19 May 2015

Welcome to CFB 3333: The Scientific Method!

This note lists some critical information and web addresses that you
will need.  In particular, the first day of class is Monday 24 August.
You MUST attend this class.  We know that it's tempting to skip the
first day, enjoy the three-day weekend, and then show up for the first
time on Wednesday 26 August.  Don't.


Website:
---------------

Everything you need to know for the course is available from our website:

http://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/


Syllabus:
---------------

The syllabus lists all the reading, due dates, homework, etc. 
PLEASE READ IT. It will also list the lecture topics as we proceed forward.

http://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/syllabus.html


Reading/Books:
---------------

Get the books BEFORE the first class.  There are three.  We will use
Browne and Keeley first, then Sagan, and finally Battersby.  There is
a chance that the campus bookstore will run out of stock; if so, we 
suggest that you use an online bookseller like amazon.com.


Attendance Policy
---------------

Read it, memorize it, live it:

http://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/attendance.html

You get ___6___ unexcused absences (burn them as you see fit, but DO
NOT burn the majority of them before mid-term or you will be in
danger).  On the 7th unexcused absence, your final grade in the course
drops automatically by a letter grade (if you were going to get an A,
the best you can now do is a B).  On the 8th absence, your final grade
drops by 2 letter grades.  This continues with each additional
unexcused absence.  Keep track of your absences.  We're serious.


Office Hours, etc.
------------------

All other course information is available from the website, 
including the office hours for Profs. Cotton and Fisher.  Please take 
advantage of these office hours! It's a chance for us to get to 
know you and have a one-on-one discourse about course material, 
writing research papers, etc. Our observation has always been that 
students who talk to us during office hours do better than those who 
never make the time. If you have a conflict with all of our office hours, 
you need to tell us so we know to try to meet with you at other times.


Regards,
--Professor Cotton