Tests and Grading Grades will be determined on the basis of 4 tests (each 100 points) and a few popup quizzes. The lowest test grade (of a home-taken test) will be dropped. The final  grade will be awarded as  follows:  90%-100% =A;  80%-90% = B;  70%-80% = C; 60%-70% = D;   I will  then go over each person's work individually and  modify  the tentative  grades  slightly,  taking into account factors that are hard  to quantify such as improvement, an outstanding  final exam, etc.  There is no preordained median for this course. It could be  higher or lower in any given year,  depending on how the class does. However, I would not hesitate to give 90% of the class an A if they earned it.
Exam dates (subject to change)
Tests I, II and III Feb 9, Mar 3(5), Apr 7
Final Examination May 10, at 7:15 pm
Please check the test dates in your other courses and let me know as soon as possible if there are conflicts.  The usual  solution in such cases is to give the exam early or  late on the scheduled day.  NOTE March 5 is the last day to withdraw from the class without receiving an automatic “WF”.  Conditions under which an incomplete  “I” is given  can be found in the 2004 General Catalog. You will not be able to use your notebook or textbook on all tests. No calculators. An answer alone will not suffice the credit. You must explain how you arrived at your answer
Important!!! The following policy on Administrative drops was adopted on the December 2003 Senate meeting. If a student is administratively dropped from a class, his/her grade is NOT counted as a W. So, any student who does not attend the class regularly during the first two weeks and did not take the required prerequisite courses well be automatically dropped. "1323.30 Involuntary Withdrawal" article.
Makeup policy NO make-up exams or quizzes will be given.  A missed exam  may be made up only in the event of a  verifiable, unavoidable  absence (e.q.,  a doctor’s note is necessary if illness is an excuse).   Failure to  take the final exam will result in a grade of  “F” for the course
Attendance policy   A sign-in sheet will be passed around each class day, except on test days. Please, sign each one in the same way. A student is considered present only if he/she has arrived on time  and remains until the class is dismissed. Coming to class late or leaving early is disruptive and thus discouraged. The instructor may drop a student from the roll for exceeding four class absences. Students are responsible for all material cove- red  in the book and  in class.  Those who have excellent attendance but are on a grade borderline will get extra consideration at the end of the class.
Homework The homework is the most important part of the course. No matter how well you think you understand the material presented in class, you won't really learn it until you do the problems. Late homework will not be accepted except in very unusual circumstances. We will, however, drop the lowest homework and quiz grade. You are free to devise whatever strategy for learning the material suits you best. This may involve collaboration with other students. We believe, however, that most people will get the maximum benefit from the homework if they try hard to do all the problems themselves before consulting others. In any case, whatever you turn in should represent your own solution, expressed in your own words, even if this solution was arrived at with help from someone else. Remember, you are doing the homework in order to learn the material; don't try to defeat the purpose of it. Do not get behind your work. As a guide, consider spending 2 hours of your time studying for each hour of class time. On a  test you must be able to work the problems within the period of time allowed. Therefore, it is recommended, as part of your  preparation for each test , that you select 8 to 10 problems and try to work them within a period of one hour. The quizzes will consist of 2-3 problems usually selected from the problems assigned as homework.
Cheating/Plagiarism All work submitted for grading must be your own. A first occurrence of cheating/plagiarism will result in a grade of  “O” for all concerned parties, as well as a form indicating academic dishonesty will be filed with the Dean of Students. A second occurrence will result in a grade of “F” for the course for the concerned parties, with a transcript.