Physics of the Sphere SCIE 110 Aula da Esfera

Semester: Spring 2024

Course Instructor: Ali Serpengüzel | SCI 119

Lectures:  Tuesday / Thursday 1430 | SOS B07

Coordinator: Nazmi Yılmaz | SCI 136

Librarian: Ebru Çınar | LIB 222

Textbook: Foundations of Astronomy, Michael A. Seeds and Dana E. Backman, 13th Edition, Cengage Learning (2017).

Contents: Introduction, sky, astronomy, gravity, light, atoms, spectra, sun, solar systema, earth, moon, mercury, mars, venus, jupiter, saturn, uranus, neptune.

Description: spherical geometry with applications in navigation and communication instruments; geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, celestial sphere; sailing and flight; spherical coordinates, spherical harmonics, spatial and temporal measurements.

Objective: to teach spherical geometry, its applications in navigation and communication instruments, and our planet the earth such as the geosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, as well as the celestial sphere with navigation, sailing and flight. An introduction is given to spherical coordinates, as well as spatial and temporal measurements and parameters.

Outcomes: The students are expected to know, where they are, basically the planet Earth, as well as their orientation on the planet and how to get from one point to another in space and time. They will learn the properties of earth, moon, mars, and venus in special, and the solar systema and the universe in general.

Method: There are two weekly face to face meetings. There are presentations and demonstrations.

Attendance: All students are required to attend classes, laboratory experiments, and problem sessions. Even a university approved Medical Excused Absence or Dean of Student’s Excused Absence doesn’t relieve you of this attendance requirement.

Grading: Two midterm exams (25 % each), and a final exam (50%). The dates of the exams will be announced later. Makeup exams are very reluctantly given only with a university approved medical excuse. Do not plan to take makeups

Conduct: Students should be familiar with the Koç University Student Code of Contact.