ASTR 101
The Sun and its Planets
Fall 2019

Grading

Grades are based on a point scale with different assignments weighted as shown in the table. The points are distributed across a variety of exercises so that no single thing will dominate your grade. However, this also means that it is imperative that you complete all assignments. We will drop the lowest homework, but zeros on multiple homeworks fail to add up in a big way.

ASSIGNMENT
Homeworks
Exam I
Exam II
Final
Total
POINTS
150
100
100
150
500

Letter grades will be assigned based upon your cumulative score. Here is how your grade will be determined from your point total in the class:

Letter Grade
Course Total
Percentage
A
450-500
90%-100%
B
400-449
80%-89%
C
350-399
70%-79%
D
275-349
55%-69%
F
0-274
0%-54%

The point scale makes it possible for everyone in the class to do well. For example, if everyone scores above 90% in the course, you would all receive A's. On the other hand, if no one does this well, I may adjust the number of points required to get a given grade. Any adjustment will make it easier to get a given grade, never more difficult (i.e., any curve that is applied can only benefit your grade).

Academic Honesty

Simple rule: DON'T CHEAT.

It is pretty obvious what cheating is. In case you're unclear, it is defined in the Bulletin. Cheating includes but is not limited to copying from another's work; falsifying problem solutions or laboratory reports; or using unauthorized sources, notes or computer programs; or otherwise failing to follow the instructions or procedures in place for a particular testing situation.

An example of an unauthorzied source is Chegg. Do not look at it. Do not copy from it. Do not use it in any way. It is often wrong and easy to spot. You are always better off doing your own work. So just do your own work.

The minimum penalty for cheating is a zero on the affected assigment. The maximum penalty is failure of the entire course. The instructor reserves the right to impose arbitrary and capricious penalties between these bounds. For example, if you are caught cheating on the final assignemnt, the grades for all previous assignments become suspect and are subject to revision.