Official Policies
Academic Honesty
We allow and expect you to help each other learn the course material; thus we encourage
you to collaborate on homework and lab work. Collaboration entails the active participation
of all group members. All members of a group must write their own answers in their
own words and draw their own diagrams and conclusions. Copying another person's work
is strictly prohibited, and is a violation of the Honor Code. Direct quotes and paraphrases
from any source, including assigned reading material, must be properly referenced.
The Honor Code applies to all aspects of this course.
Please review the "Ethics of Scholarship" page or contact the Dean of Studies office if you have any questions.
Student Participation and Attendance
You play a vital role in this class. Active participation in this course includes,
but is not restricted to, interaction in the lectures, discussions, laboratories,
activities, and with outside speakers. When you are absent, you detract from your
teammates' learning. Thus, just as in the workplace, you have an obligation to appear
every day, on time.
Participation and attendance will be recorded daily in lecture through the use of
the "question of the day." The lecturer will ask a question of the class, and you
will have a few minutes to write your answer, draw a diagram, or provide feedback.
You are encouraged to work with your classmates while formulating your answers.
Attendance in laboratory is mandatory. Laboratory work is an essential part of this
course. Therefore, each unexcused absence from lab will result in a 5% loss to your
overall course grade (half a letter grade). If a legitimate conflict arises, you must
talk to your lab instructor at least one week ahead of the conflict. In the case of
illness, you must contact your instructor PRIOR to your lab meeting time. You must
pass the lab in order to pass the course.
Work Outside the Classroom
Expect to spend 6-8 hours of quality concentrated study time outside of class per
week. Integrate what you learn in this class with other aspects of your life. Relate
news stories on the environment, floods, politics, or natural resources to what you've
learned in this class. Discuss environmental science with classmates, friends, and
family.
Pre-Lab Assignments:
Pre-lab assignments will be available on theSpring one week before each lab. The assignment
will be due to your lab instructor before your lab begins, unless otherwise noted.
Not all labs will have a pre-lab assignment but it is your responsibility to check
theSpring each week before lab and complete the assignment. Pre-labs will count toward
your overall lab assignment grade.
Missed Deadlines:
Work is due on the due date. Late work will not be acceptable. Under special circumstances,
and with permission of the instructor, your lab work may be handed in by noon of the
day after the due date with a 5% penalty and 5% additional loss for each subsequent
day.
Missed Exams:
You must be present for all exams. It is not possible to make up exams after the exam
has been given to the class. Under certain circumstances, and with prior approval
from the appropriate instructor, it may be possible to take an exam early.
Grading
| Hour Tests (3 at 12% each) |
36 % |
| Final Project | 14 % |
| Lab Report | 25 % |
| Lab Assignments | 20 % |
| Participation | 5 % |
| Total | 100% |
Pass/Fail Grade (S/U)=73
