Welcome to Physics I for Fall 2008!

How to succeed.
READ THE TEXT.
Master the homework assignments.
Discuss them with your fellow students.
Studying the assignment before each class is critical since some of your daily grades will depend on your knowing the material before you come to class. You must work more problems than what 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 day’s work. A picture ID (MSU or Driver's License) is required to take all exams and quizzes. 

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 help outside class, I will be in my office from 1:15 to 2:45 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Posting Grades:
I post grades after every exam on this web site -- here.

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. Specifically, check your email regularly when you are in my class. Furthermore, make sure that your MSU email is properly forwarded to the inbox you most often check.

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., "PoopyScooper@hotmail.com"

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 on the MSstate.edu site. Cheaters will be excoriated.

I will probably give you some surprise homework quizzes during the semester. These few bonus points will be added on top of the
100% above; 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