MAC 2312: Calculus II
Course, Department, College, and University Policies
Back to Course page
Grading Policies
Plus/Minus: The University's Grading Policy includes plus and minus grades. A copy of the Policy on Plus and Minus Grades at USF can be found in the USF Undergraduate Catalog. I will not give Plus or Minus grades on homework or exams, although I will give them for the course grade. For each exam, I will give a grading scale (based upon a curve) for guidance. I will use the curves to give each exam's curve comparable weight (scale and shift to that the lowest A maps to 90, lowest B to 80, etc. for each exam). After weighting each component, I will compute a course score between zero and one hundred. Scores within 2 points of multiple of 10 will be modified with a Plus or Minus, as appropriate.
Incompletes: In order to qualify for a grade of an “I” (incomplete)
  1. The student must only have “a small portion” (USF technical language) of coursework remaining.
  2. THE STUDENT MUST OTHERWISE HAVE A PASSING GRADE (C or better) TO RECEIVE AN I.
  3. The student has TWO academic semesters (I believe that means a spring and fall, doesn’t count summer) to complete the work, or THE GRADE WILL BECOME AN “IF” which affects the gpa just like any F.
  4. Students are not required to re-register for the class during the semester in which they complete the work. A change of grade will be done.
  5. An Incomplete grade contract must be completed and kept on file in the math office. This protects the student and the professor and saves some hassle if out of town. The student and professor also each get a copy.
  6. For the complete “low down” on the “I” policy see Grades, Scholarship Requirements, and Review Procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog
S/U: S/U policy for Arts&Sciences B.A.\B.S.:
  1. S/U contracts must be negotiated IN WRITING WITHIN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF CLASSES, and cannot be done retroactively. It’s like a bet, the student going for the S/U is saying they are not willing to stake their GPA on this class. The math office will keep a copy of the form on file send a copy to the registrar.
  2. S/U option cannot be taken if the class fulfills a part of the persons’ major requirement (I’m assuming that includes explicitly stated supporting courses) unless that is the only grading option for the course.
  3. Many students may not be aware that S/U’s cannot be used to fulfill general distribution requirements or Gordon Rule requirements. Students should be advised of this. If they are unclear how that affects them, they should speak to an advisor IN THEIR DEPARTMENT about the regulations.
  4. It is the professor’s discretion whether or not to even allow S/U grades.
  5. Again for more information check the Undergraduate Catalog under College of Arts and Sciences general requirements for B.A./B.S./B.S.W. as well as the previously mentioned section about Grades, Scholarships, etc.
FERPA: The Family Education Rights and Privacy act ("FERPA" or "The Buckley Amendment") prohibits USF's release of student information, including grades except under circumstances designed to insure student privacy.

I will not post final grades, although there may be means to make it acceptable within FERPA. I will not send grades via e-mail. Final grades will be available through OASIS fairly soon after I submit them.

USF Policy: Students are referred to the Undergraduate Catalog (particularly the sections on Academic Policies and Procdures and Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of Academic Process concerning university policy on cheating.
Accomodations
Disability: Any student with a disability is encouraged to meet with me privately during the first week of class to discuss accommodations. Each student must bring a current Memorandum of Accomodations from the Office of Student Disability Services which is prerequisite for receiving accommodations. Accommodated examinations through the Office of Student Disability Services require two weeks notice. All course documents are available in alternate format if requested in the students Memorandum of Accommodations.
Religious: Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.
Behavior
Test taking: Hats which block students' eyes not permitted during exams. Calculators, cell phones, and other manner of electronic gadgets are not permited during exams.
Cell phones: There are legitimate reasons to keep a cell phone on during class, such as an on-call job or a sick child. If you do not have such a reason, turn off your cell phone. If you must have a cell phone on during class, give me advanced notice (just before class, or early during the semester if this will be on-going). You may step out into the hall to take your call, and then return to class. If you have not given me notice, you are not welcome to create any further distraction by returning to the class room after your call--you can collect your things after class.
Blackboard mailing list: Blackboard provides nice tools for communicating with your classmates. However, I am told that the university considers such mailings as an extension of the classroom environment. Please show respect to your classmates and to me. If the mailing list is abused, I will, after one warning, disable it (at least temporarily).
E-mail: Any email to me which does not have a subject line containing MAC2218 is likely to end up in my spam box and be read only several days later, if at all. This is the default subject for Blackboard's email feature--leave it there.
Uncollected work: Any exams not collected before the next exam may be destroyed. It is the student's responsibility to collect them in a timely manner. I will work very hard to have them graded for next class meeting after they are given. Similarly homework not collected within a month of its return may be destroyed.
Returned work: Students are responsible for keeping all work that is returned to them. In the event of a score/grade dispute, this work must be available.
Back to Course page