The final grade is computed out of 100 points using the following letter mapping:
100-97 A+; 96-93 A; 92-90 A-;
89-87 B+; 86-83 B; 82-80 B-;
79-77 C+; 76-73 C; 72-70 C-;
69-60 D; < 59 F
Attendance and Participation 10 %
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students more than 15 minutes late will be consider absent. Two absences are allowed with no penalty. One point will be taken for each additional absence up to a total of 12 absences. Students absent for more than 12 lectures will receive an F. Oral questions about the course material and the reading assignements will be asked and students are expected to actively participate in the discussion.
Laboratories 25 %
Students can elect to perform the labs individually or in a group of two. Once formed, groups cannot be changed. Some of the laboratories are assigned as homework, while others are required to be executed in class. Laboratories are always due at the end of each laboratory session, both when assigned as homework or as do in class. The lowest score will be disregarded.
Quizzes 5 %
Surprise quizzes will be given throughout the semester. The questions asked will be related to the reading assignements.
Weather Picture 5 %
The assignement consists in taking one or mroe digital pictures of the weather phenomena discussed in class. The students must turn in the pictures, and a short description of what they represent, and how they relate to the course material.
1st Midterm Exam 10 %
The midterm covers material from both lectures and labs. This is an individual, closed book, in class exam.
2nd Midterm Exam 10 %
The midterm covers material from both lectures and labs. This is an individual, closed book, in class exam.
3rd Midterm Exam 10 %
The midterm covers material from both lectures and labs. This is an individual, closed book, in class exam.
Final Exam 25%
This is a comprehensive exam, which is heavily based from both lectures and labs. This is an individual, closed book, in class exam.
Policy on Absence
Students are expected to actively participate in the lecture, lab and class discussion. When a student misses a lecture, he/she is invited to let the instructor know in advance. The student is still responsible for the material and assignments covered in the lecture. Refer to the attendance section of the Syllabus for grading information.
Policy on Exams
The midterm and the final exams are mandatory. There is no make up exam, unless for extreme circumstances. If a student does not take the midterm exam, he/she will receive a 0 score. If a student does not take the final exam, he/she will receive an F grade.
Policy on Late Work
Labs are due at the end of the lab session. 2 points will be taken for each 24 hours starting from 14:00 of the due date.
Policy on Reading Assignements
Students are required to read the book chapter relative to each lecture BEFORE coming to class. Questions about the text will be asked during the lecture, and students are expected to be able to answer them.
Honor Code
Students must strictly follow the honor code, both for individual and team work. No exception will be made. University policy requires that faculty members report incidents of Honor Code Violation. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to plagiarism (reference your sources and quotations), copying others' work, limiting others' access to course materials, sabotaging others' work, turning in the same paper or project for two classes without permission from all instructors, and many other things. You are responsible for the GMU Scholastic Honor Code, found in the GMU University Catalogue.
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Office of Disability Resources at 703/993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
Class Cancellation
If a class is cancelled due to inclement weather or other reasons, the syllabus will be updated as early as possible. Best efforts will be made to send each student an email with information on the cancellation of class. Make up classes will be scheduled during the next lecture. When an exam is cancelled, it will be given during the next lecture.
