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: Yes! If you take all of the online quizzes and have
an overall average ≥ 92 before the deadline, then you will receive 20 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: I will hand your exams back in class just as soon as I grade and record them.
Your semester grade will be posted on TechSIS just as soon as I grade the
final---calling, e-mailing, or knocking on my door while I am grading the
final just delays the process for everyone and annoys the professor. Once they are graded, you may
check your exam scores online.
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 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 or reliable black-ink pen), a reasonable
scientific calculator (mine is ≤ $30), and your 3-inch by 5-inch notecard.