Course Grading Scheme

Problem Sets (see below):	30%
Midterm Test (see below):	30%
Final Exam (see below)	40%

UVIC Grading Scheme and Percent-to-Letter Grade Conversion
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*Problems Sets

The problem sets must be handed by 5pm on the specified date. Late problem sets will not be accepted without prior approval or official documentation. In the event of forseeable absence, it is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to ensure that the problem set is received before the due date. If the deadline is missed due to medical or other "emergencies" of similar stature, a formal note will be required. Please note that since the problem sets are worth a significant fraction of the final mark, handing in a partially completed problem set is better than not turning one in at all.

Please see the TOPICS section for due dates and the EXPECTATIONS section for additional instructions regarding the assigned problems and the problem sets. The most important of these are:

The problem sets must be handed by 5pm on the specified date. I will only accept problem sets emailed to me at babul@uvic.ca in PDF format and when you email it to me put YOUR NAME and "ASTR 403 Problem Set # XXX" as the subject.

I do not have an issue with students discussing the highlighted/assigned questions with - and learning from - each other. However, I expect that each person will then go back and work through the problems independently and write out their own solutions. Plagerism will result in a score of "0". I should also note that the answers to the problems are given at the back of the textbook. If you are stuck, you are welcome to glance at the final answer and see if that offers a direction. Similarly, I don't have an issue with you using ChatGPT or other AI to get hints but I strongly recommend that you work through the questions by yourself so that you are prepared for the midterm/final.

Finally and most importantly, I expect that the solutions submitted for grading will be detailed (much more detailed than the terse explanation at the back of the book) and show full reasoning in a step-by-step manner. Please explain your reasoning, highlight (and if necessary) justify any assumptions you need to make, etc. Do not assume that anything is obvious: explain and clarify. Full marks will only be given if the solutions are explicit and allow me to see how you have thought things through.

*Midterm and Final Exam Schedule

The midterm exam is usually scheduled in mid-october. It will be an in-class, in-person event unless otherwise announced. You will find the exact date in TOPICS section .

The date of the final exam will be announced by the UNIVERSITY closer to the end of term. Please check the final exam schedule when available.

Questions on the midterm and the final will be a mix of questions similar to those in your textbook and those worked out in class.

"Cheat Sheet" policy: For both the midterm and the exam, you are allowed to bring cheat sheet (unless informed otherwise). It cannot be bigger than a 8.5" X 11" sheet of paper. You may write on both sides but it most definitely should be handwritten and in your own handwriting.

Calculator Restrictions on Midterms and Final Tests: According to recently adopted Department of Physics and Astronomy policy, in cases where the use of a calculator is allowed on a test or an exam (as in this course), the standard, and only, calculator that may be used is the Sharp EL-510R or Sharp EL-510RNB. For updates to allowed models (and departmental policy), please see FAQ page on department webpage for current undergraduate students. Allowed calculators are available for purchase from the Bookstore (for example) for about $10, plus taxes.