The Rules
Rule #0: No food or drink is allowed in this room. Phones, Blackberries, iPods and the like are to be turned off. Computers are to be used only with my permission.
Rule #1: The grading scheme: several midterm evaluations (quizzes and tests) 48%; final exam 32%; lab & homework 20%. I reserve the right to change the grading structure. Although no separate grade is assigned to the lab component of the course, you must have a passing grade in the labs in order to pass the course as a whole. The final exam will be in the class’s assigned final slot (Monday, Dec. 14 at 10:10), and it will look a lot like the mid-term exams, except longer. There are no special projects, and there is no way to improve a grade.
Rule #2: All quizzes and exams should be considered comprehensive.
Rule #3: Homework will be handled electronically through “Mastering Astronomy”; the current plan is to do three or four homework problems due every class, usually. The exams will prove extremely formidable to students who have not done the homework. Difficult problems may be worked out in class. Solutions will probably be posted in a display case outside my office.
Rule #4: You are expected to attend every meeting of this course, although attendance itself does not figure into your grade. Take notice: sometimes I discuss topics not included in the text. Because the Registrar likes to know these things, attendance will be taken every class for the first few weeks and again beginning around Week 9, in addition to other random samplings. If you know that you are going to miss an exam or lab, please let me know at least a day or two in advance. Be forewarned: a make-up test is likely to be more difficult than the regular test.
Rule #5: No cheating. Please read the appropriate documents on academic honesty and plagiarism; you may find this link useful: . An honest low grade is better than a dishonest high one. I may require on tests that you write out the following: “I neither gave nor received aid.” As homework isn’t graded (at least initially), plagiarism doesn’t apply, except to say that, should you choose to work in a group, don’t carry someone and don’t allow yourself to be carried. The exams will be very challenging to a student who hasn’t understood the homework. The situation with labs is more complicated. Usually all lab partners would have the same data; however, each student should perform the analysis and write-up individually.
Rule #6: There is NO Rule 6!
Rule #7: Email communication will be through your FSC accounts. If you email me on or after Friday afternoon, do not expect a prompt answer. Also check out the class pages on Blackboard on a regular basis.
Rule #8: Until you have your degree in your hand do not throw anything away; stick it in a folder, stick it in a box, put it in a pile in your room, but do not throw anything away.
Rule #9: If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing on time, even if badly…but don’t do it badly! Late material without written permission from me will penalized one whole grade for each week of tardiness. Other humiliations may be meted out, as well.
Rule #10: I treat my students as responsible persons, which means it is your responsibility to learn the astronomy, no matter how awful you think I am as a teacher or the book as a text. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to learn the ideas and master the skills introduced here, turning in all work in a timely fashion, whether you’ve attended a particular meeting or not. It is my responsibility to guide you through your learning, i.e., I create situations in which you can teach yourself.
