All people are not the same and do not learn in the same ways. In view of these facts, this course provides everyone with diverse opportunities to demonstrate learning, to show improvement and to be rewarded for time and effort. This course does not require you to be a "rocket scientist" - all the material is presented on an introductory level. The course does require you to make a steady, weekly effort in studying. There are several tests and weekly homework and laboratory activities. Emphasis is always on providing opportunities for to to expand your understanding and improve your personal skills/habits in working with knowledge. Your active participation and positive attitude in your study are essential to this effort.

There are no make-up activities for missed tests or labs or late assignments. All assignments handed in after the posted deadline are worth half (50%). I will enforce deadlines to be fair to all students and prepare you for the "real world". My course grading system provides all with equal, ample opportunity to demonstrate your skills and be rewarded for your efforts.

Tests (40%)

Tests will be based on questions and problems from your homework and in-class work.

Quizzes (10%)

Short, announced quizzes will be given on a regular basis to test your understanding and computational skills. The quiz problems will be based on the work of preceeding class periods.

Homework Problems (20%)

Each week you will work on assignments based on problems done in class and the problems in each chapter of your textbook. You want the total point value of your weekly homework problems to be 12 Points (2 per problem). Time will be provided in class on Monday and Friday for you to work on some of these problems, so please attend class regularly.

Experimenting and Reporting (20%)

Laboratory is your opportunity to test ideas and learn something by interacting with the world and your teammates. The "lab" will take place on Thurday 10:30AM-12:30PM. At the end of lab, you will hand in a written report based on the "homework" questions listed for Thursday.

Participation (10%)

The ultimate goal of an education is to prepare students for professional and intellectual pursuits: for the workplace, for research institutions, for undergraduate and graduate education. Getting tasks done on time, taking pride and care in your work, reporting honestly on accomplishments and maintaining a positive attitude are important behavior traits. These participation point will be awarded to students who:

• Attend sessions and arrive on time
• Ask appropriate questions and behave as an active learner
• Participate effectively in class discussions
• Encourage and facilitate learning of classmates
• Do not engage in disruptive or unprofessional behavior

Student grades will be posted online with password protection. After mid-October, your lowest test, quiz, homework, and laboratory grade will automatically be eliminated from your grade.