This statement applies only to lecture sections taught by Gale Rhodes, and takes precedence over any conflicting statements elsewhere.
I try to be a reasonable and compassionate person. To maximize my opportunity to help you with chemistry, but also to minimize boring discussions of what can go wrong in our lives, I build a great deal of flexibility into my course policies, providing automatic allowance for the occasional unfortunate occurrence without significant effect on your grade. There is much generosity built into these policies, but the generosity ends there. Please do not ask for exceptions.
Notice to Disabled Students: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please inform me during the first week of the semester, after consulting with the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities (780-4706). For problems with writing or study skills, make an appointment at the Learning Center (780-4228) or the Counseling Center, (780-4050).
Assignments: On exams, you are accountable for all assigned material, even though I will not cover all the material in class. As the course progresses, you should develop greater ability to read and use the text. I will try to cover the most difficult concepts in class and leave the rest for you. If you have difficulty with problems, concepts, or sections that I do not cover, ask me about them in class, in my office, or on the phone.
Attendance at class: I expect you to attend class. I sincerely believe that attending class regularly will improve your performance. I may make announcements in class, such as changes in exam dates or course policies. You are responsible for all announcements and for all material covered in class, even if you do not attend.
Study Questions: Study questions are required at all classes, unless specified. If you must miss class, email your study questions to me before class begins in order to receive credit.
Attendance at exams: No early, late, or makeup exams -- no exceptions. If you miss an exam, whatever the reason, your grade for that exam will be the average of your other scaled exam scores, minus one letter grade (ten points). This applies to all exams, including the final exam. If you miss more than one exam, you cannot pass the course.
PLEASE NOTE: It is not advisable to skip an exam because of this no-makeup policy. Preparing intensively for exams is an important part of your learning. If you choose to skip an exam, you will undoubtedly compromise your learning in that section of the course and hurt your performance on subsequent exams. In addition to the grade penalty, if you miss an exam, I cannot lower the weight of your worst exam score, nor can I consider such intangibles as improvement in arriving at your final grade. For more details, see Grading Policy.
Attendance at Quizzes: If you miss a 10-point quiz, you may take it before the beginning of a subsequent class with a 1-point reduction in score for each class period that has passed after the quiz is first given. Please let me know when you want to take it, and come to class 15 minutes early.
Projects, Proposals, Seminar Abstracts -- any graded work except exams: Projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed in the course schedule. The only way to get full credit for your work is to hand it in on time. I reduce grades on late assignments by 1/2 of a letter grade (5% of the maximum possible grade) plus an additional 1/2 of a letter grade per 24 hours late, down to a minimum grade of 60%. I do not accept any late work after the last day of regular classes each semester or session.
Consulting and Advising: Click here for my office hours. Send me your tired, your poor, your confused, lost, harried, or just plain lonely. If you are having problems with this course, I can suggest study methods that will work, if you will apply them immediately. See me NOW, before the grim examiner is at your door, because my study methods take time -- no last-minute measures can help you master biochemistry.
End-of-Semester Blues: I do not give the grade of I (incomplete), and I try to avoid late W (withdraw). One exception: I will aprove a late W within 48 hours of the second exam, even if it comes after the last date for W. In all other cases, you must be carrying a grade of C or better before I will consider approving a late W.
Winter Storms or Other Cancellations -- Automatic Adjustment of Schedule: If classes are cancelled on an exam day, I will give the exam at the next meeting of the class. If any classes immediately before an exam are cancelled, I will still give the exam as scheduled. Call 780-4800 to find out if USM classes are affected by the weather.
CHY 563 Syllalbus