Class Policies : The "Important" Stuff
Grading in this course will be based on the following criteria:
- Homework assignments: (40%) Roughly each week you will be responsible for turning homework based on your individual work. It is OK to check with the instructor or each other to see if there is agreement, but it is not OK to expect someone else to solve the assignment for you. Furthermore, if you work with someone, you must state clearly on your homework who you worked with. You are expected to turn in your homework (into Prof. Cabanela’s hands) on time. Unexcused late homework will not be considered for grading. Prof. Cabanela is the sole arbiter of what makes a homework excusably late.
- Journal Articles: (20%) Roughly every two weeks there will be a journal article listed on the homework. You will have to read that journal article and bring in 2 questions that you answered either within the journal article or by some external research. The questions should be harder than "how do you spell galactic", but easier than a full research project. I expect about a 1-2 page write up for each of these.
- In Class Activities: (5%) I will try to provide some in class activities during some of the lectures in order to provide something more entertaining than my voice. Participation in this activities will be rewarded.
- Exams: (35%) There will be two exams (separate from any in-class quizzes) during the semester. Study Guides showing the list of topics covered or each exam will be provided.
Final grades will be assigned on the scale below; plusses and
minuses will be used. I reserve the right to adjust the grade
curve if necessary.
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
≥90% |
80%-90% |
65%-80% |
50%-65% |
<50% |
Academic Honesty
From the Student handbook (online):
The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. In academic work, students are expected to present original ideas and give credit for the ideas of others. The value of a college degree depends on the integrity of the work completed by the student. When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, the following actions may be taken: assign a failing grade for the course in which the student cheated or instructors may choose to report the offense, the evidence, and their action to the Dean of their college or the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor (or any other person) feels the seriousness of the offense warrants additional action, the incident may be reported to the Student Conduct Committee through the Student Support Services Office. The Student Conduct Committee will follow procedures set out in the Student Conduct Code. After its review of the case and a fair, unbiased hearing, the Student Conduct Committee may take disciplinary action if the student is found responsible (see Student Conduct Code for details).
A student who has a course grade reduced by an instructor because of cheating or plagiarism, and who disputes the instructor’s finding, may appeal the grade, but only by using the Grade Appeal Policy, which states that the student must prove the grade was arbitrary, prejudicial, or in error.
In this course, all instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of the College of Social and Natural Sciences for informational purposes. Any academic dishonesty believed to be intentional will result in a failing grade for the entire course.
Special Accommodations
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disabilities Services, at 477-2652 (phone) or 477-2047 (TTY), CMU 222, as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.