Attendance at the class is highly recommended and is the single most important
way to ensure success in this course. It will be difficult to pass
this class without attending the discussions. Please get the textbook. The textbook
contains everything you need to know for this class and more.
Readings: Assignments in the text ("The Cosmic
Perspective - Fifth Edition" by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit) for each class are listed in the syllabus and are
required. Reading the assigned materials before each
discussion is critical for having productive class time. You are not
expected to master the material before class. However, you are
expected to know the vocabulary introduced in the reading and to come to
class prepared to discuss the material and ask questions.
Exams: There will be three one-hour exams and a final
exam. The best two of the three in class exams plus the final will make up
about 70-75% of your final grade. Homeworks will count for about 20-25%. Class particpation and
attendance will count for about 5-10% of your grade.
Exam questions will be
drawn from both class material and reading assignments.
Be sure to bring your college ID and a #2 pencil to all exams.
The exams will test concepts and some basic math ideas; they are
designed to test your understanding.
Makeup exam policy: Makeup exams (essay format) for the three midterms will be given if there
is a reasonable reason for absence. For the
final exam, we will follow SUNY Oswego guidelines.
Homework: There will be six-eight
homework assignments, worth 25% of the final grade.
syllabus page.
Academic Honesty is expected of all scientists, and also
of all students of science. Cheating on an exam will result in a grade
of zero for that exam. This zero will not be dropped as one
of your low exam grades! Cheating on homeworks or in-class exercises
will result in the reduction of one letter grade in your final grade.
Failure to observe the rules of academic honesty may result
in a failing grade for the entire course.
Common Courtesy Guidelines
For the benefit of your fellow students and your instructors, you are expected
to practice common courtesy with regard to all course interactions. For example:
- show up to class on time
- do not leave class early and do not rustle papers in preparation to leave before class is dismissed
- turn off your cell phone
- Be attentive in class - stay awake, don't read newspapers, etc.
- If you must be late or leave early on any particular day, please inform your instructor
or TA in advance.