How Our World Works

Grading

Point Distribution

• Exams = 50%
  
• Homework = 15%
  
• Participation = 10%
• Lab = 25%

Exams (3 midterm tests plus Final) - 50%

The value of your final exam will be reduced by taking tests and doing homework.  There will be three mid-term tests, worth 10% each.  Because of the number of students in the class, a significant part of the tests will be multiple choice, true/false, or very short answer.  During the tests, you are allowed to use a calculator.  Cell phone calculators are not allowed.  There will be no make-up tests!  Not for any reason.  If you miss a test, that just means your final exam will be worth a greater percentage of your grade.  The higher your score on the tests, the less your final exam will be worth.  (However, it will never be worth zero points.)

Homework - 15%

There will be homework assignments dues every week.  Homework problems are listed here.  You must obey the following guidelines on all assignments, or potentially lose points.  These guidelines also apply to lab assignments:

• Write your name (including last name) on your papers.
• Write your lab section (e.g. Mon 2:30) on your papers next to your name.
• Staple all papers in a given assignment together.
• Make sure there are no spiral notebook fringes on your papers.
• Use a black or blue pen or pencil.  Some assignments require a pencil for sketches, so use one.

Class Participation, Quizzes, and Instructor TBD (folders and clickers) - 10%

There will be regular questions for you to answer using the iclicker remotes.  Most of these will be for discussion only (e.g. Do you think there is intelligent life out there?), but some will be to test your knowledge (e.g. How long does light take to get to the Earth from the Sun?)  The knowledge questions will typically be over the assigned reading for the day, but may sometimes cover concepts from the lecture.  Part of the purpose of these quizzes will be to verify that you are showing up to the lectures.  The secondary purpose will be to see if you have done the reading.  My plan for the grades is to split the percentage equally between participation and knowledge.  Since I know that everyone won't make it to every class, I will give everyone several "free passes" on the clicker attendance portion of the grade.  If you answer fewer than 50% of the clicker questions, you will not receive any participation points.  Special arrangements can be made for certain school-related function absences.  No special arrangements will be made for powder days.

Labs - 25%

Overall, the lab work will make up 25% of your grade.  However, the grades are tied together as follows.  You must be passing both the lab class and the lecture class to receive a passing grade in the class!  So, no lab slackers are allowed.  

The Curve

I will make my tests hard enough to challenge the best students, and therefore typically curve the test grades.  All curves will be up, but not down.  Final grades might be on a curve.  Grading scale is as follows: A>92%, A->90%, B+>88%, B>82%, C+>78%, C>72%, C->70%, D>60% (I may or may not include the + or - on the grades if I think it is appropriate for a particular student.)  If everyone scores greater than 92%, then everyone will get at least an "A".

Final Note - disclaimer

The instructor reserves the right to change the class schedule, policies, and grade distributions, either for individual cases, or the class as a whole, if it is determined to be appropriate for the students, the professor, or both.  See: Additional information