PHY3063: HONORS MODERN PHYSICS

Academic Honesty

All UF students are required to abide by the University's Academic Honesty Guidelines and by the Honor Code, which reads as follows:

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."

Grading

During the course we will have three in-class examinations. There will be several in-class quizzes, and I will drop the lowest score for your final grade. Attendance at all exams and quizzes is expected.
  • In-Class Exams: 50%
  • Final Exam: 30%
  • In-Class Quizzes: 20%
The breakdown of the final course grade is as follows: A: 95-100% A-: 90-94% B+: 87-90% B: 83-86% B-: 80-82% C+: 77-80% C: 73-76% C-: 70-72% D+: 67-70% D: 63-66% D-: 60-62% Failure: Below 60%

Final grades are typically assigned based on a curved score. Curving is decided at the end of the semster. In all majors, getting below a C in this course requires you re-take it. Therefore, curving is determined as follows: I look at the raw scores of the entire class. If anyone is below a 73% (ie below a C) I look at their attendance and participation during class. If they do not truly deserve to retake the course then I calculate the number of points required to get them to the 73% level. The rest of the students are curved upward by the same amount of points. It is very rare that a student does not pass this course. Information on the point value assigned to grades is found here.

Please be assured that you will not have to wait until the end of the semester to determine how you are doing. As of the first exam, I let students who have the lowest scores know that they are in trouble. I continue to do this throughout the semester, to ensure that no one should be in the case where they are blindsided by a potential failing grade.

As the wonderful internet allows one to find a solution to any problem, homework will not be collected or graded. However, questions on the quizzes and exams will be based on the homework problems.

Makeup Quizzes and Exams

Only in the event of extremely extraordinary circumstances will students be allowed to make up a quiz or exam. Documentation from a medical doctor or attorney must be provided. Notes from your mother will not be accepted.

Incomplete Policy

A grade of incomplete is typically given to students who encounter a situation in which they are incapable of completing the coursework. The I-grade is not to be given to students who are simply dissatisfied with their performance in the course. If you find you are in a situation in which you may receive an I-grade in this course, then you must contact me immediately, and be sure to have the necessary documentation from a medical doctor or an attorney. Again, letters from family members are not acceptable. A letter of understanding indicating when and how the incomplete grade will be made up will be drafted and signed by the student and the instructor.

Accommodations

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, Link) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.