as well as a final exam.
The quizzes will generally be given during the last 20 minutes
of class on the days listed on the
syllabus.
The final exam will be given on Monday May 1
at 1:20 PM.
There will
be NO
individual makeups for the quizzes.
The lowest two quiz grades
OR
your grade on the final will be dropped.
Instead, the final is, in a sense,
a general `makeup' for
everyone in the class. If you have taken all the quizzes,
you do not need to take the final exam. However, even if you
do take all the quizzes, I strongly urge you to take the final
exam anyway, unless you have an A average in the course.
The final exam grade can only help you; it will not hurt your grade.
If you do worse on the final than your two lowest quizzes, then
your grade on the final will not be included in calculating your
course grade.
GRADING
AND ASSIGNMENTS:
The laboratory grade is 25% of the final course grade,
with the quizzes/final making up the remaining 75%.
In addition, students are eligible for up to 3 extra credit points
for CLASS PARTICIPATION and
ATTENDANCE.
Your final letter grade will be determined from the following
percentage scale:
ANY QUESTIONS?
Send email to:
This web page will contain general information
about the course as well as reminder notices
and course announcements.
Percent
92 or more
90 to 92
87 to 90
83 to 87
80 to 83
77 to 80
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
Percent
72 to 77 68 to 72 65 to 68 60 to 65
less than 60
Grade
C C- D+ D F