1) Much of the information needed for the course will be posted on Prometheus. The Files Section of the Prometheus AstroCAPA site has CAPA related documents, solutions to CAPA quizzes, the schedule for Telescope Observing sessions, Free Friday Astro Shows and other information related to the Astronomy 1 course. It will also provide a forum for students to exchange information, viz., the Discussion Section.

2) If you do not have an account on Prometheus, you need to create one and can do so as follows: Using any Web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, go to the following location (URL): http://gwu.prometheus.com/gwu/index.cfm. Click on "Create New Student Account" and follow the instructions. Once you have an account, log into Course # 48840 and use the password capasolutions.

3) In order to read files posted on Prometheus or on my home page related to the lectures or reviews of lectures, you need to be able to read PowerPoint files, as that is the language in which those files are written. MicroSoft "Office" comes with three "standard" items: Excel, Word and PowerPoint. It is my understanding that the University will provide readers (i.e. read only) versions of each of these. If not in the basement of the Gelman Library, there is also a "student computer-related help room" in the basement of the Academic Center. I would suggest that you go there.

4) If you have problems of any kind with CAPA, please contact Prof. Skelton. His email address is skelton@nrl.navy.mil.

5) Prof. Peverley will be using Prometheus to communicate about observing session, so it is no longer necessary for students to contact him to get on his email list.

6) Labs will start the week beginning Monday, September 9th. Students should bring with them the lab manual (which can be obained at the bookstore), a pencil and a calculator. You must go to the lab in which you are registered; lab instructors will not admit anyone who is not on the class list. GWeb is the place to adjust schedules. If the section you want is closed now, it may open up in a day or two, or even an hour or a minute as people adjust their schedules. You should also check Prometheus to locate students with whom you might be able to switch labs. If you have further problems or questions related to labs, see Prof. Peverley: Room: Samson 302, email: peverley@gwu.edu, tel: 994-6482.

7) The course will have exams, CAPA problems and Respondex quizzes. The exams will be multiple choice. There will be three exams, each covering the material discussed since the last exam. At the time of the final, there will be the third exam and a makeup exam. Everyone is free to take the makeup exam if they wish, but you don't have to take it if you don't want to. The makeup exam will be on material covered during the first two exams. If you do better on the makeup than on either of the first two exams, it will replace the lowest grade of the first two exams. Obviously, if you have missed one of the first two exams, it will count for that missed exam. Exam questions will not necessarily be like CAPA problems. CAPA problems are meant to be different, and to give practice in doing numerical calculations.

8) It is your responsibility to look at the dates and times of the exams and adjust your schedules accordingly. If your schedule or any other reason causes you to miss an exam, then you should take the makeup exam at the time of the final at the end of the semester.

9) Everyone can get a GW email and it is easy. Instructions for getting a GWemail are handed out in class with the syllabus. After registration is closed I will respond to emails with a gwu.edu address.

10) Please note that the GW Bulletin lists high school algebra as a prerequisite for the course. If you haven't had high school algebra or don't feel that you are up to dealing with that level of math, please see me before registration closes.

11) Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm and by appointment.

Basis for Grade: Your Final Course Grade (FCG) is based on your performance on six grading elements: (1-3) Three in-class exams as scheduled on the Semester Agenda (4) Respondex concept questions given in class; (5) ten weekly AstroCAPA Sets; (6) twelve weekly laboratory experiments. The weighting of each of these six elements in determining your FCG is as follows:

Respondex: Respondex is an interactive teaching tool that, it is hoped, will make coming to class both educational and entertaining. All lectures are given using PowerPoint and Respondex. Incorporated into each lecture will be Respondex questions, some just for learning or polling and some as concept test questions. Every response to a Respondex question earns one point; every correct response to a Respondex test question earns additional 2 points.

Method for Computing Respondex Grade: At the end of the semester, the maximum possible number of Respondex points that could be earned by attending every lecture and responding to every Respondex test question correctly is set equal to 100; the average number of Respondex points earned in class is set equal to 75.00, a middle "C"; the equation corresponding to the line defined by those two points is used to convert Respondex points to a Respondex Grade. There will be many opportunities throughout the semester to earn Extra Respondex points by participating in out-of-class activities, such a telescopic observing sessions, video showings, activities at the National Air and Space Museum, and other course related activities. All Extra Respondex points are added to the in-class Respondex points.  Based on this method, it is possible to earn a Respondex Grade in excess of 100.