A numerical grade will be assigned to these components. The
conversion to a letter grade will be as follows:
I reserve the right to make minor adjustments to the above scale. If
you are taking this course on a pass/fail basis, University rules give
the passing grade as equivalent to a D or higher.
Class Rules: Homework assignments will be handed out for return
in not less than one week. Each assignment will have a due date. Late
assignments will not be accepted for grading unless we have been given
and have accepted prior to the due date your reasons for requesting an
extension. In no case will late homeworks be accepted after the graded
homeworks have been returned and answers distributed.
For the final grade your numerical grade for the quizzes will be
computed from the best two of the three individual quiz scores. Since
we count only the best two of three quizzes in the final grade, there
will be no make-up quizzes. On the syllabus page I list projected dates
for the quizzes; I reserve the right to make minor adjustments to these
dates as the semester progresses. The final grade for the homework
assignments will be based on the best four of the six homeworks.
All work handed in for grading must be your own work. If you discuss
the homework assignment with a friend, I urge you to use your own words
and imagination in writing your answers. If you are puzzled by a
question, do not copy out a friend's answer, but stop by the office and
discuss the problem. If you wish, make an appointment for a regular
discussion period. Don't be shy! I am here to help!
Copying during exams is a heinous crime for which the punishment will
be an F for that exam at minimum to an F for the course at maximum. I
shall not hesitate to report such cases to the Dean of Students.
The University's deadlines and rules regarding "dropping" the
course will be strictly enforced. I shall assume that you are
conversant with these deadlines and rules.
Help Sessions: If you find that a part of our syllabus is
puzzling, please come and see me. I shall be happy to discuss the
problems with you. The TAs are also available for consultation. Review
sessions will be scheduled prior to due dates for homeworks and
quizzes. I have a selection of texts by other authors which are
available for loan -- a different text may offer a different insight
into a tricky issue.
Miscellaneous: Astronomy is an observational science. In order
to gather observations for my research and that of my students, visits
to the University's McDonald Observatory in West Texas are necessary.
If I have to miss a class for this (or another) reason, the class will
meet as usual.
You may be interested to visit our Student Observatory on the roof of
Painter Hall. This houses a 9-inch refractor. The general student night
is Monday, 10:00 p.m., clear nights only! This is a simple telescope
to use, and students (you!) can be checked out to observe with it.
Please see me for further information. You may also pick up a
"Painter Hall Telescope Handbook," which explains the
check-out procedure and the use of the telescope, from the Educational
Services Office, RLM 13.122, 471-1307.
"I have no doubt that in reality the future will be vastly more
surprising than anything I can imagine. Now my own suspicion is that
the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we
can suppose."
J.B.S. Haldane (1892-1964)