Grades, exams, homework, SRS

PHY 2048 - Fall 2006

Grades, Exams, Homework and Quizzes:

Grading Summary:
70% : In-class exams and final exam
22% : Homework
8% : Discussion Quizzes

You are guaranteed the following grades with the following percentage scores:
80% and above: A
65% and above: at least a B
50% and above: at least a C

“Plus” grades will be assigned at the higher end of each range, except for an A. We do not expect to make this scale any looser. Numerical scores will not be rounded. Please note that 64.9 < 65.

Grade of "Incomplete":
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires that a grade of "I" (Incomplete) may not be assigned unless all three of the following requirements are met: (1) The student and instructor have discussed the situation prior to the final exam. (2) The student has completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade. (3) The student is unable to complete course requirements because of documented circumstances beyond his or her control.

Exams:
The in-class exams and the final exam, together, count for 70% of your course grade. There are four in-class multiple-choice exams, with 13 questions each, on dates given in the Course Schedule. The in-class exams will be 50 minutes and cover approximately 4 chapters. The final exam is required, cumulative with 31 questions and must be taken on the date and time determined by the Registrar and given in the Course Schedule, exam group 1B, Dec 11th, 10.00 a.m.---the rooms will be announced. There will be no make-up exams.

The exam contribution to your final grade is the greater of EITHER the sum of your three highest in-class exams (maximum of 13 pts. each) and your final exam (maximum of 31 pts.) OR the sum of all four of the in-class exams and half of your final exam score.

If you miss one in-class exam then your exam contribution to your final grade is the sum of your three highest in-class exams (maximum of 13 pts. each) and your final exam (maximum of 31 pts.)

If you miss a second in-class exam, then that exam counts as a zero.

No calculators, laptops, cell-phones or other electronic devices are allowed to be used during any of the exams. We provide an appropriate “formula sheet” for each exam; this will be available at least a week before the exam. You must bring a picture ID, sharp number 2 pencils and an eraser. Paper is provided.

Homework:
The homework will count for 22% of your course grade. Each assigned homework problem is given equal weight.

Working the weekly problem set is the most effective way to learn physics. If you cannot solve the problems, then you do not understand the physics.

You are encouraged to work together on the homework assignments.

To receive credit for the assigned homework problems, you are to enter your answers on-line using the WebAssign homework system. Use the WebAssign link and follow the instructions there.

Your solutions must be completed and logged in by 9:00pm on the date given on the Course Schedule. If you run into problems using the system, it is your responsibility to get help (from one of the instructors) to resolve the issues in time to complete the assignment. The due date or time will not be extended. No excuses will be accepted. If you run out of time then you should have started sooner. The assigned problems are taken from the end of each chapter in the text. It is best for you to work out and understand the assigned problems before actually logging on to WebAssign to submit your answers. Your problems will differ slightly from a classmate's problems by the values of a parameter needed to obtain the solution.

Discussion Quizzes:
Most weeks, there will be a short quiz in the discussion section. There will be a total of 10 quizzes, and the best 8 will count. The 2 drops allow for absences due to illness etc. The total score for these will amount to 8 per cent of the total grade.