Any student who enrolls in Physics 201, but does not complete the course work or process a withdrawal form before the end of the sixth week of the semester will receive a 0.0 unless they initiate one of the following options:

• the student officially requests a ‘W’ (i.e., drops the course after the sixth week). The student must be passing with an average grade of 1.0 or above on the date of the student request for the ‘W’. (Any work that has been due, but not turned in by the student will be counted as a 0.0 for the calculation of their average grade)
• the student officially requests an ‘I’. This grade will be given only in special documented circumstances (i.e., for some serious reason) when the student cannot complete the course work by the required deadline. The student must have completed 80% of the course work. In this course, for example, that may mean missing one exam and the associated homework and activities. All work must be complete by the end of the next semester or the ‘I’ will be changed to the grade earned without the uncompleted work. An ‘I’ cannot be used to simply avoid a 0.0 grade, i.e. work already complete cannot be repeated for a higher grade.)

Any student who exhibits behavior, which interferes with the Instructional Process will be withdrawn from the class. Students should be aware that disruptive behavior, which impedes the teaching/learning process will not be tolerated. An instructor may withdraw a student for disruptive behavior that interferes with the instructional process, such as students using portable phones or radios, or harassing faculty or other students.

• Tests are individual and include objective questions (T-F, Multiple Choice, Completion, etc.), short answers which include problem solving set up and rationale, and problems. The tests will primarily cover the chapters listed in the schedule above, but all chapters build upon themselves, so there is a sense in which every test is comprehensive. A one page (8.5 by 11 inches) crib sheet is allowed for the tests, midterm & final. It may have formulas, constants of nature and units.

• If you have reason to miss a test, prior arrangements must be made. Only 1 make up test is allowed under normal circumstances. In the case of emergency, a make ups may be given when the situation is explained even if prior arrangements were not made or another make up was already taken.

• Any form of cheating is considered a serious offense and will be dealt with according to College guidelines. All persons involved are considered responsible including the person from whom others copy. Thus it is your responsibility to place your materials in such a way so that others will not have an opportunity to copy them. You may be asked to sit in specific seats so as to spread out exam takers particularly in the lab (465 A&S).

• These textbook assignments may be done in collaboration with other students in the class. However, individual work is requested for credit, so xeroxed or identical copies handed in will not be accepted. If you are unclear about which is expected for a particular activity, it is your responsibility to ask.

• These activities should be neatly & legibly written and in some cases typed. Good written communication skills are expected. Short answers should be written grammatically correct with complete sentence structure. Points may be deducted from an assignment when the incorrect English inhibits understanding.

• Homework assignments from the textbook will be graded on a point scale per question. Answers without appropriate work shown will not receive full credit. They will have due dates and late penalties will be assessed unless prior arrangements have been made.

• These activities may be done in collaboration with other students usually in the class. In fact, you may be assigned to work in groups. There will be times when one copy from a group working collaboratively can be turned in for credit or to be checked off. In some cases you may present your results for credit. It is your responsibility to make sure that you receive a check off on the official grade sheet.

• Good written communication skills are expected. Short answers should be written grammatically correct with complete sentence structure. In cases where the activity is actually graded points may be deducted from an assignment when the incorrect English inhibits understanding.

• Some in class activities may be made up for partial credit if class is missed. For this to be possible, students need to call or email ahead of time to explain their circumstances. See below under class attendance.

Based upon Educational Research the Physics Faculty believe that working in collaborative groups promotes learning and understanding as well as being an interpersonal skill that employers want in their employees. Thus, for many Assignments & Activities you may be assigned to a collaborative group or be encouraged to form your own collaborative group. Your grade on these activities will be based not only on the group product, but also on how well you work within the group producing that product. Part of your evaluation may be made by your peers.