Timing and Due Dates

• For the scheduled dates of exams, quizzes and lab classes please view the class schedule

• Written exams are based on topics discussed within lectures
  
• Exams #1 and #2 (60 pt available, graded out of 48 pt) is worth 8%. 
• 8 multiple choice questions + 2 bonus questions (3 points each)
• 2/3 short answer questions (12 points each + 3 bonus)
  
• The Final Exam (120 pt available, graded out of 96 pt) is worth 16%.
• 16 multiple choice questions + 4 bonus questions (3 points each)
• 4/6 short answer questions (12 points each + 3 bonus)
• Examples of exam questions will be distributed prior to the first exam, and their format will be reviewed in the first review session.
• Multiple-choice questions: pick one from five
• 3pt is awarded for the correct answer.
• 1pt is available for one or more other answers on some questions as partial credit for partially correct answers
• Short-answer questions comprise several parts with choices (e.g. answer two of four options). They require annotation of figures and diagrams associated with interpretation of geological records and/or explanation of concepts, principles, and processes.
  
• Points available for each part of individual questions will be noted, determined according to content and accuracy, including relevance and clarity of explanation. 
• Exams #1 and #2 will be marked to denote correct work, errors and omissions.
  
• A mock test illustrating the format of the questions will be available prior to the first exam, and will be discussed in the first review session
  

• Each quiz (30 pt available, graded out of 25pt) is worth 5%, and will be timed to last 30 min via Oncourse.
  
• Quizzes will consist of 5 multiple-choice questions (2 pt each) and a series of short-answer questions (worth 1-5 points) based on interpretation or assessment of images or data sets related to topics covered in the lecture and/or labs.
  
• Note that some questions on the quizzes are graded manually. Your raw score in Oncourse will NOT reflect your true total until the manual grading process is complete.
• A mock quiz will be made available on Oncourse for practice in answering questions in this fashion, and to illustrate their format.
  

• There are 12 lab classes (including the field trip) that will be graded:
• The total points available varies among the labs, but all contain bonus questions for extra credit
  
• Each is worth 4%
  
• The principles employed in grading these assignments are fully documented in the detailed outline of the lab classes.

• There will be five sets of reflective questions on topics discussed during the lectures (30 pt available, graded out of 25pt); each is worth 2% and will be administered through Oncourse.
  
• The timing of these assignments is not set. Credit for some of the  questions will only be available to students attending the lecture when the assignment is announced
  
• A practice set of questions will be made available on Oncourse to illustrate their format.

• On-line Quizzes, Reflective Questions and Lab Reports are all administered using the Original Test and Survey within Oncourse. You are strongly advised to submit assignments from locations where  internet access is reliable.
  
• If you encounter any difficulty in accessing the assignment through Oncourse, or if a link is inactive please send an email immediately to geol104@indiana.edu. Opportunities to resubmit assignments depend on timely communication.
  
• If you are concerned whether an assignment has been successfully submitted please send an email to ask for confirmation. Normally, if you can still access the questions your submission was NOT successful.
• Credit for labs report will only be available for students who attend the appropriate lab class.
  

• Concerns about possible errors in grading or addition of scores should be expressed promptly (to geol104@indiana.edu) and will be addressed. 
• One of the AIs (Ritu Bose) will grade all the written exams, the on-line quizzes and the reflective questions.
  
• The instructors and AI's will determine the points allocation for lab class reports, which will be graded by the AI's
  
• There are many opportunities for bonus credit within all assignments. No other extra credit options will be available.
  

• Scores will be curved if the grade distribution deviates from expected distributions, or to ensure uniformity in lab class grade distributions.
• The points scale used to determine grades is as follows: 

Lectures >>

---

Department of Geological Sciences,  1001 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-1405 Last update: 7 January 2010 Copyright 2010, The Trustees of Indiana University

---