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Requirements and Grading

Final Grade

The calculation of the final grade for the course will be weighted among the various components of the course as follows:

Discussion 10%
Midterm Exam 20%
Laboratory 20%
Term Project 25%
Final Exam 25%

The final letter grade for the course will be determined from a weighted mean of all the percent grades for the course according to the following formula:

>97 = A+ 73-75 = C
92-97 = A 70-72 = A
88-91 = A- 67-69 = D+
85-87 = B+ 64-66 = D
82-84 = B 60-63 = D-
79-81 = B- <60 = F
76-78 = C+

None of the grades will be based on any kind of curve or forced distribution, so you are not competing with your classmates.

Class Discussions

Your participation in the class discussions will be rated weekly according to the following scale:

90-100 For virtually every class period the student has completed the reading assignments and is well prepared for the discussion. The student has a good grasp of the issues and is able to articulate her/his thoughts clearly. The student contributes spontaneously to the class discussion and is always able to respond appropriately when called upon. The student listens attentively, does not try to monopolize the discussion, and stimulates the participation of others. The student's contributions to the discussion are insightful and constructive.

80-89 The student usually has read the assignments and is prepared for the discussion. The student understands the issues and can follow the discussion. The student either tends to hold back, responding only when addressed directly, or s/he tends to talk too much, interrupting or failing to listen to others. The student's contributions to the discussion generally are good but not always appropriate.

70-79 The student frequently misses class, arrives late, or arrives unprepared for the discussion. Although the student may be able to address some of the issues, s/he does not comprehend all of them. The student may be inattentive in class, perhaps occasionally nodding off, and may not be able to respond appropriately when called upon. The student generally contributes little or nothing to the class discussion.

60-69 The student habitually misses class, arrives late, or arrives unprepared for the discussion. The student regularly falls asleep in class and cannot respond appropriately when called upon. The student is generally clueless about the issues and is virtually unable to participate in the class discussion.

Less than 60 The student either fails to attend class or is disruptive to the class discussions.

Missed Deadlines

Any work (essay, lab report, term paper) will be accepted after its due date. However, 10 points/week (10/7 points/day) will be subtracted from the grade.