Question: I have missed exams, and/or labs, and/or not completed
some homework assignments. What can I do at the end of the semester for
"extra credit" so that I can make all of this up?
Answer: All of the credit for the semester is detailed on the
course outline. There is no "extra credit,"
and certainly nothing that can be done at the end of the semester to make up for
not doing the assignments.
Number 2
Question: I'm going to be absent from class on (insert date here)---will I miss
anything?
Answer: No! Of course not! Well, unless you mean the lecture,
examples, homework, demonstrations, discussion, and important announcements.
I suggest that you arrange to get the notes from someone in class for the day that you were absent.
Number 3
Question: Do you give bonus points?
Answer: No.
Number 4
Question: How can I make up one of the scheduled exams
that I have to miss because of (select as many as apply)
university sponsored activity
medical emergency
family emergency
abduction and gang probing by aliens previously scheduled
selected for new "Survivor: Greenland" show
voted in as an "American Idol" finalist
something else incredibly important to me
Answer: If you have a really, really good excuse other than
medical, contact me BEFORE the scheduled exam and I will try to let
you take it early. If you are suddenly ill the day of the test, please
contact me by phone or e-mail as soon as possible, but before the
next class meeting, and if possible, bring a note from your health care provider.
Number 5
Question: How does the laboratory/recitation grade factor into my grade for the
course?
Question: What score do I need to make on the final to get a
particular letter grade for the course?
Answer: Beats me! I won't try to do the calculation for you
either, but due to my incredibly generous nature, I have made it easy for
you to do yourself using the amazing automatic grade calculator that I wrote.
Number 7
Question: When/where are you going to post the scores for
the exam?
Answer: I will post your exam
scores just as soon as I can. Your semester grade will be posted
on Raiderlink as soon as possible after all work for the semester has
been graded---calling, e-mailing, or knocking on my door while I am in the
process of doing this just delays the results for everyone and annoys the
professor.
Number 8
Question: Do you curve?
Answer: No. Since the average semester score for this
course is fairly high, norming the average to a C (grading on a curve) would
lower most student's letter grade.
Number 9
Question: Can you tell me what my grades are?
Answer: No. It is extremely
time-consuming to look up and e-mail 180+ people their scores during the
semester. So, if you want to know how you are doing, you can check your
href="http://www.masteringphysics.com">homework, or
exam scores anytime.
Number 10
Question: Do I need to bring a bluebook or scantron for the
exam?
Answer: No for the bluebook, but yes for the
scantron. I also recommend a good writing implement (a #2
pencil) or two, a good eraser, and a reasonable
scientific calculator (mine is ≤ $12).
Number 11
Question: I have the correct answer on my returned exam,
but I coded the wrong answer on the scantron. Can I get credit
anyway?
Answer: No. Only if the scanner misreads your
scantron can a correction be made after you have
turned in your exam and scantron, so please make sure that you code
what you intend, including your R-number.
Number 12
Question: I came to all of the classes and tried really
hard, so can I make an appointment to see you after the semester to ask
for a higher grade than I earned?
Answer: No. If time runs out and, even though you tried
really hard, you wind up one inch short of the goal line, it still is
not a touchdown. Everyone has to play by the same rules. So, unless
you can demonstrate an actual mistake in your grade, there is no need
to schedule a meeting after the semester to ask for special treatment.
Number 13
Question: I didn't really follow the instructions on the
grade calculator, but when I don't, it shows that I should be getting a
higher grade than the one reported. If I send you email about
this after the semester and waste your time, will I get the higher grade
anyway?
Answer: No. If you contact me after the semester and you
are wrong because you did not follow the directions, then you will
drop to one letter grade lower than the one you actually earned---so you
better be really sure.
Number 14
Question: I can't get the online homework system to accept
my answer. Can you show me what I am doing wrong by email?
Answer: No. Dr. Gibson does not do homework or hints by
email---it is a poor way to try and explain a problem and there is
only one of me, so there is no fair or practical way for me to do this.
Number 15
Question: I just got around to checking over my exam from
earlier in the semester and I think that my scantron was scored
incorrectly. Can you dig through all the scantrons and regrade mine by
hand?
Answer: Yes, if you have checked your returned exam very
carefully with the answer key and it is within one week of when the
exams were returned. If I do this once and it turns out that your
scantron was graded correctly, please don't ask me again.