General Policies, Rules, and Regulations by the University, College, Department, and COURSE instructor

Ethics and Honorable Behavior

All Penn State, Eberly College of Science, and Astronomy Department policies regarding ethics and honorable behavior apply to this course. These can be found at the following links (they open on new pages)

http://senate.psu.edu/policies-and-rules-for-undergraduate-students/47-00-48-00-and-49-00-grades/#49-20
https://aappm.psu.edu/policy/g-9-academic-integrity
https://science.psu.edu/current-students/integrity/policies

In this particular course, you may collaborate in a limited way with your classmates in small groups on homeworks and other assignments, unless you are instructed otherwise in the syllabus or in the assignments. Specifically, you may exchange ideas (brainstorm) but you may not share your final solutions of homework problems, reports, or other products of your work. Some assignments are collaborative activities during which you will work in small groups and in the end present the work of the entire group. In all other exercises and activities (in and out of class), you have to work individually and present your own work in your homework solutions, reports, or other work products, unless instructed otherwise.

Class Etiquette

Students are expected to be civil and considerate in class. They should refrain from any actions that distract their classmates or the instructor or otherwise disrupt the class. A specific example of disruptive behavior is using cell phones and other electronic devices unrelated to the class session: such devices should be turned off and put away during class.

The Eberly College of Science has a Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation This code embodies the values that the college hopes the faculty, staff, and students possess and will endorse to make The Eberly College of Science a place where every individual feels respected and valued, as well as challenged and rewarded.

Learning Assistance And Resources

The Eberly College of Science is committed to the academic success of students enrolled in the College's courses and undergraduate programs. When in need of help, students can utilize various College and University wide resources for learning assistance as listed at the Academic Support web page.

Disability Accommodation

Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) web site provides information about the available resources and contact information for the coordinator at each campus.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, students must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: the documentation guidelines are here. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Educational Equity and Reporting of Bias

Consistent with University Policy AD29, students who believe they have experienced or observed a hate crime, an act of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment that occurs at Penn State are urged to report these incidents as outlined on the University's Report Bias web page.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients' cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation. Here is how to find out more about these services:

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

COVID-19, Influenza, and Other Health Matters

The University status and other relevant healt announcements can be found at the University Status web site. Please also see the information provided ion the "Stop the Flu!" web page. On this page you will find guidelines and advice on vaccines, masking, testing, and quarantine and isolation. See also the Testing, Contact Tracing, and Quarantine guidelines at the Healthcare and Medical Services respiratory symptoms page. If you are sick, and especially if you suspect that you have the flu, COVID, or a similarly contagious disease, please be considerate of others. If you have to miss class, let your instructor know as soon as you can.

If the instructor has to isolate because of COVID-19, or the flu, or another seasonal communicative disease, the course will shift to virtual (on-line) mode until the instructor is able to resume teaching in person. In such a case the students will get information on when and how to make the transition. Virtual mode will involve lectures and office hours on Zoom. If the instructor becomes seriously ill and cannot even teach the class remotely other measures may have to be takes (e.g., a backup instructor may take over).