Geology 562 -- Grading

problem sets	40%	5-7
mid-term exam	30%	1
final exam	30%	1

Problem sets will normally take 3-6 hours to complete, on average. The first two will be elementary; later ones grow in sophistication and in their use of the computer.

The in-class exams will be in late March. v Time allotted for the test is from two to four hours. Don't want people under time stress, but don't want to make it a take home either. Take as much time as you want-- within limits....(no sleeping bags please...)

The final will be in exam week. It will be of the same scope as the mid term but covers less new material. It will probably be a take home of some type. We may also substitute a class project for those interested, perhaps on MODFLOW or MODPATH

Honor code is in effect, i.e. no collusion between students during exams.

There is no absolute grading scale, so don’t worry about that. Likely the top 2-3 averages will get A’s, the rest B’s. If the class performs really well, I’ll increase the number of A’s I give (and the converse!) but its often about 50-50. If you basically understand the course material, I won’t give anyone a C.

The problem sets (based on past years experience) can tend to "back up" on people. Therefore -- in line with comments from earlier students -- I enforce problem set deadlines. For each week or portion thereof a set is late, there will be a 25% deduction from the grade. I may extend the deadline for the whole class if I feel you have not had the necessary class material. The deadline (I hate deadlines!) is for your own benefit -- KEEP UP WITH THE PROBLEM SETS! If you get too far behind, the end of semester becomes a nightmare.

Joe