Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
Space Exploration
PHYX 3010
University Studies Depth Course
L. Scherliess
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
PHYSICS 3010
SPACE EXPLORATION
Instructor:
Ludger Scherliess
Office:
SER 316
Availability Hours: Thursdays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tel:
797-7189
Fax:
797-2992
E-mail:
[email protected]
Classroom:
ENGR 203
Times:
Textbook:
TR 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
There is no textbook, the PowerPoint slides for each class
section will be accessible at the class website.
Additional material can be found in books and from professional
web sites such as http://nasa.gov and http://www.esa.int
Canvas
Class website:
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Accessing the slides on the web
Because the slides need to be password protected I will place
the Power Points on the
Canvas website
You need to log in to this site and should find the Phys3010
class site.
The PowerPoints are named
PP-xx-Fall16.ppt
If you have any trouble please let me know.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Space Exploration at USU
Mary Cleave
Don Lind
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Goals
The term “Space Exploration” will be used to
encompass exploration for fundamental knowledge,
commerce and defense.
Ø  In this course we will use the development of space exploration,
primarily of the near earth environment, as an example of the
effects of the interaction of science, technology, and society.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Goals
•
The decisions on which technologies are promoted are
governed by many other considerations than the science
behind them.
Ø  Wide-ranging political and economic considerations play a
major part in the advance of technology.
Ø  In turn the consequences of these political and economic
decisions have extensive social implications to the
population.
Ø  The feedback between the people and the political and the
economic powers operates in quite different ways leading to
the very complex interactions in our modern society.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Goals
In summary, the goals of the course are as follows:
1.  Become more aware of the technology behind space exploration,
manned and unmanned and for scientific, commercial or defense
uses of this technology.
2.  Understand the increasing effects of this technology on all our
lives, for both good and bad.
3.  Appreciate the roles of society to affect the direction and use of
new technologies. Be aware of ethical, environmental and legal
issues arising from our increasing use of space technology.
4.  Increase your skepticism and criticism of the claims made as
new technologies and new uses for existing technologies emerge
into the public arena.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Overview
There will be some quantitative reasoning included
(Math? – Not so much!!).
Please feel free to ask questions at any time, and I
encourage class discussion on any issues, which catch
your interest.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Overview
1)  Course and assignment format
2)  The space environment
•  First we will look at the environment in which much of the
space exploration has taken place.
•  Not a logical progression because a great deal of the
knowledge of this environment is a result of space exploration
3)  Getting into space
•  How do we escape Earth’s gravity
•  Rockets and orbits
4)  History of space exploration
5)  Science exploration
•  Gaining fundamental knowledge
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Overview
6)  Commercial exploration
•  Making money from space exploration
7)  Defense exploration
•  The space front for National defense
8)  Earth observation
•  Evolving technology supporting science, commerce and defense
9)  Space and nationalism
•  Focus on the important role of nationalism in developing space
exploration
10)  Present Status of space exploration
•  Where we are today
11)  Future exploration
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Tentative Course Timetable
TUESDAY
TUESDAY
30-Aug
06-Sep
THURSDAY
THURSDAY
TentativeQUIZ
QUIZtopic
topic
Tentative
Introduction
The Sun and the Space
Environment
Weather in Space and its
Effect on Space Exploration
The Near-Earth Space
Environment
The Sun and the Space
Environment
Course Format/Introduction
The Sun and the Space
Environment
The Sun and the Space
Environment
Weather in Space and its
Effect on Space Exploration
Quiz#1
The Near-Earth Space
Environment
Getting into Space
01-Sep
08-Sep
06-Oct
The Near-Earth Space
Environment
Getting into Space Quiz#2
11-Oct
18-Oct
25-Oct
Satellites and Space Junk
History of Space Exploration
Space Exploration and
Nationalism
13-Oct
20-Oct
27-Oct
History of Space Exploration
No class (Fall Break)
Science Exploration Quiz#3
01-Nov
08-Nov
15-Nov
Science Exploration
Earth Observation
Commerce Exploration
Quiz#4
03-Nov
10-Nov
17-Nov
Science Exploration
Earth Observation
Commerce Exploration
22-Nov
29-Nov
06-Dec
Defense Exploration
Present status
Future Exploration
Quiz#5
24-Nov
01-Dec
08-Dec
No class (Thanksgiving)
Present status
Future Exploration
13-Sep
20-Sep
27-Sep
04-Oct
15-Sep
22-Sep
29-Sep
Weather in Space and the NearEarth Space Environment
Getting into Space, Satellites,
Space Junk and a little bit of
History
History of Space Exploration
and Nationalism, Science
Exploration Commerce and
Defense Exploration
Present Status and Future
Exploration
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
5 Quizzes
§  The grades for all five of the quizzes will be
included in the final grade computation.
§  The quizzes will mostly include multiple-choice
questions on lecture material and occasional
supplementary material.
§  Quizzes may include a written part.
§  The multiple-choice part of the quizzes will be
computer-graded using scantrons.
§  You must supply your own 8 ½ x 11” scantrons.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
1st Assignment: Space Exploration and Your Major Field
of Study
•  Is there a connection between your field of study
and space exploration?
•  Project involves research and writing.
•  2 pages (single spaced).
•  This assignment is due on September 22, 2016.
•  More information will be provided later
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
2nd Assignment: News Article
•  Describe a current event in space exploration to
the public.
•  Project involves research and writing.
•  2 pages (single spaced)
•  This document must be handed in no later than
October 13, 2016.
•  More information will be provided later
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
3rd Assignment: Commentary
•  Informed criticism of a current event.
•  Project involves research and writing.
•  3 pages (single spaced)
•  This document must be handed in no later than
November 08, 2016.
•  More information will be provided later
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Final Project: Movie
•  Demonstrate, illustrate, describe a topic in space
exploration.
•  Project involves research, creativity, and making
a movie.
•  Movie length ~ 5 minutes
•  This document must be handed in no later than
December 1, 2016
•  More information will be provided later
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Course Grade Computation
5 quizzes
1st Project
2nd Project
3rd Project
Final Project
40%
15%
15%
15%
15%
A percentage score will be computed for each student and the letter
grade assigned according to the conversion table below:
Letter grade
% score
A A92 90
B+
88
B
82
B80
C+ C C- D+ D D78 72 70 68 62 60
The scores represent the lower bound for the adjacent letter grades.
For example a B grade will be given for all aggregate % scores,
weighted as described earlier, which fall between 82.0% and
87.9%. Marks below 60% will be graded F.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Administrative Items
•  Late Adds and Drops
–  For Fall 2016 semester, the last day to add a class is 19
September 2016. The University is enforcing late adds and
drops with more rigor than in the past and students will not be
able to continue to attend class if they are not officially
registered by that date.
–  For Fall 2016 semester, the last day to drop a class is 19
September 2016 to avoid notation on transcript.
Syllabus Physics 3010
Fall semester 2016
L. Scherliess
Disability Resource Center:
Students with ADA-Documented physical, sensory, emotional or
medical impairments may be eligible for reasonable
accommodations. Veterans may also be eligible for services. All
accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource
Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn. (435)797-2444
voice, (435)797-0740 TTY, (435)797-2444 VP, or toll free at
1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as
possible. Alternate format materials (Braille, large print or digital)
are available with advance notice. Honor Code
The honor code will be strictly enforced in this course. Any suspected
violations of the honor code will be promptly reported to the honor
system. For more information please visit: Academic Integrity