Tests: There will be four one-hour tests, as indicated on the schedule, and a comprehensive final exam. Each student will be allowed to take one retake test a semester to remove a particularly bad grade.
Homework and Quizzes:
Doing your own homework is the best way to learn the
material!
The homework will be graded, and quizzes, based on the
homework problems and material discussed in class, will be given throughout the
semester. There will be quizzes approximately once a week each Friday (see schedule), but
the lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.
It is strongly recommended that the student attempt all the homework problems and see me in my office or at guided study if they do not understand the assignment.
Students are authorized to work together on the homework, but they cannot copy another person's homework. Late homework will be accepted, but 1 point a day will be deducted (up to 5 points out of 10 possible). Homework handed in after 5 days will be given a maximum grade of 5. Home work not handed in will count as a zero.
Grading:
4 Tests 60%
Quizzes 10%
HW 10%
Final 20%
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Total 100% of lecture grade
Lab participation and lab reports will be graded. One must have a passing grade in the lab in order to pass the course. If you have a passing grade, then the lab grade will count as 20% of the total grade for the semester. The lecture grade will count as 80% of the total grade for the semester. The grade for the year is the average of the two semester grades.
The grading scale for the total semester grade is usually close to a 10 pt scale with the average of the class usually near 75%. Thus the scale will be 100-90 for an A, 89-80 for a B, 79-70 for a C, and below 69 is a D. D is considered a failing grade at LSMSA.
Attendance:
Attendance at the lecture and the labs is mandatory.
The student is referred to the student handbook, pp. 20-23. In this class, three
tardies will equal one absence. Also, since lab is part of the class, an absence
from laboratory is combined with the absences from lecture when computing total
absences per semester.
Honor Code:
All students will be held to the honor code and must
sign the honor code to their tests. The student is referred to the student
handbook, pp. 1-2.