Courses Chem 4403

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICY for CHEMISTRY 4403. FALL 2003

INSTRUCTOR - Dr. T. E. SNIDER, SC 225 L, 581-2890, teds@cameron.edu

Text: Biochemistry by Garrett & Grisham, 2^nd edition, Saunders Publishing

GRADING SCALE: A (91-100%), B `82-90.9%), C (70-81.9%), D (60-69.9%) of points possible where your points are first multiplied by the scaling factor you have earned on your SCALING QUIZ. 

GRADED PAPERS: There will be a classroom participation(CP), homework, quizzes, and tests. All scores except CP will be returned in a fraction form of "points earned" divided by points possible (example: 43/52, or 43 points earned out of 52 points possible). There will be 132 CP points to be earned by being present on time and by answering questions correctly in class. You will receive one CP point per lecture period (less those we do not meet and or are dedicated to testing) for each lecture you attend on time (defined as you were present and logged yourself in with your keypad before the lecture started). To know your grade at any moment, keep a running total of points earned and points possible or come ask me when there is time to calculate your grade. Simply do the appropriate multiplication by the Scaling Factor, do the division and refer to the "Grading Scale". 

ATTENDANCE AND TESTING: Attendance is not mandatory nor will you be penalized for absences. However you cannot earn CP points if absent. It is my belief that good scholastic habits of turning in assignments on time, taking quizzes and tests when scheduled, and class attendance are to be encouraged and rewarded. To encourage this ....... 

1) Homework assignments are due at the end of the class period of the day specified. Often one (1) point of the points earned is granted only for papers turned in on time. Papers not turned in on time will be accepted and graded up to the time that the entire class is graded (that is not turned back) at this point, a "L" for "late-but not graded" will be entered in the grade record. If the homework is not turned in prior to the return of the homework to the class, a none is recorded and counts as a zero. 

2) Quizzes - The course will have a series of quizzes (8-12 in number) that will average 40-60 points value each. Each QUIZ will have 2 or 3 points as part of the total possible, that will be awarded only when the Quiz is taken during the specified time. Make-up quizzes are not given. If you plan on being absent prior arrangements must be made to allow you to take the quiz. You must take the quiz before the next scheduled class period. You may do this only once. Generally if you are not able to take before the next class period then you will not be able to make it up. Quizzes will be un-announced. You will usually have a quiz every Friday or Monday with possibly the exception of shortened weeks, midterm week, and other announced dates. If events require that you miss one quiz, the next quiz taken will count double (as a translated percentage) less the points for promptness. If the last quiz is missed then the lowest quiz will count double. Any other Quizzes missed will be recorded as "none" and count as zero points earned divided by points possible. If and only if all quizzes are taken and all HW is turned in ("L" counts but "None" does not), a bonus of 25 points will be added to the points earned column. 

3) A multiple choice midterm examination and final will be given. Midterm = 150 points, October 13, 2003, Final = 200 points, 3:00 pm, December 12, 2003. 

4) A "Scaling Exam" will be given September 10, Oct 8, Oct 29, Nov 12, Dec 3. The scaling exam will be graded on a 100 % basis with a point value of one. After you have taken a Scaling Exam and received 100% additional exams count for bonus points. These are 6 bonus points per exam and are graded "all or nothing" for the bonus. The scaling exams will consist of four structures to draw and three structures to name (spelling counts). If an acid/salt you are expected to draw or name it correctly in any pH form. The pH form will be specified. The compounds you will be tested over are the amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, threonine, and glutamic acid; carboxylic acids/salts, acetic acid, propanoic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid; nucleic bases, guanine, uracil, cytosine, adenine, thymine; nucleosides adenosine, uridine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine; nucleic acids adenylic acid, guanylic acid, uridylic acid, cytidylic acid, and thymidylic acid; the corresponding deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleic acids; and sugar and sugar derivatives of glycerine, glyceraldehyde, ribose, glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, and maltose (alpha or beta forms and as stick representations, Haworth representations, or as chair conformations). The first scaling exam will have only the amino acids on it, the second amino acids and sugars, the third will add the carboxylic acids, and the last two will have all compounds. 

CHEATING - Dishonesty in all forms is to be avoided. If I am sure that you have achieved or attempted to achieve any part of your grade by any manner other than your knowledge or luck expressed in the form of the written assignments as graded above, you will receive a "F" grade for the course and the Dean will be notified of the action and cause.