PHY U111

Fall 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

last update 24 August 2007

This page contains answers to some frequently asked questions:

Academic Honesty

Academic integrity is essential in science, and students in this course are expected follow the highest standards of academic honesty. For a detailed statement, see the University policy on Academic Honesty. Of special interest for this course is my policy on using calculators on quizzes and exams (see below).

Can I use a calculator on exams?

Normally, you may use a calculator for doing numerical calculations if necessary, but you may not store text information or formulas in any calculator you use. If you use such a information on any test, you will be asked to turn in your paper and leave immediately, with further action taken according to circumstances.

There may be an quiz or exam on which calculators will not be allowed. If so, I will announce it in class well ahead of time.

Attendance

You are expected to attend every class. Obviously if you are truly ill, or have other sudden emergencies, you should set your priorities accordingly, but otherwise, come to class. While we do not formally record attendance, we have ways of identifying people who are habitually absent.

Do you give makeup tests?

No. If you miss one test during the term, then your grade is simply based on the remaining tests together with the final exam. If you miss more than one test, you need very good reasons, and if you do, please see me and we can arrange something. If you miss the final exam for good reason, then you receive a grade of incomplete in the course if you were passing going into the exam (otherwise an F).

Can I take the course on a pass-fail basis?

Perhaps. If you are in the College of Business, or if you are in the College of Arts and Sciences and you are taking this course as a 'free elective' (not using it to satisfy a distribution requirement),then you may be able to take the course on a 'pass-fail' basis. If your grade is the equivalent of 'C' or better, you receive a grade of 'S' (satisfactory), otherwise a grade of 'U' (unsatisfactory). But be sure to check with your academic advisor to see if this is possible.

If you do wish to take the course on a 'pass-fail' basis, you must ask me in writing before October 15. I will not accept a request to change to 'pass-fail' under any circumstances once you have taken two exams.

Can I bring my cell phone to class?

Yes, but please turn it off so that it does not ring in class. Nobody appreciates the interruption of a cell phone ringing in a class, or in the theater or movie house. If your cell phone rings in class, I will take down your name. If it happens a second time during the term, you will be asked to leave the class at once. In the unlikely event that it happens a third time, you will be referred to OSCCR.

You may not use a cell phone for any reason during an exam. If you bring one to class on the day of an exam, be sure to turn it off and keep it out of sight. On exams where you might need a calculator, you need to bring one -- it is not acceptable to use the calculator function of a cell phone.
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