E-mail: RBurkett@southwest.tn.edu         revised 09/08/2006                           

GRADING POLICY - This general policy is for all courses. Grading may vary slightly for individual online and/or computer assisted courses, especially concerning attendance (substitute "participation" for attendance).  

Students are expected to learn how to access and navigate through WebCT and/or additional websites used for each course during the first two weeks of class. When on campus, simply type in: webct for the Internet Explorer URL. This sends you directly to the WebCT server and displays the login page.

Grades are not given; they are earned based upon my assessment of your knowledge. Missing class makes it difficult to keep up, and students are encouraged to attend and participate in all classes and laboratory sessions. Preparation should involve at least two to three hours outside of class for every hour spent in class or lab. Students are responsible for all material covered or assigned in class or lab, and are encouraged to ask questions to gain understanding of course materials. Students are expected to come to class prepared, and must not only memorize terms and facts, but also understand and be able to apply principles in order to successfully complete any course. Science classes involve learning of numerous new terms and concepts in nearly every class session. Students are expected to learn to pronounce, spell, and use these terms correctly, as well as to be able to incorporate them into discussions of concepts and general principles (theories). Please fill out and submit the Class Agreement after reading this Grading Policy.

Grading is based on 90%, 80%, 70% & 60% for a grade of A, B, C or D, respectively, and at least one lecture exam grade must be a 90, 80, 70 or 60 for a course grade of A, B, C or D, respectively. Roll will be called each day at the beginning of class, and one (1) point will be given for being present and on time (you must remain for the entire class period to receive the point). Up to 10 additional points may be earned each day for participation by answering oral and/or written questions. Participation means substantive contribution to the class: you must answer questions indicating an understanding of the material being discussed in the class.  Two or three lecture exams (300 points) will be given following completion of a unit of three or more chapters, and at least two laboratory reports/exams, plus individual and/or group projects (150-250 points) will be given each semester. Written assignments will be posted on the WebCT Bulletin/Discussion board, along with the number of points possible and the due date. Examinations will consist mostly of multiple choice questions, but may include matching, essay questions, and/or drawings. Students arriving more than five minutes late for an exam, or taking a makeup exam, may be given an essay exam. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late to an exam will have 5% points deducted from their grade, and those arriving 30 minutes late will have 10% points deducted.  Laboratory exams may require knowledge of lecture material as well as specimens, slides, drawings, and/or models. Some laboratory material may be covered by an oral examination. Makeup exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor, and they may be different from those given on the scheduled examination day. Generally, there will be no makeups for lab exams.

Contact me immediately if you must miss an exam. A makeup exam will only be given if there is a legitimate excuse for missing, and only if I am notified immediately concerning the reason for the absence. Missing an exam without an excuse will result in a grade of "0" for that exam. All makeup work must be completed before final exam week, or a grade of "0" will be given for the missed work. 

Online exams: You may be given two attempts on one or more exams; if so, your average of the two attempts will count for your grade. When you enter the computer lab to take an exam, leave all books and notes on the lab table or floor. Do not talk to other students, and look only at your computer. Turn off all cell phones when taking an exam. Exam questions will be presented one at a time, and you will be allowed to move forward or backward through the exam. After answering each question, you must click the SUBMIT button, and at the end of the exam, you must click the FINISH button. You should be able to see your score after you complete the exam. If WebCT does not show your grade, I will need to adjust the submissions for the exam. If you should have a computer failure during an exam, notify me immediately. Each exam label will show the date, time, and time-limit for that exam. Chapter quizzes prepare you for each exam, but do not count on your grade. I reserve the right to lower the letter grade by one level for any exam that is not taken on the day that it is first given.

Exam grades are determined by the following method: total number correct/ total points possible X 100 = % score. One or more bonus questions may be included on an exam, making it possible to earn more than 100%. Grades will only be changed if an error has been made. No extra credit work will be given to an individual to raise a grade! I expect complete intellectual honesty from everyone, and any indication of cheating on any class work or exam will result in a grade of "0" (if two or more students turn in the exact same work, all will receive a grade of "0" for the assignment). Cheating on an exam may result in a grade of "F" for the course.

Group Projects - Near the beginning of the semester, four Learning Groups will be formed. Students will form groups of 4-5 individuals in each group. E-mail me a list of your group members through WebCT. Both group and individual written assignments will be required, with a length of from 200 to 1000 words minimum. Individual and group projects will be given at the discretion of the instructor, some of which may require work outside the classroom. Projects may be modified in the summer because of the short term. College graduates are expected to be able to communicate in both written and oral Standard English, and I expect all written work to be proofread and relatively free of spelling and grammatical errors. All written work should be double-spaced, to allow space between lines for my comments. When doing any team or group work, every individual should contribute equally to the work, and each member should critique all work before it is submitted. Sloppy work by one individual will affect the team's grade. All written assignments should contain appropriate terminology used in such a way that demonstrates to me your understanding of the subject, and answers must be thorough and correct to receive full credit. Unless specified, send all written work through your course WebCT e-mail. For help with Microsoft Word, go to http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm

In assigning points on papers and/or oral reports, I will use a rubric similar to the material below:  I retain the right to give different members of Learning Teams different grades, depending upon their degree of participation and accuracy, especially in oral reports.

 (A= 90%) Clearly stands out as excellent in all academic work. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Analyzes and gains perspective on many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines; anticipates next steps in progression of ideas. – The question has been thoroughly answered using proper terminology; it explains the “how or why” and uses correct pronunciation or spelling and English. All sentences are complete and make sense. In oral reports, all directions have been followed completely. Models, specimens, diagrams, etc have been properly used. References have been properly cited, including proper URLs for Internet references.

 (B= 80%) Understands subject matter at a level considered between good and very good. The individual is an active listener and participant in class discussion. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes what is beyond the minimum requirements. Work in and out of class displays a high amount of quality. Example: "B" work indicates a high quality of performance and is given in recognition for solid work; a "B" should be considered a high grade. – Your description is fairly complete, but is somewhat lacking in giving a complete explanation. Appropriate vocabulary has been incorporated into the answer, but a few errors may be present.

(C= 70%) Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates orally and in writing at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts. Example: "C" work represents average work for the students in a program or class. A student receiving a "C" has met course requirements, including deadlines.  – Your description is mostly complete, but it may not explain the question properly, and it contains errors. Some terminology is used correctly, but omissions are present. Several spelling and/or grammatical errors may be present.

(D= 60%) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is below average and barely acceptable. Example: "D" work is passing by a slim margin. – Your answer is underdeveloped in terms of vocabulary and explanation, and it contains several errors.

(F= 0<59%) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is unacceptable. Example: "F" work does not qualify the student to progress to a more advanced level of work.  – Only a very few correct points have been made, and very few vocabulary terms have been used properly. Many spelling and/or grammatical errors are present.  – Your written work does not answer the question, and vocabulary terms are not used properly.

An incomplete course grade ("I") will be given only in case of illness, death in the immediate family, etc.; if the student has completed at least 75% of the course with a grade of C or better, and only if the student requests an "I" grade in writing (preferably through WebCT email). Arrangements must be made to complete the missed work during the first two months of the next semester. I reserve the right to lower the letter grade by one level for any "I" grade that is given.

I reserve the right to deduct one letter grade for any assignment that is submitted late. Without prior (or immediate) notice, a very good excuse, and a pre-negotiated decision, I will deduct 5% for each day that an assignment is late. I will not accept any assignment that is over a week late, and a grade of F will be given on that assignment. I reserve the right to lower your final grade by one letter grade if all work is not submitted by the last day of class. Once the final class grade has been submitted, I will change it only if I have made a mistake in calculating the grade.

On any written assignments, whether for a grade or extra credit, all students are expected to turn in their own work. Do not copy anything directly from any written document or from another person unless it is written in quotes and credit is given to the author. A grade of “0” will be given for plagiarism. Please write all papers using the American Psychological Association (APA) format; see: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html for examples of citations of outside references. If two or more students turn in work in which it is obvious that one has copied any information from another, a grade of "0" will be given to both parties.

The instructor reserves the right to make alterations in the course syllabus and examination schedule to meet the needs of the class. If you stop attending class, you must officially drop the class or withdraw from school to avoid a grade of ‘F.’

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