TESTING: The student's knowledge of the subject will be assessed by periodic tests which will occur at the end of each study unit or approximately every two weeks.
The dates of the class tests are posted in advance on the class Web page. All students must take the tests at the originally scheduled times. The only exceptions are in those cases when a student has missed several classes right before the test, in which case the School Handbook Policy will apply. The Handbook states that if the student was absent N days then the test must be taken within N+1 days after returning to class.
Make up and delayed tests will be the exception, not the rule. They will only take place at my discretion on a case by case basis, and no student will be entitled to make-up or delayed tests. These tests are not intended to provide second chances to students that should have been ready for the test as originally scheduled, since students should always be prepared to take all tests at the scheduled times.
I will rigorously exercise my discretion on this issue. Students that do not take their class obligations seriously (late homework, inattentive in class, etc.) will not be granted privileges.
GRADING: The first 85% of the semester grades will have the following components.
Astronomy / Aerospace Science: Participation 25%, homework 25%, quizzes 50%
Chemistry I: Participation 15%, homework 15%, quizzes 50%, lab 20%
Physics I & Physics II (AP) : Participation 15%, homework 15%, quizzes 50%, lab 20%
The remaining 15% of the semester grade will be the semester exam.
Astronomy and Aerospace Science are one-semester courses. Physics I, Physics II (AP), and Chemistry I are two-semester courses, so the final grade for these will be the average of both semester grades. Most if not all of the Physics 2 tests will be take-home tests.
Note: Some "special project" may be assigned for Astronomy, Aerospace Science, Physics I, or Chemistry I. The value of any such special project, if assigned, will depend on the level of difficulty and the amount of effort and time required for its completion. It will be worth no less than 5% of the grade and no more than 1/2 of homework plus class participation grades combined. For example, in the case of Astronomy, a special project can be worth anywhere from 5% to 25% of the grade. In this case the class participation and homework portions will be reduced proportionally to make room for the grade value of the special project, but the quizzes will always be worth 50% of the grade regardless of any special project assignment.
PLAGIARISM: A very simple rule to remember: There will be Zero Tolerance on cheating and/or plagiarism. Any work for which it is determined that cheating or plagiarism occurred will receive a grade of zero.