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. Homework must be done in a bound notebook and brought to class on the homework due dates. The homework notebook will be collected at mid-term and at the end of the semester. Home work assignments assigned but not in the notebook when the notebook is collected may be given the grade of 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.