CHEMISTRY 1515 SECTION 2

General Information and Grading System

Spring 1998



EXAMINATONS: There will be four (4) one-hour examinations on Wednesdays, February 4, March 4, and April 8 and Tuesday, May 9. The final exam, on Tuesday, May 9, will be comprehensive, i.e., cover the entire semester's work.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS: In calculating your total points for the course, a missed one-hour exam (based on an excused absence) will be replaced with the final exam percentage. Therefore, the final exam score will count twice, once for the final exam score and once for a missed hour exam. If you should miss TWO hour exams, you should see Dr. Gelder as soon as possible to discuss the situation. Make-ups will NOT be scheduled. An unexcused missed hour exam will not be replaced by the final exam score.

HOMEWORK: At least 14 problem sets will be assigned. Each problem set consists of no more than 10 problems. These will be due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the problem set, or announced in class. Problem Sets not turned in by 1:30 p.m. will be considered LATE. Late problem sets will NOT be accepted. The highest scores of fourteen problem sets will contribute to your final grade in this course. Each problem set is worth 12 points. Only three representative problems will be graded on each problem set. Each graded problem will be worth three points, unless otherwise noted. The remaining three points will be awarded, on an all or nothing basis, for completing all of the problems in the problem set.

LABORATORY: Twelve (12) laboratory experiments will be graded. The two lowest laboratory experiment scores, will be dropped. Laboratory quizzes may be given during the semester. The quiz will be worth approximately 10% of the grade for the particular experiment. Labs must be turned in during the first fifteen minutes of the following laboratory. Any late laboratory write-ups will be penalized 50% for the first day and 90% after the first day. If you are going to miss a laboratory, you need to make sure the laboratory is turned in on time or it will be subject to the same point deduction as described above.

LABORATORY MAKE-UP: There will be NO make-ups laboratory experiments. FOUR LABS MISSED ANYTIME DURING THE SEMESTER WILL RESULT IN AN "F" GRADE FOR THE COURSE!

LABORATORY CHECKOUT: If you drop the course, check your locker equipment back to the storeroom by May 8th. Failure to do so will result in a $10.00 clearance fee PLUS charges for any breakage or dirty equipment that must be replaced during the cleaning procedure. Charges accumulated during the semester will also be added. The Bursar's office will receive an invoice of these charges.

GRAPHING CALCULATORS: If you have a graphing calculator you are encouraged to take advantage of its capability. Graphing calculators can greatly simplify many sophisticated mathematical relationships used in chemistry. You will be encouraged to use your graphing calculator in lecture, laboratory, and on problem sets and laboratory write-ups. If you have recently received a graphing calculator and would like to meet other students who own similar calculators please contact Dr. Gelder. An effort will be made early in the semester to get students together to help everyone learn how to use their graphing calculator most effectively. Note: Calculators with alphanumeric keyboards will NOT be allowed to be used during examinations.

DROP POLICY:

Important Date

Action

Friday, January 16th

Last day to ADD a course

Friday, January 23rd

Last day to DROP a course with no grade and no fees

Friday, February 20th

Last day to drop from the course with a "W" recorded on the transcript and with advisor's signature only

Friday, March 27th

Last day to drop from the course with a "W" or "F" recorded on the transcript, with advisor's signature and Dr. Gelder's signature. Note: students who do not have 40% of the possible points at the time of dropping will receive an "F".
After Oct. 31st students must petition to withdraw from a class. See your academic advisor or visit your college advising office for more information regarding petitioned withdrawal.

Friday, April 24th

Last day to withdraw from the University (all courses) with a "W" or "F"

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT/DISHONESTY: The expectation for all students in this course is that complete integrity will be demonstrated at all time. Faculty regulations require notification of advisers, deans, etc. in the event of academic dishonesty. You should be aware that both 'taking' and 'giving' assistance during an examination constitutes academic dishonesty. The following procedure will be adopted: students who are found to copy laboratories may receive a 0 for the laboratory portion of the course. Students who are caught cheating on examinations may receive an 'F' in the course. In the event you are penalized for academic dishonesty, or academic misconduct, you may appeal the decision. Any appeal must begin with a discussion with Dr. Gelder. Students may obtain information regarding the proper appeal process from the Academic Appeals Board, 101 Whitehurst Hall. Students must initiate an appeal within ten days after notification by Dr. Gelder that a penalty for academic dishonesty or misconduct has been imposed.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS: OSU is committed to serving the needs of students with disabilities. Federal Law protects individuals with disabilities and states that the University must provide appropriate academic accommodations. According to the OSRHE Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Acts, it is the responsibility of each student with a disability to notify the University of his or her disability. If any member of this class feels he/she has a disability and needs special accommodation of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the Office of Student Disability Services, 326 Student Union, to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure fair opportunity to perform in the class. Please advise Dr. Gelder of any disability following the first week of scheduled classes.

ATTENDANCE: While attendance will not be taken during lecture it is strongly recommended studetns attend all lectures. Important information regarding examinations, homework and laboratory will be announced in class. In addition insightful, stimulating discussion of chemistry concepts will occur during the lecture period. Students are encouraged to inform Dr. Gelder when attendance in lecture is not possible. Attendance in laboratory is mandatory. Four missed laboratories will result in an "F" in the class, independent of student's performance on examinations and homework.

SCHEDULE: The lecture schedule is tentative. Depending on rate and extent of coverage the date of coverage for a particular topic may change. The order of topics will not be changed significantly. All tests will be given on the dates shown and all problem sets and laboratory reports will be due on those dates given in class.

 

Total Point Breakdown

Where points are from

Points possible

Your total

4 Hour Exams + 100 pt. Final

500

__________

10 lab grades (a percentage of your total lab points will be multiplied by 200)

200

__________

14 homework grades (a percentage of your total PS points will be multiplied by 200)

200

__________

Grand Total Points

900

___________

Tentative Grade Distribution

Total Earned Points

Grade

765 - 900

A

630 - 764

B

495 - 629

C

360 - 495

D

0 - 360

F

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