General Information/ Fall 2008          

Instructor: Johanna Halsey    Office: W-114      Phone: 431-8554     E-mail:  halsey@sunydutchess.edu     Website:  http://faculty.sunydutchess.edu/halsey/

Graded Material:  Computing your Grade :  Since I count all grades on a point basis, at any time during the semester you can compute your own grade by performing the following calculation:   (Points Received to date / Points Possible to date) X 100

Your points will accumulate from:

·         In Class Tests - Typically 100 points each (Depending on the nature of the material and the specific course, you will have 2 to 4 in class tests.)

·        Other Graded Material - Typically 300 - 500 points will be generated from a total of 6 - 10 assignments which are specifically designated as Graded Material.  This graded material is different than the daily practice exercises you will be assigned which help you learn the material.  The graded assignments can be from a number of sources (Computer work, Blackboard Discussions, designated problems, etc).  More specific information will be given out for your particular class.  Points from the individual elements in this category typically range from 20 – 100 points depending on the length and topics covered.  

·         Cumulative Final Assessment -   200 points possible

·         Participation Grade – Optional - but HIGHLY suggested:  This grade can be used to replace a maximum of 2 regular graded assignments or one major assignment or test which you submitted when due (not any part of the cumulative final) whose combined total possible points is not more than the participation points accumulated (Maximum of 100 points).  If you do not want to replace a grade, the participation grade can be used as an additional component of the semester grade.  In order to obtain the full 100 points for this option, a minimum of 30 points MUST be accumulated by midterm time - though you can accumulate more by then.   More detailed information on this option is available on my web site.  http://faculty.sunydutchess.edu/halsey/

Other Course Material:

• Throughout the semester, I will be assigning practice exercises and reading material from the textbook.  Since the only way to learn mathematics is to work with it, it is essential that you set up a schedule that allows you to regularly read the textbook and work with this practice material.  

• The practice exercises are not collected and graded, yet they can contribute towards your Participation Grade  (See specific information at my web site about this option.), and will help you process the material and innuendoes of the course so that you can be successful with graded turn ins as well as tests and quizzes.  The in class tests for the course will be based on the practice exercises assigned, the material covered in class, and the material covered on the graded homework- so it is essential that you work regularly with this material.

• For a college level course, the rule of thumb is that you should plan to spend at least 2 hours working on course material outside of class for every hour in class.  This time is spent reviewing notes, reading the textbook, working on specific practice exercises, working on turn in homework, seeking extra help when necessary, discussing ideas with other students, etc. 

• Rarely can a person be successful with a college level math course without spending significant time working with the ideas outside of the classroom. 

• I will always allow time in class to address any questions from the reading, practice exercises and/or other assignments, but it is your responsibility to be ready to ask specific questions.  I cannot know what specific material you need more help with if you don't give me a clear indication of where you are having difficulty. 

 

Policy on Late Work Or Missed TESTS: 

My best advice to you is to treat your education as one of your most important jobs. 

• If you are going to miss a class when an assignment is due for any reason, or if an unexpected event occurs in your life on a turn in due date or test date, let me know.  Keep in mind that if you were going to miss your job for any reason, you would let your boss know, or else you would expect to be fired! 

• Only when I am kept informed do I have the opportunity to work with you on mutually agreed upon adjustments to due dates, etc. 

• You can e-mail me or leave me a voice mail message, but must do so in a timely fashion - just as you would for a job.

 

FINAL ASSESSMENT:  

There will be no exemptions from the cumulative final assessment. The final assessment gives you the opportunity to pull the separate components of the course together, and is therefore an essential and extremely important part of the learning process. More specific information about the structure and components of the final assessment will be given later in the semester.   

 

ATTENDANCE:  

I am required by state law to keep an accurate record of attendance, but you are not docked points for failure to attend class.  Clearly, regular attendance is important if you are to stay current in the course. If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to check if anything was handed out, or graded papers were returned, as well as to get on track with the material covered. It is not acceptable to try to get an extension on an assignment because you were not there the day it was handed out!   I will post all handouts at my web page within 24 hours of handing them out to the class.  You should also make arrangements with a classmate to obtain any notes from that day.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 

It is essential that you realize how important your academic integrity is to your future.  It is only by maintaining this integrity in your work at all times that you will receive the full benefit of your education.  The Student Handbook states that:

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Cheating on examinations
2. Plagiarism, i.e. the use of the words or ideas of others, whether borrowed, purchased or otherwise obtained, without crediting the source.
3. Willingly collaborating with others in any of the above actions which result(s) in work being submitted which is not the student's own.
4. Stealing examinations, falsifying academic records and other such offenses.
5. Submitting work previously presented in another course without permission of instructor.
6. Unauthorized duplication of computer software.

While I fully encourage meaningful discussions and interactions amongst students, any material submitted for a grade must be your own.  You are free to discuss ideas, concepts, practice exercises, material in the text book and course notes with your fellow classmates or tutors, but any graded material must be reflective of your individual understanding of the course material.  If I find evidence of copying or sharing of explanations or mathematical work, you will receive a 0 for that assignment.  If there is more than one such occurrence during the semester, you may end up failing the course.

QUESTIONS:   Always feel free to ask me questions about homework, test grading, handouts, etc. at the end of any class or during my office hours. If you get stuck, are confused, or need guidance, ASK! I try to begin most class periods by giving you the opportunity to ask questions on material that may have given you difficulty. Because of limited class time, I may not be able to address all the questions you have. If this happens, please feel free to ask me for help outside of class. You may also seek help in the Math Center in W-226.