Grading Policy and Academic Honor Code

Oceanography Section 1 - Spring 2009

Students are expected to attend class, do the reading, consult the web site and take all exams.  Students are also expected to respect each other's time and effort by arriving and departing on schedule, by turning off cell phones/electronic devices during class, and by not socializing during the class period.
 
Grades are based on:
 
Midterm Exams (best 2 of 3 exams) 30% each

60%
In-Class Exercises-80% of the total number offered will be used

 5%
Final Exam

35%
Total

100%
 

Exams:  Each exam will consist of multiple choice questions (except for late arrivals and make-up exams, which are Essay Format) and will involve the use of maps, diagrams, and graphs.  Midterms will give students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of topics covered in the weeks prior to each exam; these exams are non-cumulative.  The final exam will be cumulative.  About 60% of the final exam will cover material covered since the last midterm, and 40% will emphasize major concepts from earlier parts of the course. Cell phones and all electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during exams.  

Exam scores may be curved, at the discretion of the instructor, but each student has the potential to succeed in this course.  When grades are available, they will be posted using WebCT/VISTA.  Click here to access your grades online.  Exams will also be passed back and discussed during class to help students prepare for the final.

Exam Make-ups:  Students who miss an exam must provide a written excuse in order to receive a make-up test.  Legitimate excuses include written documentation for the following:  your own illness, a death in the family, or military or official athletic commitments.  If you are involved in the military or official athletic activities, review the exam schedule and consult with the instructor prior to the examination date if you have a conflict.  If an illness, personal crisis or family tragedy will affect your ability to take a scheduled exam, consult with the instructor at once. All Make-Up Exams are Essay Format.

Important note regarding missed exams:  If you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor by phone or email no later than 48 hours after the scheduled start time of the exam.  You must provide your full name, email address and a telephone number where you can be reached in your phone or email message. The privilege of submitting a make-up may be forfeited if these instructions are not strictly followed.

In-Class Exercises-Exercises will be provided throughout the semester which will count towards five per cent of your final grade.  Eighty percent of these exercises will count towards your grade (e.g., if 10 in-class exercises are offered, any 8 that you complete will count towards your grade).  There will be no make-ups for these in-class exercises.

Academic Honor Code:  All students in the course are expected to abide by the academic honor code, as specified in the University's "Digest of Rules and Regulations."  The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense.  This includes misrepresenting the source, nature or other conditions of your academic work to get undeserved credit.  It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism will result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course.  Repeat offenses can result in dismissal from the University.

 

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