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Evaluation & Expectations
Evaluation, and all other, policies will be subjected to
continuous review and possible revision throughout the course.
However, barring a catastrophic event (e.g. a giant comet striking
the earth), final course grades will be determined largely by three
in-class tests, and a comprehensive final exam. The allocation is
as follows:
- 60% = Average of three 45-minute tests, including a
comprehensive mid-term exam
- 30% = Final exam (comprehensive final exam at date and time
scheduled by the Registrar's office)
- 10% = Miscellaneous (instructor's judgment of items such as
perceived effort and enthusiasm)
Grading Option: If you complete the optional Stargazing
Project the grade earned will substitute for your lowest
45-minute test score. To take advantage of this option, you will
need a clear evening schedule. You probably won't be able to pursue
this option if you take evening classes.
A few quizzes may be given during the semester.
Final numerical grades will be converted into letter grades with
the scale A = 90 and above, B = 80 - 89, and so forth. The "+" or
"-" symbols for letter grades will be used little, if at all.
No special curves or quotas will be applied to final grades.
- Good News: Each student can strive for the highest mark. That's
right, everyone in the class can earn an
A! Aim high!
- Bad News: Everyone in the class can earn an
F! -- Neither of these extremes is likely.
All tests/quizzes will be announced at least two days in advance,
and will be closed-book and in-class. The use of calculators will
be permitted, but you will not be allowed to share
a calculator with another student.
Outside assignments will be made many times during the semester.
The purpose of such work is to reinforce the ideas met in the
lectures and readings. A record of all such work should be placed
in a course notebook, which you can hand in at the end of the
course.
Instructor's Idiosyncracies: Attendance is expected at
every class meeting. Register your attendance on the sign-in sheet
which will be circulated. Two absences are allowed without penalty.
Your final grade will be lowered 1 percent for every
absence beyond two, without exception. Note also that no
distinction is made between "excused" and "unexcused" absences.
These same policies apply to tardiness. Tardiness
will be penalized as it is disruptive and discourteous.
Save your two cuts/tardies until you need them for
trips, illness, or emergencies!
Similarly, if you have a private conversation to conduct, please
do it outside of class hours. If you are caught cheating in any way
you will be given a grade of "F" for the course.
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