Papers should be
submitted through WebCT!
Log in
to http://spark.oit.umass.edu/
using your OIT computer account and click on the "Assignments" menu
item
Assignments. Acceptable formats are MSWord, PDF,
postscript, plain text (.txt) or rich text format (.rtf). In the event
of technical difficulties,
bring a paper copy to class before the deadline and we will accept that.
FILENAMES:
Please name your uploaded files according to the format:
LH<XX>-<last
name>.<ext>
where <XX> is the assignment number
<last name> is your last name
<ext> is the file extenstion (doc,pdf,ps,txt or rtf)
HEADER:
Include at the top of the file, the assignment number, the
course name and year, and your name.
CONTENT:
Discuss the most important points (usually not more than three topics)
covered in lecture since the
last lecture highlights assignment (usually just one week prior, but
not always). Explain these points in detail and in your own words.
You should treat the assignment as a very small paper, using a paper
format with an introduction and coherent structure. You should make
your explanations complete, assuming your audience does not already
know about the topic. The paper should include enough detail so as to
demonstrate your understanding of the material. Your
grade is based on the choice of topics, the synthesis of the material,
correctness, completeness, and clarity of writing. Papers should be
brief: one to three pages (double space preferred). Note especially
that the topics should come
from what is discussed IN CLASS, not just in the textbooks. (Though you
may certainly supplement your discussion with information that you
glean from other sources.)
As always, I expect all writing to be legible and clear, and to adhere
to good grammatical form. If you feel you need help with the language
or structure of a paper, you might like to talk to the folks at the
UMass Writing Center. They hold office hours in Bartlett Hall Room 303A
every Monday through Thursday. See: http://writingprogram.hfa.umass.edu/writingcenter/writingcenter.asp
.
GRADING:
Lecture highlights assignments are usually due at
12:20pm on Fridays.
Late work is graded for half credit only. Work that is later than 1
week beyond the due date will not be accepted.
Grades are given in
whole letters only (A, B, C, D, F). A paper that chooses three sensible
topics and describes them correctly and more or less clearly with no
egregious errors earns a "B". An "A" paper should, in addition, have
some little gem included: a special insight to one topic or a
particularly nice connection to other topics or outside sources. A
grade of "C" indicates at least one significant omission or error in
the physics discussion, or poor writing at a level that impedes the
message of the paper.