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Yes there is a class grade curve. The curve is applied at the end of the semester when all work has been completed. The class average will determine the middle of the "C" range. All of the other grade ranges will be adjusted accordingly. An example is - if the class average is a 69%, then the "C" range will be 65 - 74, "B" range will be 75 - 84, etc.
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Yes there is extra credit available. There is a total of an additional 3% of your grade that can be earned through extra credit. There are a variety of ways to earn extra credit. Consult your syllabus and/or the class website link "Extra Credit" for more information about how it works.
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The extra credit points are added at the end of the semester when all extra credit has been turned in. If you turned in extra credit and you followed the appropriate procedure, then you can assume that the points will be added to your grade.
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Extra credit is read and recorded but not usually returned to students. If you would like it back, then let me know at the end of the semester and I will return it to you.
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Each student is allowed to miss one exam and make it up at a later date/time. If you are going to miss an exam you must notify me BEFORE the exam takes place. You can call me, email me, speak to me in person, or leave me a note (carrier pigeon and smoke signals are also acceptable) to inform me that you will not be present for the exam. The exam must be taken before the next class occurs. Consult the class syllabus for more information about the missed exam policy.
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Sometimes it is possible to take an exam early. It all depends on how much time there is between the completion of writing the exam and when it is scheduled to occur. See me and we can discuss your options.
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You are always welcome to stop by my office to ask for help. Please be sure to first do what you can to understand the material on your own (read the textbook, study the notes), but if you are still confused, then please come by and I will do my best to help you understand the difficult concept. If you are still in need of help, there is tutoring available through the Campus Tutoring Center.
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I have regular office hours available each week. The times are stated in the syllabus, on the door of my office, and on the class website. However if these times do not work for you, please contact me to schedule a different time. My office is located in the Natural Sciences building (the same building your class is located in) on the south side first floor: NS-110A (there is a map on the class website).
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Student grades are posted online all semester long. The grades are continually updated as new assignments, exams, and quizzes are taken. The link to the grade website is on the main Astronomy 100 website.
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Sometimes mistakes are made. This is why it is important that you pick up your graded work and frequently check your grade online. If you notice that the grade you earned on the assignment, exam or quiz is different than what is recorded on the grade website, then notify me right away. You MUST show me the graded work that is in question. NO EXCEPTIONS.
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It sends me a message that you care about how you are doing in this class when you pick up your graded assignments. I work hard at grading your assignments and it is a bit insulting to me if you are not interested in the results. At the end of the semester when I am assigning final grades, do you really want me to think "Hmm.. that students is very close to a passing grade... it is unfortunate that they didn't care enough to pick up their graded work. Maybe I will just let their grade be what it is."
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Please make every effort to make it to class on time. It is disruptive to me and to the class when you arrive late. If you are unable to make it on time, please QUIETLY enter the class through the back door. Be mindful of how your fellow students and your professor will be annoyed by your disruption.
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After the first two class meetings, I will no longer take attendance for the rest of the semester. It is my firm belief that students should come to class because they have some desire to be there rather than the feeling of needing to be there to get their name on an attendance sheet. There are no points given or taken away if you are present or not. If you feel that you are unable to come to class on a particular day or if you just feel like you don't want to be in class, then PLEASE don't come to class. Note: Most of the exam questions will come from the material covered in class each day.
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If there is an announcement that is made in class, or if there is an assignment that has been given out, information will be posted on the CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS webpage. If you miss class, consult the CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS webpage and look for the date of the class you missed. If there is nothing posted for that date, then nothing was announced or handed out in class. WARNING: It sometimes takes me until the next day to post information so be sure to check a few times.
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The textbook and class lecture notes are both available at OFF CAMPUS BOOKS bookstore (a map to their location can be found here). The Palomar College Bookstore ONLY carries the textbook - not the class lecture notes.
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The college library keeps one reserve copy of the textbook in the RESERVE area. However, it should be noted that this copy cannot leave the library. If you cannot afford the textbook or lecture notes, the College has several ways to assist you through student financial aid. I encourage you to seek assistance through the Financial Aid Office.