Religious Observance: Religiously observant students wishing to be
absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors
in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in
advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.
(See University Policy No. 1.9.)
Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities: Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work.
(See 2018-2019 University Undergraduate Catalogue)
Cell Phones: A cell phone sounding off creates an immediate interruption
and distraction of the class, so all cell phones will be turned OFF at the
beginning of class. If your cell phone rings during class, you will be
counted as absent for the day. If your phone rings and you answer it, you
will be penalized one grade point at the end of the semester.
The rule for cell phones is: Off and out of sight.
Exams: There are three regular tests/exams during the semester.
Their dates are listed in the course schedule.
There is no immediate make-up for a missed exam. If you must miss one
for a university-sponsored activity, bring a letter from the sponsor
or sponsoring organization and some arrangement can be made. Do this
before the event. The sponsors will normally have such letters.
Final Exams: Final course examinations shall be given in all courses where they are appropriate, and some form of final assessment is essential. Final exams or final assessments must be administered as specified in the official examination schedule, and shall not be administered during the last week of classes or during the Reading Period. Please state clearly in the syllabus the date/time and form of the final exam or assessment.
Make-up Exams: The make-up test (Test #4) is optional. If taken,
the lowest of the 4 test scores will be dropped. This test must be
taken if you have missed any of the other 3 tests, as make-ups for the
individual tests are not given. Test #4 covers the whole course
in the same way as the final exam will but is shorter so it will fit in
one class period. If you are not happy with your average for the first
three tests, test #4 is a no-lose proposition. If you take it and
score lower than on the other tests, the score on #4 is dropped and you
lose nothing. You at least get the practice for the final. If your score
on #4 is better than your lowest regular test score, that lowest score is
dropped.
No make-up will be given for the final exam.
Homework: Homework assignments will be problem sets in pdf form
available on the class website in the term schedule. It is your responsibility
to obtain a copy. The due date is normally the next class period (not including labs)
and is shown in the schedule. Early submission is fine.
Homework sets will be graded and returned as fast as possible. Assignments
received late, between the due date and the return date, will be devalued 50%.
Late assignments will not be accepted after the set has been graded and
returned.
Observing: We will go out to the observatory and use the telescopes
at least once (if possible) during the semester. These sessions are
obviously dependent on the weather, so their times will be announced in class.
Observing session times are usually just after dark. Be sure that you do get
to an observing session as soon as possible; potential cloudy weather makes
putting it off rather risky. NOTE: Bring an observing data page to the observing
session - you will need it to record
your observations. All observing exercises are to be turned in at the
observatory, before you leave.
Grading:
Tests 10% each (3 grades)
Labs 30%
Homework/observing 15%
Final 25%
Other things: If you have any problems or learning difficulties
that might affect your work in this course, please contact the instructor
as soon as possible.