Historical Geology Lecture Policies

Lecture Class Policies

GOL 106 is an introductory course that focuses on the physical, chemical and biological materials and processes that have continuously transformed the surface of our home planet. After completing the course, students should be familiar with the cycles of energy and material that occur on Earth and with the evolution of Earth's surface and the life that dwells there. There are no prerequisites for enrollment.


lecture meetings	2:00 to 3:20 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 438 Bisdorf.
cancellation	Official college closures are announced on the NOVA home page and at 703-323-3770 (or at 703-330-3770 in Prince William County). If inclement weather or any other emergency causes cancellation of a lecture meeting, you are still required to learn the material in the originally scheduled Powerpoint presentation and in the associated textbook reading.
attendance	Attendance is compulsory at every lecture meeting. Any student who has accumulated ten absences will be withdrawn immediately.
electronic devices	You must obtain my prior permission before using any electronic device during lecture meetings.
lecture tests	There are four in-class lecture tests, given at approximately equal intervals during the semester. If you miss any of the first three tests, you must arrange to take a makeup exam within one week at the Testing Center. If you miss the fourth test, you must make an immediate arrangement with me for a makeup.
lecture grade	There are four components of the lecture grade—the four in-class lecture tests. Each is worth 25% of the total. The lecture grade is 60% of your whole grade for GOL 106. (The remaining 40% is the lab grade.)
misbehavior	Behavior that disrupts a lecture meeting will not be tolerated. On the first occasion of such behavior, I will ask you to leave. On the second occasion, I will expell you from GOL 106 with a grade of "F".
cheating	I reserve the right to penalize anyone that I catch cheating during a test. The minimum penalty is a zero grade for the test. The maximum is expulsion from GOL 106 with a grade of "F".
dropping and withdrawal	Using NovaConnect, you may drop this course with a tuition refund until Thursday, January 26. You may withdraw yourself from GOL 106 with a no-credit "W" grade until Friday, March 23. After March 23, a "W" grade is possible only with documentation approved by the dean.
change to audit	You may change your grading status from credit to audit until Thursday, January 26. After that date, a change to audit status is disallowed.
disability	If you require special accommodations because of a disability, you must submit appropriate documentation to a Disability Services counselor. As early as possible in the semester, give me a copy of the Accommodation Request Form.