Department of Mathematics, University of Rhode Island. Last modified: 07-28-2003
What is the policy on receiving an Incomplete ( I ) grade in my math class?
The following is a paragraph taken from the university catalog:
A grade may be reported as "incomplete" only when course work has been passing but not completed due to illness or another reason that in the opinion of the instructor justifies the report of incomplete. Undergraduate students must make arrangements with the instructor to remove the incomplete by the following midsemester. Incomplete grades not removed from an undergraduate student's record by the end of two years will remain on the student's permanent record.
I got an Incomplete (I) in a previous semester; how do I proceed to remove the "Incomplete" from my record?
The instructor that gives you an Incomplete grade should give you instructions on how to remove such grade. For example, these instructions may be to present an exam sometime early in the semester following the semester when the incomplete was given, or, that the student arrange with an instructor of same the course to sit in his/her class. However, it must be noted that no instructor is obligated to accept an unregistered student. Once the requirements by the original instructor are satisfied, a "change of grade" form will be submitted to the registrar by this instructor. The student must request the submission of the "change of grade" form in a written note addressed to the original instructor.
I work out the homework/Maple worksheets with a friend. Can we submit identical work?
No. While work in groups is encouraged, students are expected to turn in write-ups written individually.
I don't think the grade I got in my test/quiz/homework is fair. What can I do about it?
The first step is to talk to your instructor. If you still think that you are treated unfairly, talk to the coordinator of the course (if it is a coordinated course) , or talk to the chairman of the department.
I finished my homework/Maple work late. Is it possible to turn it in? Is there a penalty?
Late work is accepted by some -but not all- instructors. Your instructor will let you know.
The exams are given outside normal class time, and I work when the exams will be given. Can I be given a makeup test?
Yes. You must make arrangements with your instructor to take a make-up test. These arrangements should be made several days in advance of when the normally scheduled test is given.
How do I know if I am studying enough hours to succeed in this class?
Your instructor is the best source of information. A rule of thumb is to study 2 hours outside class for each class hour. This must be adjusted to individual cases, for example, a weak background implies that more hours are needed.
I had an emergency and missed a test/quiz. Is a makeup possible?
Your instructor should have made clear at the beginning of the semester what the policy is on makeups.
When and where will the tests be given?
Check the web page of the course, or the syllabus given at the beginning of the semester.
What if I need help with Maple?
Your instructor will help you during office hours. Also, the Mathematics Department offers student help in one of the Kingston campus computer labs. Check out the schedule for hours and location.
Where do I find Maple on campus?
Most labs have it installed. For example, the labs in the Library and in the Student Union in Kingston's Campus. It is also available in Shepard Building.
Where do I find help with my homework?
In addition to your instructor's office hours, you may get help from the Learning Network Assistance in the basement of Roosevelt Hall, where help is offered on a walk-in basis. Check out the schedule for the present semester.
What graphing calculators are recommended for Calculus courses at URI?
The Texas Instruments TI-86 is a very good graphing calculator. Also suitable are TI-82, TI83, TI-85, TI89, TI92. Also, Sharp, Casio, Hewlett-Packard produce good graphing calculators.
Students are not required to buy Maple, as it is available in the labs. Maple is a powerful software that you may find convenient to have at home. You will find it useful for all mathematics courses plus other non-mth courses from your major that use mathematics. There is a "Student" version of Maple which is avaliable in stores that sell software titles.
My course grade is not very good. Can I retake the course to improve my GPA?
In some cases, YES. The following is a paragraph taken from the University Catalog:
Students may exercise a second grade option by repeating a course in which the student earned a grade of C_ or lower. Only courses that fall within the students first 30 attempted credits taken at the University may be selected for this option. Students must exercise this option no later than the next two semesters for which the students registers after completing 30 credits. Only the grade earned when the course was repeated will be used in the calculation of the student's GPA and only the credits earned for the repeated course will apply toward graduation requirements. All grades earned shall remain on the student's record. To take advantage of this option, students must obtain approval from their academic deans. The second grade option may be used only once per course.