The lecture portion will involve weekly assignments that are to be completed electronically on blackboard. Assignments are usually short quizzes (10-20 questions). “Assignments & Attendance” accounts for 20% of the final grade. The 20% is computed from the assignments, but can be decreased as a result of poor attendance. If a student is late or misses more than 3 classes, then each additional late/missed class will result in subtracting 1% from the 20% for Assignments and Attendance.
Lecture attendance is taken every lecture at the very beginning of class. Latecomers who miss attendance will not be allowed to record their attendance, and will be recorded as absent.
The lab portion will involve weekly assignments completed in the lab. Attendance will also be taken in the lab each week. It is absolutely critical that you arrive to labs on time. If you do not arrive on time you will be given a late. If you are late or miss a lab more than three times, then you will be penalized for each additional lateness or absence by 1% of from the 20% for Assignments and Attendance.
If you do have to miss class due to exceptional circumstances, please make arrangements to get notes from a classmate
Your final grade combines your performance in the lab and lecture portions of the course. The percentage grade is determined from the following components.
| Total % | ||
| Lecture | ||
| Assignments & Attendance (lab and lecture) | 20% | |
| Midterm | 10% | |
| Final exam (cumulative) | 25% | |
| Extra Credit | up to 2% (see below) | |
| Lab | ||
| Paper 1 | 10% | |
| Paper 2 | 10% | |
| Paper 3 | 15% | |
| Presentation 1 | 5% | |
| Presentation 2 | 5% |
You have the opportunity to gain extra credit in this course by participating in experiments that are offered through the online sign-up system http://brooklyncollege.sona-systems.com/ You must give yourself a new user name, and select this course. For every hour of participation you will receive 1% extra credit, to a max of 2%. The system will automatically record your credit. If you wish to receive extra credit without participating, ask me about other writing assignment options.
Percentage grades are converted to letter grades according to the following rubric.
| Letter grade | Range |
|---|---|
| F | 0-59.99 |
| D- | 60-63.32 |
| D | 63.33-66.66 |
| D+ | 66.67-69.99 |
| C- | 70-72.99 |
| C | 73-76.66 |
| C+ | 76.67-79.49 |
| B- | 79.5-83.32 |
| B | 83.33-86.66 |
| B+ | 86.67-89.99 |
| A- | 90-93.32 |
| A | 93.33-96.66 |
| A+ | 96.67-100 |
The course allows for some flexibility in determining your final grade. If you perform better on the final exam than on the midterm, you may replace the midterm grade with your higher final grade (the reverse does not apply). The major focus of this course is to develop your writing abilities. As writing in the APA format may be unfamiliar to some, the course allows that, IF you complete all 3 papers, then, you will have the opportunity to replace your lowest paper grade from paper 1 or paper 2, with your highest grade from paper 1 or 2. The instructor reserves the right to determine whether the final grade depends more heavily on a scale or a curve.