stream Ecology, Spring 2004

COURSE POLICIES


Attendance – Your attendance at every class meeting is required.  Not only will important information be presented in lecture, class will often include interactive activities.  Many in-class activities and assignments will be graded, as will participation in discussions and other activities.  Unexcused absences from these activities will forfeit these points.  Additionally, important information about how to complete class assignments and prepare for exams will be given in class.  Finally, in order to perform well on exams, you will need to understand information presented in class.  If you must miss class, consult me in advance.

Participation – One of my goals with this class is to make it interactive.  I believe that you will learn more if you are actively engaged in the material.  Therefore, lectures will be supplemented with in-class activities.  You will be expected to participate in these activities in a way that is respectful of yourself, your classmates, and our learning environment (i.e., take it seriously).  Please note that serious participation in class activities will contribute to your grade.

Technology – E-mail and a course website will be used to facilitate communication and to disseminate information.  You must have an email account and check email on a regular basis.  Assignments and course information will be posted on the course website (http://www.unc.edu/~welcha/ecology); check this site regularly!

Collaborative learning – For many assignments in this course, it may be helpful (or required) to work with other students, and I encourage you to do so.  However, you are responsible for the ownership of your work.

Academic honesty – Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  In a case of academic dishonesty, the student will receive zero credit for the affected exam, assignment, or activity (in accordance with University policy).  Blatant or repeated cases of academic dishonesty will be turned over to the University administration.  Please note:  Plagiarism is ANY use of words or ideas produced by another person without proper attribution.  This includes, but is not limited to, turning in work not solely produced by yourself, failing to give proper credit to sources of information or ideas, and presenting someone else’s words as your own (i.e., by failing to paraphrase adequately).

Respectful conduct in class – You are expected to be respectful of others during class.  Please do not cause disruptions, including interrupting someone who is speaking, chatting with your neighbors, allowing cell phones to ring, or arriving late for class.

Assignments – Assignments must be turned in on time for full credit.  Assignments that are less than 12 hours late will lose 5% of the total possible points.  After that, assignments will lose 10% of the total possible points for each day the assignment is late.  NO points will be given for assignments turned in after the assignment is discussed in class, handed back, or a key posted.


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