HOMEWORK AND TEXTBOOK
The first homework assignment will be due on April 5th. Homework will generally be posted well in advance.
Textbook: Explorations, An Introduction to Astronomy. Eighth Edition, Arny and Schneider.
We will use the Mc Graw Hill online Connect system for homework. You must purchase an access code to do the homework and get credit.
Some useful vocabulary regarding the online homework system:
– Mc Graw Hill: the publisher of the textbook
– Connect: the online homework system
– Smart Book: the online book and the system used for reading and learning assignments in Connect
You can either choose to get a physical copy of the book plus the CONNECT homework code, or just the online copy of the book and the CONNECT homework code. Your access to the electronic copy of the book expires after 180 days.
Your three options to get the book and the online homework code are:
1) Just access code (includes online book): most of you will probably opt for the online book.You can obtain your access code via CANVAS. To obtain your access, follow the instructions outlined in this PDF document. The cost is $87.50
2) Those with financial aid may need to purchase the online book and homework code at the book store. The ID for this is ISBN is 9781259664359. The cost is $97.50
3) Physical book+access code: at the book store you can also purchase a physical copy of the book which will also include a homework access code. There is a special, shorter (and less expensive) version of the 8th edition for UC Santa Cruz ordered through the bookstore. ISBN: 978-1-30-874997-6. The cost is $121.50.
Buying a second-hand book may end up being the most expensive option because in any case you need to obtain the online homework code.
You can register for Connect with “courtesy access” free for two weeks. I have asked the published to extend the courtesy access to the add/drop date.
This Courtesy Access lets you keep up with the work if you are shopping the course or haven’t sorted out whether you want to purchase the textbook bundle from the publisher or buy the electronic-only access. Your work is saved during the courtesy access period and you can carry it over in your account when you purchase Connect for the rest of the quarter. You must purchase Connect access before your Courtesy Access period expires to receive credit for your homework and reading assignments.
There will be two type of homework assignments:
1) SmartBook Reading assignments in Connect: one of the things you’ll use the electronic version of the book for is the reading assignments. You can read the paper book or the ebook, but to get credit you have to do the on-line questions in the electronic book. There is a button in the SmartBook assignments labeled “Practice” and you click that to get the questions. There is a progress bar across the bottom that lets you know how you are doing. To get full points for these assignments, you just need to complete the module (it doesn’t matter how many questions you got wrong along the way).
2) Problem sets: you will also have problem sets to work through. For these, getting the right answer does matter for the final score. You can ask for hints, and you can also ask for examples of how to solve similar problems. Don’t hesitate to use these options! Using them doesn’t count in the grade.
Online homework assignments using Connect: The first of the reading-based HW assignment (LearnSmart modules) is due on Fri Jan 12th at 9m. Reading assignments will in general be due the day of the lecture on this topic.
Help info for Connect: www.mhhe.com/support
If you are having trouble loading the Connect content in your browser, try the “Test my computer” link, and make sure you are not blocking pop-ups from the McGraw Hill address.
Phone number to get help from McGraw Hill: +1 800 331 5094
Keep track of your case number.
It is recommended to use the FIREFOX browser.
There will be homework assignments every week, including guided reading assignments through Connect, to help you learn the material. The goal of these reading assignments it for you to become familiar with the material before class. It has been shown that this will greatly help you assimilate and learn the material during the lecture.
You should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week reading the material in addition to the time required for the homework. You will find that the Connect web site contains a lot of additional resources to help you understand the information. Explore it!
Your grade on the homework assignments will be clear as you complete the homework. Each assignment will be worth a certain number of points. Your final homework grade will simply be the fraction of the points you have earned during the term relative to the total number possible.
Each homework assignment will be available until its posted due date. Once that date/time is passed, the assignment will be “closed” and your grade is automatically submitted to CANVAS. Answers to the problem sets will be made available one hour after the due date/time.
You will be able to review any homework assignment at any time during the term.
Some of the homework questions will also show up in the midterm and in the final exam.
Finally, there will also be a few topics/questions that we will answered specifically in class (but not covered in the book) that will also be in the mid-term and the exam. Hence, to get a good grade, please also attend lectures.