Course Policies

Reading assignments
You are expected to read assigned chapter(s) before the lecture in which the subject matter is covered. You are responsible for all material in assigned readings, even if not covered in lecture.

Recitations
You should be enrolled in the recitation section, and you are expected to attend every week. Recitations will be used to go over assigned problems (including Virtual Flylab exercises) and exam questions and to answer questions about the lectures or text. Past experience suggests that students who attend recitation regularly are more likely to do well.

Exams
Exams will consist of a mixture of short essay questions and problems to be solved. The in-class hour exams will be 80 minutes long and count 100 points each. The Final Exam will be 110 min. long and count 150 points.

Grading
Each in-class exam will count 100 points and the Final Exam will count 150 points. Final letter grades will be based upon your total score on in-class exams and the Final Exam.

Group Study
Students are strongly encouraged to work in groups to learn, study and prepare for exams. There will be group assignments later in the term. Please see the instructor if you need help with establishing or operating study groups.

Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both the instructor and the Office of Disability Resources & Services, 216 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 [TTY 412-383-7355] as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.

Excused Absences from Exams

• If an emergency (defined as illness, serious injury, death in the immediate family, etc.) prevents you from taking an exam, you must notify the Instructor in writing (not e-mail) no later than 2 weeks after the date of exam. [A telephone call in advance is greatly appreciated.] You must give your name, the date of the missed exam and, if a medical excuse is involved, a documenting letter from your physician.
• If competition in intercollegiate athletics prevents you from taking an exam, you must provide a written request from your coach before the exam.
  
• If you have an excused absence from an exam, your final grade will be based upon the average of the exams that you do take. In the absence of a properly documented written excuse, you will be assigned a grade of zero for that exam.
• No student will be excused from more than one exam. If you miss more than one exam, see the CAS Dean's Office (140 Thackeray Hall) to withdraw officially from the course.

Cheating
Absolutely no form of cheating will be tolerated during exams. If you are caught cheating during an exam, your paper will be confiscated and, at a minimum, you will be assigned a grade of zero for that exam. Further action may be taken through the Academic Integrity Review process.