Final Grade Determination

Your final grade (100 points max) is the sum of the following:

Exams: There are two exams, worth a total of 25 points.

Homework: A number of assignments will be given, with each assignment typically being due 1 week from the time it was issued, though some will be shorter. Homework is due by 3:00PM on the due date. Deductions for late homework are as follows: 25% (1 day), 50% (2 days), 75% (3 days), 100% (4 days). Some bonus questions will also be assigned, allowing you to get extra points.

Research project: The research project takes the place of a final exam and is due the Saturday after the final day of classes. Each student will present his/her research project during the last week of classes. I believe very strongly in the teaching power of semester research projects and have found that students get tremendous rewards in pursuing a significant project over a period of time. Projects will be graded on content (65%), class presentation (15%), and appearance/grammar/spelling (20%).

I can give you a Word template to use for the project, if you wish. The writeup must use the following formatting features:

• Use Word, OpenOffice, Mac Pages or LaTex
• Margins of 1" on all sides, top and bottom
• Text should have 1.5 spacing and there should be 6pt spacing between each paragraph.
• Pages in the description must be numbered starting at 1. You don't need page numbers anywhere else.
• The main font must be similar to Times or Times New Roman 12pt, Garamond 12pt,or Calibiri 12pt. Other fonts must be cleared with me. Headings should not be larger than 14pt for main heading and 12pt for subheadings.

The project consists of (in order):

1. A cover page with the project title, your name, the name of the class and the semester and year. You can also add a picture or diagram for added effect.
2. An abstract consisting of approximately1/2 page (~ 2 paragraphs) summarizing the project.
3. A Table of Contents listing the major parts of the research project.
4. The project description (minimum 15 pages).
5. Bibliography with at least four references, two of which should not be internet sites.

Please follow the following rules and timeline for the project:

• The project subject should be picked out and turned in to me by Friday, Sep. 20. Ideas should be cleared with me first so that I can offer suggestions and ensure they are doable.
  
• A project outline, including title page, abstract, table of contents and bibliography should be completed by Friday, Oct. 11. This means everything except the actual project description.
  
• The complete research project (both hardcopy and pdf file) is due Thursday, Dec. 5. You may show me a version of it ahead of time to get early feedback.

Letter grade: Total minimal scores (out of 100 points) ensuring a particular letter-grade are shown below.