THE SEA AROUND US (GEOSC. 040)

GRADING:
Attendance of lecture is, of course, not mandatory (this is not true of laboratories). However, we will do activities in class and you will receive grades on these activities. If you do not attend class regularly you will miss these opportunities and your grade will then reflect your lack of attendance. Thus, we encourage you to attend all lectures.
Prior experience shows that the combination of listening, note taking and reading contributes to higher course grades overall. Because of the highly visual course format, "Nittany Notes" and other conveniences will not be of much utility. In addition, by attending lecture you will benefit from "review sheets" (which contain sample questions) that will be displayed during class and available on the Lecture Notes link on course web site ONLY the day of that lecture. Basic outline lecture notes, graphics, and additional information about Oceanography will appear at this link. Students are encouraged to visit the web site regularly

 The final course grade will be compiled as follows: (click here for a GRADE CALCULATOR)
 20% - In-Class Exercises; you must be present to receive credit (lowest score is dropped)
 20% - Quizzes (in class; two scheduled)°
 15% - Examination 1
 15% - Examination 2**
 30% - Laboratory (based on scores given by Lab Instructors) details of the lab grade.
 The grade scale is as follows:
        92-100  "A"
        89-91  "A-"
        86-88 "B+"
        81-85 "B"
        77-80 "B-"
        74-76  "C+"
        65-73  "C"
        53-64 "D"
        <53     "F"
° Each quiz will deal with material presented since the previous examination (see syllabus for dates)
**Exam 2 is not comprehensive; it covers only the lecture and reading material discussed after the first exam 

Extra Credit:  Due Oct 30th
You can obtain up to five additional percentage points for your final course grade ( These will be added to your final point total as indicated here). 

Important instructions:
1) Save your letter in Microsoft Word format (.doc) or if you use another program, save the file as "rtf" or text.
2) Change the name of your FILE to LastNameFirstName_geosc040.doc --for example, if your name is Jane Doe, your FILE should be named: DoeJane_geosc40.doc
3) Make sure that your FILE is named correctly. Do not submit a FILE named "Extra Credit Letter"
4) Go to the lessons tab on Angel and use the drop box for extra credit papers.

In order to receive the full extra credit points, you must write cogently and coherently and you must follow these instructions explicitly.  Less than five points will be assigned to material deemed less suitable.  No credit will be given for incomplete, poorly constructed or plagiarized material. 
Note that all letters are subject to an electronic, web-based plagiarism check.
Click here for details about PSU policy on academic integrity,
and here for details about plagiarism.

Extra Credit Earn up to an additional 5% on your final course average

Compose a letter (1-2 pages, formatted as a letter) to a public official, industry executive, newspaper or other editorial comment, or non-profit organization in which you intelligently and rationally express your opinion on an issue of significance to oceanography. Define the issue and present accurate information; recommend an action or solution or point out a problem. You will be assessed on your ability to determine to whom you should write and where to address the letters.  You do not actually have to mail the letter to the person or persons, that is, unless you want to.

Your letter should include all references used (including books, web sites, or other sources).

Reference style is flexible, please choose one that seems appropriate.

The grading criteria include: 1) format and organization of the letter; 2) accuracy and significance of information, 3) addressee, potential influence and appropriateness (note: think about the impact you want to have and select the appropriate person or publication), and 4) use of references.


  "MAKEUP" POLICY: Quizzes and Examinations can only be made up by prior arrangement and/or  with proof of an excusable absence (e.g., medical, sanctioned University function).  It is our policy to use a  different set of questions for these makeups.

NOTE:
1) Please observe common courtesy in the classroom or laboratory; talking and other disruptions will disturb those who wish to hear the lectures and take notes on the material
 2) ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Cheating will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  Cheating is unfair to your classmates and an insult to curiosity and intellectual inquiry.  Anyone caught talking, looking at, or copying their neighbor's assignments or exams will receive an automatic failing grade on that assignment/exam and will be reported to University officials.  General guidelines can be found in University Policies and Rules, p. 41.  This course follows the guidelines set out for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences for offenses and appropriate punishments --please read these at http://www.ems.psu.edu/students/integrity/index.html.  Plagiarism is inexcusable--this includes cutting and pasting material directly from sources on the web.  All work and wording of assignments should be your own.  Limited quotation of sources is acceptable (set off with quotations and reference to source and page number).

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