Grades, Essay & Exam Format, Class Policies, Academic Honor Code

Grades in Invertebrate Paleontology

Students are expected to attend class, do the reading, consult the web site and take all exams.  Grading in this course is based on the following distribution:

Lab = 25% (see Lab syllabus & grading for details),
2 Essays (15% ea.)= 30%,
1 Midterm (15%),
Topics, Outlines, Drafts (10%)

Final Exam= 20%,
TOTAL =100%

Midterm and Final Exam Format

Exams will consist of definitions, short answer (couple of sentences), and essay answer (1 page response) style questions.  Exams will be closed-book, and closed-notes. Interpretation of maps, graphs, and diagrams will be expected.  Cell phones and all electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during exams.  

Essays

Two Essays, length 5-6 pages each, not including references & figures will be assigned as part of the grade in this writing-intensive course.  Late submissions of each writing stage will not be accepted without a note from Health Services or Physician, or absence due to a scheduled event through membership of a sports team or other University organization, (with prior notification).  If you are having a crisis and cannot keep on schedule, be sure to come see me.

Attendance

It is the responsibility of the student to attend class regularly.  Students are responsible for all topics covered in the class.

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/accident, death in the family, off-campus teaching assignment (for MAT and Education Majors) or military or official athletic commitments.  If you are involved in the military or official athletic activities, or have an off-campus teaching assignment, 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. 

Important note regarding missed exams:  If you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor by office 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.

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”.  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class.  Kent State University has strict policies and proceures (see secion 3342-3-07 of the University Policy Register) for dealing with student cheating and plagiarism.  Please become familiar with these policies and procedures, as they will be followed and enforced to the maximum extent by the instructor of this course. 

     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 underserved credit.  It is the University’s policy that cheating or plagiarism will result in receiving a failing grade for the work or the course.  Repeat offenses can result in dismissal from the University.