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? Or, I missed class for some reason---should I email you and ask
what I missed?
Answer: No. Your assignments are online. I also suggest that you arrange
to get the notes from someone in class for the day(s) that you were absent.
Number 3
Question: Do you give bonus points?
Answer: Yes! If you take all of the online quizzes and have
an overall average ≥ 92 before the deadline, then you will receive 10 bonus points as
detailed in the course outline.
Number 4
Question: How can I make up one of the scheduled 1-hour 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 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: Your exam scores will be available online in a
timely fashion. Your semester grade will be posted on Raiderlink just as soon as
possible---calling, e-mailing, or knocking on my door before this just delays the
process 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 many people their scores during the
semester. So, if you want to know how you are doing, you can check your online quiz scores, 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. You will also need a good writing implement (a #2
pencil, a reasonable scientific calculator (mine is ≤ $11),
and your 3-inch by 5-inch notecard.
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 it is fourth down 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.