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Assignments

This section should include:

assignment due dates
test dates, particularly the midterm and final
quiz dates
deadlines for reports, group presentations, rough drafts, etc.
policy for late submission of assignments
policy for missing tests or quizzes

Although you do not have to offer the specifics of each assignment (test, report, etc.) in the syllabus, you do need to specify the dates they are due and your policy for late submissions or no-shows at tests. If you choose, briefly describe each assignment, include these details in this section of your syllabus.

If your syllabus does not specify a policy for late grades, makeups, or extra credit, you will have difficulty explaining them later. Whatever you decide on, you must be consistent and stick to the policy for everyone. Most student grievances result from ambiguous course assignment or grade requirements.

As your course progresses, you may notice that you have not allowed enough time for research, presentation preparation, or an unexpected situation may arise, such as textbook unavailability from the library or bookstore. You may decide to offer more time for assignments and change the original deadlines. Give students enough notice to take advantage of the extra time, preferably in writing. Some students may prefer to stick with the original schedule due to other commitments or a planned absence from class. In this case, you may need to reconsider your options to allow everyone to participate.

Usually the entire class is relieved to have more time to prepare and you will have no problems, but be aware that some students may have issues with a date change. After all, they contracted to meet the dates you provided in the syllabus on the first day of class.

Example from Dr. Jane DeWitt's:

Examinations:

Exams will occur on the dates indicated below. There will be three midterm examinations, each worth 100 points. The mandatory final exam will be comprehensive and worth 150 points. No makeup exams will be given.

Exam Dates:

Friday, March 2nd
Monday, April 2nd
Friday, April 27th

I will provide all equations, constants, and conversion factors to you for the exams.

The exams are part multiple choice and part show-your-work. A number two pencil, Scantron (Form 882-ES), and calculator are allowed for the exam. Be on time for exams: you will not receive extra time if you are late. I will post exam solutions and grades will be posted on the bulletin board beside Science 103 and on the Chem 115 Electronic Reserves (Eres) website.

Submit written requests for regrading or corrections along with your exam at the lecture following the lecture the exams are returned.

Quizzes:

There will be five in-class quizzes given on Wednesdays as per the schedule. Quiz problems are based on the homework assignments and lecture materials covered the week prior to the week of the quiz. Each quiz is worth 12.5 points and one quiz will be dropped. No makeup quizzes will be given for any reason.

Ethics:

All work you submit for evaluation in the lecture and the lab must be the your own work. I will report any cheating to the Student Discipline Officer.

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