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. Zeros on multiple assigments fail to add up in a big way.

There are no make-ups for missed or late homeworks. We will drop the lowest homework, so you get one free pass.

ASSIGNMENT
Homeworks
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Total
POINTS
150
120
120
120
510

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
> 88%
B
400-450
78%-88%
C
340-399
67%-78%
D
255-339
50%-67%
F
< 255
0%-49%

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.

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. Cheating is further defined in the Bulletin.

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 penalty for cheating is a zero on the affected assigment. A zero earned in this fashion cannot be dropped as a low score. Cheating a second time will result in a full letter reduction in the final grade. Any further infractions will result in failure of the entire course.