Classroom and Laboratory Guidelines
In order to create and maintain a creative, productive and positive learning
environment for Physics we need to keep a degree of focus and
mutual respect. I would rather not set a long list of ‘class rules’
or ‘dos and don’ts’ but we do need to have a minimum set
of guidelines so that everyone can safely and effectively get what she or he needs from our time
together.
- Come to class prepared with a notebook, a writing implement, a calculator, and a ruler.
- You can support learning in the class by listening critically and respectfully when
others speak and participating actively in discussion and activities individually
and in groups.
- We will be working with equipment and chemicals that can be dangerous
if not handled properly. It is not safe to handle equipment or substances
in the classroom without checking with me first. Much of the equipment is
expensive and delicate and must be handled carefully if we want to keep it
in working order for future use.
Due Dates
You should hand in all work by the due date OR make sure
you have my permission to hand it in late if you hope to receive full credit for it.
You have to get permission BEFORE
the due date (that is, before the beginning of the class in which the work
is due). This is the standard way to deal with due dates at university,
so you might as well develop these habits now. Unexcused late work will have 10% taken off for each day it is late up to a maximum of 40% off. Any student who falls behind by two assignments in a quarter will be asked to work in the office during class time until the work is completed.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is defined as any act intended to gain credit for work
that you have not actually done. Examples of academic dishonesty are:
peeking at someone else’s exam paper, copying homework or using quotes
in an essay or project without giving a proper citation. We will spend
some time in class developing strategies to help you avoid accidental acts of this sort.
Laboratory Work
Experimentation, demonstration and discovery are essential to any course in
Physical Sciences. For this reason we will spend about one class per
week in the science laboratory (room 17). You will be
required to sign a
safety contract before participating in lab work.
Technology
Due to the ever-growing importance of information technology in all aspects
of our lives, and especially within the post-secondary academic world, we
will be using the computer lab to actively engage the course material.
You will be using the internet, databases and educational software and simulations
related to course themes.
You will each have a Multimedia CD-ROM (Cutnell and Johnson, Physics) for use at home and in the computer lab. Please be sure to take care of your CD and bring it to classes in the computer room.