Grading Policy
Overview
- Participation and Engagement – 30%
- Weekly Assignments – 20%
- MidTerm – 25%
- Final – 25%
This grading policy outlines how students’ final grades in the course will be determined. It is designed to reflect a balance between various aspects of the course, including class participation, completion of weekly assignments, and performance in the midterm and final evaluations.
Breakdown of Grades
- Participation and Engagement (30% of Final Grade)
- Regular attendance and punctuality.
- Active participation in class discussions and activities.
- Demonstrating preparation and engagement with course materials.
- Adherence to class policies including the no-cell phone and no social media policies.
- Quality of contributions in class, showing critical thinking and understanding of the subject.
- Weekly Assignments (20% of Final Grade)
- Timely submission of assignments.
- Completeness and accuracy of assignment content.
- Demonstration of understanding of the weekly topics.
- Creativity and effort demonstrated in completing assignments.
- Quality of any required research and analysis.
- Midterm Examination (25% of Final Grade)
- Assessment of knowledge and skills acquired in the first half of the course.
- May include a combination of theoretical questions, practical tasks, and/or project work.
- Graded on accuracy, understanding of concepts, and completeness.
- Final Examination/Project (25% of Final Grade)
- Comprehensive evaluation covering the entire course content.
- May be a written exam, practical project, or a combination of both.
- Focuses on students’ ability to integrate and apply the skills and knowledge from the entire course.
- Assessed on thoroughness, accuracy, creativity, and technical skills.
Additional Notes
- Late Submission: Late assignments may be subject to a grade penalty unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
- Academic Integrity: Students are expected to adhere to high standards of academic integrity. Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in severe penalties.
- Feedback: Students will receive feedback on their performance to aid in their learning process. This will include areas of strength and aspects needing improvement.
Conclusion
This grading policy is intended to be fair and transparent, providing students with clear expectations. Students are encouraged to approach the instructor with any questions or concerns regarding their grades or this policy.
Attendance Policy
Overview
Attendance is a crucial part of the learning experience in this course. Students are expected to be engaged and present for all scheduled class sessions. This policy outlines the expectations and consequences regarding attendance.
Attendance Requirements
- Scheduled Sessions: The course consists of 15 scheduled sessions. Attendance at each session is mandatory.
- On-Time Attendance: Students are expected to arrive on time for each session. Lateness disrupts not only the individual’s learning experience but also the class as a whole.
Absences
- Allowable Absences: Students are permitted a maximum of two absences without penalty. These absences are meant to accommodate unforeseen circumstances such as illness or emergencies.
- Penalty for Exceeding Absences: Each absence beyond the allowable two will result in a penalty to the student’s final grade. For example, a grade of A will be reduced to an A- for the third absence.
- Severe Penalty for Excessive Absences: A student who misses five or more classes will automatically receive a final grade of F for the course.
Lateness
- Counting Lateness: Arriving late to class will be recorded as half an absence.
- Accumulation of Lateness: Every two instances of lateness will be equivalent to one full absence. This will count towards the two-absence grace period.
- Penalty for Excessive Lateness: Similar to absences, exceeding the two-absence grace period with accumulated lateness will result in a final grade penalty.
Reporting Absences
- Students are expected to inform the instructor in advance (when possible) about any planned absences.
- In cases of emergency or sudden illness, students should notify the instructor as soon as feasible.
Exceptions
- Exceptions to this policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis for serious and documented reasons, such as medical emergencies or significant personal difficulties.
- Students seeking an exception should provide appropriate documentation to support their request.
Responsibility
- It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed work or material covered during their absence.
- Students should coordinate with classmates or utilize available course resources to ensure they are up to date with the course content.
Conclusion
Regular and punctual attendance is expected and will be factored into the student’s final grade. This policy is designed to encourage a professional standard of commitment and accountability, reflecting the expectations students will encounter in their future careers.
No-Cell Phone Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to foster an environment of focus, engagement, and respect in the classroom. To ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate fully and without distraction, the following no-cell phone policy will be strictly enforced.
Policy
- Prohibition of Cell Phones in Classroom: Cell phones must be turned off or set to silent mode and stored out of sight (e.g., in a bag or pocket) during class time. Cell phones should not be placed on tables, desks, or in any visible location within the classroom.
- No Use During Class: The use of cell phones for calling, texting, checking notifications, or any other purpose is strictly prohibited during class time. This includes sending or reading messages, browsing the internet, using social media, or any other cell phone activity.
- Leaving Classroom for Urgent Use: If a student needs to make an urgent call or respond to a message, they must step out of the classroom to do so. This should be done discreetly and without causing disruption to the class.
- Zero Tolerance: There are no exceptions to this policy. It applies to all students equally, regardless of their reasons for wanting to use their cell phone.
Consequences
- Immediate Effect on Participation Grade: Any student found using their cell phone during class will receive a zero for participation and engagement for that day. This rule will be applied consistently to ensure fairness and adherence to the policy.
- Repeated Violations: Students who repeatedly violate the no-cell phone policy may face further disciplinary action, which could include a meeting with the course instructor or academic advisor, and may impact their overall grade in the course.
Rationale
- The rationale behind this strict policy is to promote a learning environment where all students can concentrate, participate, and engage without the distractions and interruptions caused by cell phones.
- This policy also prepares students for professional environments where cell phone use may be restricted during meetings, presentations, and collaborative work sessions.
Responsibilities
- Students are responsible for managing their communication needs in a way that respects the learning environment and adheres to this policy.
- Instructors will enforce this policy consistently and fairly throughout the duration of the course.
Conclusion
Adherence to the no-cell phone policy is expected from all students. This policy is in place to enhance the educational experience for everyone and to cultivate a respectful and focused classroom atmosphere.
No Social Media Policy
Use of social media is strictly prohibited during class; computers and devices in the lab are to be used solely for class-related work.
