COURSE POLICIES INFORMATION (Spring 2013)

 

The following policies are used in all sections of my courses; this information is subject to change.

 

Attendance:

The instructor will not provide points for attendance, but students are expected to attend all lecture presentations as scheduled.  An attendance sheet may be circulated at some point during a lecture to record whether students were present or absent. If a student cannot attend lecture, the instructor is not obligated to provide lecture notes or other materials presented in class during the day the student was out.

 

Physically-disabled students who are unable to use building elevators due to their mechanical failure and who are thus unable to attend class should contact the instructor as soon as possible about the situation. Opportunities to complete missed coursework or exams will be provided in this particular case.

 

Class Setting:

Since this is a university setting and course, mature adult behavior is expected.  All university rules and regulations apply and will be enforced.

 

Cellular telephones are not necessary to a student’s learning experience in the classroom and are probably distracting to others. Accordingly, they must be turned-off, unused, and silent at all times unless specifically permitted by the instructor.  In addition, use of laptop computers should only be used to type class notes; other uses such as checking email, sending messages, surfing the web, etc. are forbidden.  Students who defy this policy may be immediately dismissed from class.

 

In the spirit of active learning, students are very much invited and encouraged to actively participate in the course during lecture by asking questions and offering comments.

 

Disability Statement:

Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a documented disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation from the Student Success Center within the first two weeks of the semester.

 

Grades:

All final letter grades in all sections are based on the following scale:

A = 90.00% to 100.00% of all regular points possible

B = 80.00% to 89.99% of all regular points possible

C = 70.00% to 79.99% of all regular points possible

D = 60.00% to 69.99% of all regular points possible

F = 00.00% to 59.99% of all regular points possible.

 

Unless an error has been made in the data entry of scores, all grades are final. “Borderline” cases will be considered for a higher letter grade on the basis of in-class, participation, improvement trends in exam scores, attendance, and the general quality of work.  Borderline consideration is given to students who have final scores within about 0.5% of the next higher letter grade (e.g. from 89.50% to 89.99%).  Unless provided by the instructor within an exam or assignment to all students, extra credit work cannot be offered by the student and will not be accepted by the instructor at any time before, during, or after the semester.

 

Problem Resolution:

The instructor’s goal is to create a positive learning experience for all students in every class.

 

If a student has a problem that is affecting or could potentially affect his or her performance in the course, he or she should consult with the instructor as soon as possible so as to not let it “get out of hand.”  If a student is dissatisfied with the instructor’s response, he or she should contact the Chair of the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources for further potential guidance and/or resolution.

 

Comments on how the instructor can possibly improve the course are welcome at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

Office Location:

201B Johnson EPS Bldg.

 

Surface Mail:

Agr, Geosciences, & Nat. Res.

256 Brehm Hall

The Univ of Tennessee at Martin

Martin, Tennessee 38238-0001

USA

 

Email:

jrogers@utm.edu

 

Telephone:

731.881.7442 (My office)

731.881.7260 (Dept office)