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Welcome!
To do well in this course you have to work many many problems. Work more than I assign.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined from the weighted average of 6 exams (10% each => 60% total) and a comprehensive final (40%). There are no make-ups. If you have to miss any exam or class, email me (Astro[at]Lestrade.com) or call my secretary (662-325-2806) before or during the missed class. If I agree that your case is special, I will substitute your final exam grade for the missed days work.
Your lab grade is counted as (up to) 7 bonus points added to your net exam average.
A picture ID (MSU or Driver's License) is required to take all exams and quizzes.
I post grades after every exam on this web site -- here.
Labs:
The website for all things lab is here.
Office Hours:
Some concepts are understandably difficult to grasp. Raise your hand in class when you don't understand the lecture material. Don't be embarrassed. There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. We are all ignorant. You are stupid if you don't do something about it. For questions outside of class, I will be in my office from 1:50-3 pm on Tuesdays and 1:30-3 pm on Wednesdays.
Absenteeism:
Class attendance is not optional. There is a direct correlation between absenteeism and poor performance. (I actually feel stupid saying that. What is this, third grade?)
It is worth repeating, there are no make up exams.
Miscellany:
If you are more than 15 minutes late for any exam or quiz, you may not be allowed to take it
Please remove all hats/caps with brims during exams.
Calculators are expressly forbidden on exams. Bring only a pencil.
If you are auditing you must attend 80% of the classes -- including exam dates.
I often email the class as a whole through the MSU Banner address list. Be email-aware and check it regularly. Furthermore, make sure that your MSU email is properly forwarded to the inbox you most often use.
On that point, when emailing me about the course, you must send from your official MSU email account. I cannot correspond with your alter ego, e.g., "[email protected]"
Honor Code: Apparently, some of you are losers whose mommas did not teach you that cheating is wrong. The university has adopted a new honor code. Check it out here on the MSU site. Cheaters will be academically eviscerated.
I will probably give you some surprise homework quizzes during the semester. These few bonus points will be added on top of the net semester average. Think of it as pixie dust. It usually helps only those who are at the upper end of a letter grade range.
Do not ask if there is the chance to earn "extra credit". Discover a new law of Physics and we'll talk. Otherwise, your grade depends on the criteria mentioned above.
JPL
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