Achieve Homework: 13%
iClicker in-class lecture polls: 8%
Reflection Assignments: 5%
Informational Surveys/Quizzes: 2%
Exams: 72%
(Exam 1: 24%)
(Exam 2: 24%)
(Final Exam: 24%)
90.00% - 100% = A-, A, or A+
78.00% - 90.00% = B-, B, or B+
65.00% - 78.00% = C-, C, or C+
52.00% - 65.00% = D-, D, or D+
<52.00% = F
These cut-offs may be shifted downward slightly at the end of the term, depending on course averages. That is, for example, if events warrant, we might go a little below 78% for a “B-”, but never above as the lower cutoff. If you have chosen the P/N option, you must earn the equivalent of a C– to receive a P (pass) in this course.
A course grade of incomplete (I) will be considered in accordance with the University incomplete policy here: incomplete policy.
Achieve Homework: These homework assignments are worked on in the Achieve program and are synced to our Canvas course. Typically you will have two Achieve HW assignments due each week which contain questions relating to the topics that were presented in the lecture periods that week. Achieve HWs are due on Mondays and Thursdays by 11:59pm, each week.
iClicker Questions/Attendance: Each day of lecture class, you will have clicker questions posed during the class period and/or attendance taken. You will need to bring to class each day, a registered iClicker device (either a iClicker2 remote or a smart device) that you will use to submit responses to the clicker questions posed to the class. For more detail regarding how clicker polls will be scored, please see the Course Attendance and Engagement section.
Reflection Assignments: Each week you will complete a short written reflection designed to help you notice how you are learning, where your understanding is strengthening, and what strategies are working best for you as you move through the material. Prompts will be shared at the start of Friday lectures, and your typed responses are due by 11:59pm that same day. These assignments are not a recap of the week, but a chance to think about your learning and engagement with the content.
Informational Surveys and Quizzes: Throughout the term, you will be assigned occasional ungraded or low-stakes surveys and quizzes intended to support communication, confirm engagement with course tools, and gather feedback to improve the learning experience. Therse are not content quizzes. They are checkpoints for shared understanding of course expectations and participation. Examples include the syllabus quiz, mid-quarter feedback, and study guide quizzes. Each survey or quiz will be due on Tuesday in the same week it is assigned.
Exams: There will be two midterm exams during the term and one comprehensive final exam. The two mid-term exams will only include topics that were covered since the previous exam, except as otherwise announced. The final exam will be cumulative. The midterm exams will be held in the evenings at 7pm and the final exam will be held in the evening at 5pm. ***Note that the final exam will be held at an earlier time than the midterm exams. Location for all exams are TBA.
Exam dates:
Midterm Exam 1 - Week 4: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 7 pm. Location: TBA
Midterm Exam 2 - Week 9:Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 at 7 pm. Location: TBA
Final Exam: Evening exam on Tuesday June 9th, 2026 of finals week from 5 - 7 pm*. and Location: TBA
*Note: the final exam will be held at an earlier time in the evening than the midterm exams.
Exam Grade Replacement Opportunity
The final exam is designed to be your strongest opportunity to demonstrate growth and mastery. If your final exam score is higher than one of your midterm exam scores, it can replace your lowest midterm score when your final grades are calculated. To qualify, you must complete both midterm exams. When a replacement occurs, the same final exam score will be assigned to both the final exam grade and the midterm exam grade it replaces. This means your final exam performance counts twice: once as the final, and again as your improved midterm score. This policy exists to encourage meaningful improvement. Consistent effort and deeper understanding often show up later in a term and your grade is built to reflect that upward trajectory.
Late/Make-up policy:
Late work is not accepted for credit in this class and make-up opportunities for missed homework assignments, clicker polls, or reflection assignments will not be provided. Make-up opportunity for exams may be provided - see details below.
Midterm Exams: Midterm exams are scheduled on specific dates and early exams will not be given. If you miss a midterm exam for any reason (including illness or a university-approved absence), you may take a make-up exam during Week 10. Please note that it is in your best interest to take the originally scheduled midterm exam: it provides timely feedback and gives you an opportunity to adjust your studying before those topics reappear on the final exam. Missing more than one scheduled midterm will result in a zero for the second missed exam. Note that for students with AEC accommodations, exams will be administered through the University testing center. Make sure to set up arrangements early as possible with the AEC to coordinate taking your exam.
Final Exam: Early final exams will not be given. A make-up final can be offered, but depending on scheduling and logistical issues, it may not be possible to offer the make-up final until the following academic term. For students with AEC accommodations, final exams will be administered through the University testing center as well.
Drop policy:
I understand that life is unpredictable and learning doesn't stop when your schedule gets disrupted. This course includes dropped scores to give you peace of mind when illness, scheduling conflicts, or technology issues may collide with deadlines.
Canvas is set to automatically drop the lowest score(s) in each grading category, and it recalculates your dropped assignments anytime a new score is added or updated, so your grade always reflects your current progress. These scores show up "grey" when you view your grades in Canvas.
iClicker Polls: The lowest three (3) iClicker poll scores will be dropped from your overall grade.
Achieve HW: The lowest two (2) Achieve HW scores will be dropped from your overall grade.
Reflection Assignments: The lowest Reflection Assignment score will be dropped from your overall grade.