Course Syllabus

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Syllabus

LightScapes

CMP/ASTR 3850

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Instructional Team

Instructor:

Prof. Anil Seth

aseth@astro.utah.edu

 Pre-requisites:
Department: Physics & Astronomy Credit Hours: 3.0
Office: INSCC 330 Semester: Fall 2023
 Office Hours: 

3:30-4:30pm
in INSCC 330

Semester Calendar

 Schedule (preliminary, subject to change
Teaching Assistant: Rylee Babino

Course Description

This course will introduce you to the importance of dark skies and the impacts of artificial light at night.  We will start by looking at an overview of this interdisciplinary field. Then we will dive into light pollution measurements, understanding the sky, and the climate, human health, and ecological impacts.  We will also learn about the people and organizations focuses on light pollution and examine successful examples of advocacy for dark skies.  

We will spend our class time on a wide range of activities, including discussion, student presentations, lectures, guest speakers, and labs or activities.   Generally, class will run from 4:55pm-7:35pm (rather than our nominal start time of 4:35pm) and we will have a full 10 minute break, plus 1-2 shorter breaks during each class period.  The exceptions will be when we have a significant in class lab; then we will use all 3 hours.  The work in class will be balanced with homework and reading that will typically require 2-5 hours of time outside of class each week.  

Course learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to :

  • Be able to predict the sky motions of the sun, moon and stars.
  • Interpret sky brightness and lighting measurements from the ground and from space
  • Explain (and advocate for) the best practices in artificial lighting at night
  • Articulate the impact of poor lighting on ecology and human health
  • Understand the history of the complex light pollution issues we face presently
  • Connect with groups & organizations are working on improving our dark skies.
  • Calculate the climate impact and energy costs of lighting
  • Understand perceptive aspects of lighting installation that relates to safety
  • Connect with the night sky, and explore how this is an integral part of being human
  • Introspect on how this relationship with the sky impacts their self-perception

I would ask you to consider your personal learning goals for this course, and I hope to help you meet these goals. I intend for all students from all backgrounds and perspectives to have their learning needs addressed in this class. I intend for all materials to be presented in a way that is respectful of diversity in gender, disability, race, age, sexuality, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status. I appreciate and carefully consider any input and suggestions for improvement from all students. And, please, come see me if I can be of any help. I am committed to supporting you!

          --Anil

 

Capitol Reef Heritage StarFest Field Trip

We have a class field trip Sept. 27-29th to Capitol Reef National Park for the Heritage StarFest, a community and park celebration of dark skies.  There will be star parties both nights, and science talks in the park on Friday and community dark skies talks on Saturday in Torrey (including a talk by former dark sky student Athens Boyle).  I have booked the Capitol Reef Field StationLinks to an external site. for us during the weekend of the festival.  This costs $$ for each visitor (which is covered by a donor), so I'm going to need to get a head count by the second week of class.  You can come for one night (Friday or Saturday), or both nights.  This field trip is going to be awesome.  It is not 100% required, but is *very* strongly recommended (and alternative work will be required for those that don't attend).  

This syllabus is subject to change as the semester progresses. Students will be made aware of any notable changes through announcements on Canvas. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience that may be called upon throughout this semester.

Required Materials

There is no required text for this course, but I will assign readings throughout the semester that I will make available to you.

We will be using the course Canvas site as our primary hub for communication, assignment submission, and grade posting. I would encourage you to become familiar with Canvas if you are not already. The Canvas Getting Started Guide for Students is a good resource for this.

Communication

Preferred Contact Methods

The easiest way to contact me directly is to use my email: aseth@astro.utah.edu

You can also use canvas, but are less likely to get a timely response! 

 

Office Hours

TBD or by appointment (in-person in INSCC 330 or Zoom). The zoom link is:

 https://utah.zoom.us/j/94940226284

 

Anonymous Feedback

If you'd like to give me anonymous feedback about the course, please use this google form:
https://forms.gle/4DYq9Kg2NnVn4a6o6

 

 

Evaluation

Your performance in this course will be evaluated by:

Attendance & Participation (20%) -- contact me before class to excuse your absence; you can miss one class without penalty (but only with advanced notice).  

Weekly Assignments (65%)

Final Project (15%)

Late work will be accepted up to 1 week after the due date and will receive a 10% deduction in points.  Contact me before the deadline if you need an extension.

Note on using AI:  Almost all the writing in the course is designed to explore your personal reflections on the material, and in general using AI tools for responding to these questions is not permitted.  If you want to use AI for anything please LMK and be sure to cite that you've used it and what prompts you used to get the material. 

Course Policies

Grading

Grading for this course

Your final letter grade will be assigned based on the following breakdown:

Letter Scoring
A 100% - 93%
A- 92.9% - 90%
B+ 89.9%–87%
B 86.9%–83%
B- 82.9% - 80%
C+ 79.9%–77%
C 76.9%–73%
C- 72.9% - 70%
D+ 69.9%–67%
D 66.9%–63%
D- 62.9% - 60%
E 59.9%–0%

Accommodations

Life is complicated. If there is something in your life that is preventing or complicating your learning in this course, I am willing to work with you and make accommodations. Please don’t hesitate to come to me with any issues.

For official accommodations contact:

Center for Disability Services
801-581-5020
disability.utah.edu
162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

 

Changes to the Syllabus

This syllabus is not a contract. It is meant to serve as an outline and guide for your course. Please note that your instructor may modify it to accommodate the needs of your class.

You will be notified of any changes to the Syllabus.

University Policies

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities.

All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability & Access (CDA). CDA will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations.

In compliance with ADA requirements, some students may need to record course content. Any recordings of course content are for personal use only, should not be shared, and should never be made publicly available. In addition, recordings must be destroyed at the conclusion of the course.

If you will need accommodations in this class, or for more information about what support they provide, contact:

Center for Disability & Access

  801-581-5020
  disability.utah.eduLinks to an external site.
  162 Union Building
  200 S. Central Campus Dr.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Safety at the U

The University of Utah values the safety of all campus community members. You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via text message. For more safety information and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit safeu.utah.edu.

To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort, contact:

Campus Police & Department of Public Safety

  801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
  dps.utah.edu
  1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Addressing Sexual Misconduct

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a civil rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information.

If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to university officials: 

Title IX Coordinator & Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

  801-581-8365
  oeo.utah.edu
  135 Park Building
  201 Presidents' Cir.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Office of the Dean of Students

  801-581-7066
  deanofstudents.utah.edu
  270 Union Building
  200 S. Central Campus Dr.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

To file a police report, contact:

Campus Police & Department of Public Safety

  801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
  dps.utah.edu
  1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

If you do not feel comfortable reporting to authorities, the U's Victim-Survivor Advocates provide free, confidential, and trauma-informed support services to students, faculty, and staff who have experienced interpersonal violence.

To privately explore options and resources available to you with an advocate, contact:

Center for Student Wellness

  801-581-7776
  wellness.utah.edu
  328 Student Services Building
  201 S. 1460 E.
  Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Academic Misconduct

It is expected that students comply with University of Utah policies regarding academic honesty, including but not limited to refraining from cheating, plagiarizing, misrepresenting one’s work, and/or inappropriately collaborating. This includes the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools without citation, documentation, or authorization. Students are expected to adhere to the prescribed professional and ethical standards of the profession/discipline for which they are preparing. Any student who engages in academic dishonesty or who violates the professional and ethical standards for their profession/discipline may be subject to academic sanctions as per the University of Utah’s Student Code: Policy 6-410: Student Academic Performance, Academic Conduct, and Professional and Ethical Conduct.

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on an individual assignment, and/or failure in the course. Academic misconduct, according to the University of Utah Student Code:

“...Includes, but is not limited to, cheating, misrepresenting one’s work, inappropriately collaborating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification of information…It also includes facilitating academic misconduct by intentionally helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic misconduct.”

For details on plagiarism and other important course conduct issues, see the U's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due