Physics Course Guidelines
School Year 2007 - 2008
Teacher: Mrs. Heyden

Grading:
Homework, classwork, and class participation – 20%
Quizzes – 20%
Tests – 30%
Lab & project reports, lab notebook, and presentations - 30%

Homework - Homework assignments will be given out at the end of the class session and posted on the class web site each day. Unless otherwise stated, assignments will be due the next class period. Homework will frequently be discussed and corrected in class. Your name, class period, and date should be written at the top right hand corner of each assignment. No late homework will be accepted unless you are absent on the day it is given or due. If you are absent on the day it is due, you must pass in the assignment on the day you return. If you are absent on the day an assignment is given, you must meet with me to make special arrangements to make up the work. Two free homework assignments will be granted each quarter so that your two lowest homework grades for that quarter will be dropped.  Your participation in class (class discussions, group projects, desire to be involved, overall preparedness) will help to enhance your learning experience. A part of your grade will reflect the level of your contribution to the class.

Quizzes – A quiz will generally be given after a major topic or skill is covered. Quizzes may or may not be announced. Surprise quizzes are always a possibility! There will be no make-up quizzes. One free quiz grade will be granted each quarter so that the lowest quiz grade for that quarter will be dropped.   

Tests – In addition to the final exam, tests will be given at least four times a quarter. Tests will be announced at least one week in advance.

Reports, presentation and participation - Laboratory exercises will be announced at least three class periods in advance so students can prepare properly. A written report will be assigned at the end of each exercise. In addition, each student will be required to prepare a report, presentation, or demonstration for the class each quarter. Students will select their own topics, however, the project subjects must relate to the course and students must obtain teacher permission in advance. Additional group and individual projects may also be assigned.

Class Notebooks – Although class notebooks will not normally be reviewed or graded during the course, it is strongly recommended that you keep one. Notebooks should include all of your class lecture notes, corrected homework, classroom exercises, and handouts. This reference can be used to help prepare for unit tests and the final exam.

Laboratory Journals – Each student will be required to have laboratory journal. The journal will be used to prepare for and record observation of lab exercises. Students who forget to bring their laboratory journals or are not adequately prepared on lab days will not be permitted to complete or make up the exercise. Laboratory journals will be collected and graded at least once a quarter.

All students are invited to expand the course by bringing to class any related material that they may encounter (newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, Internet sites, etc.). We will try to include it where possible.

As the school year progresses, the guidelines to this course may evolve and are subject to change. Any revision in the course will be communicated as soon as possible to each class section.