OCN 201 Laboratory Information
Spring 2013

GRADING:
Grading consists of approximately the following point distributions.

The actual number of points will vary depending on holidays.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance to all lab sessions is mandatory. Missing a lab will result in a 0 score for that week’s quiz and worksheet. Under certain circumstances a student may be permitted to go to another section’s lab to make up an absence. This requires prior approval from the other section’s TA before attending his/her lab section. Missing more than 1 lab is grounds for an automatic F.

QUIZZES:
Quizzes will be given at the beginning of each week’s lab. These quizzes are designed to test your understanding of the lab material and ensure that you come prepared to each week’s lab by reading the lab handouts prior to class. While the quiz each week will primarily focus on the material for the present week's lab it may also include topics from the previous week's lab. Preparation for the quizzes should include understanding the concepts from the previous week’s lab and completing the assigned reading for the present week's lab. Each quiz will be worth 5 points. The lowest quiz score will be dropped; however a missed quiz cannot be dropped. Each quiz will be distributed at the beginning of the lab period (9:00 am or 1:30 pm sharp). Failure to get to class on time will result in a zero ' 0 ' grade for that quiz. No exceptions or make-ups will be given. Students caught cheating on the quiz will receive a ‘0’ score for that lab and may be asked to leave the lab class for the semester.

Readings:
Before attending class you are expected to have read that week's assigned reading. Readings will be posted under the lab schedule link on the main page.

PRE-LAB INTRODUCTION:
At the beginning of each lab, after the quiz, there will be a 10-15 minute PowerPoint presentation, introducing that day’s lab. The information covered in these presentations will also supplement the OCN 201 class lecture.

LAB WORKSHEETS:
Each week’s lab will have an assigned reading and worksheet. Lab worksheets are worth 10 points each. Your lowest worksheet score for the semester will be dropped; however a missed lab worksheet cannot be dropped. The worksheet will be completed each week in lab & submitted at that time. No late labs will be accepted and failure to hand in a lab on time will result in a grade of zero ' 0 ' for that lab. No exceptions or make-ups will be given. While working in groups is encouraged in each lab, each student is required to fill out his/her individual lab worksheet. Copying another student’s worksheet or any other form of cheating will not be tolerated! Students caught cheating will receive a 0 score for that lab and may be asked to leave the lab class.

FIELD TRIPS:
You are required to go on one field trip for the lab course. This field trip requirement is worth 20 points. Please be aware the lecture course has its own field trip requirement. You cannot use the lab field trip for your lecture requirement. If you are enrolled in both the lab and lecture, two different field trips must be attended. Throughout the semester your TA will be coordinating 1 or 2 field trips (Coconut Island, Honolulu Fish Auction, etc.). Sign up sheets will be provided as each field trip is scheduled. Because these field trips have limited space and are very time-consuming to coordinate (paperwork, transportation etc.), if you sign up and fail to show up a penalty deduction of 10 points will be taken off of your total potential field trip points (20).

TERM PAPER:
A term paper, including a rough draft submission (10 points), is required for the lab. This scientific paper will cover a topic in Oceanography, and the topics will be determined by each TA in coordination with their students. The final draft will be worth 15 points and will be due during the last week of lab. Your TA will outline the specifics of the paper in class.

PRESENTATION:
During the last week of lab you will also be required to give a 5-7 minute presentation of your term paper. You are expected to have a slide presentation, created using PowerPoint, Keynote, etc. You are advised not to simply read off of your term paper with no visual aids because this will result in a very poor grade. Remember you are presenting to a crowd of your peers so have fun and relax!

PARTICIPATION:
Each TA will use his/her discretion to determine participation points for each student. Students who participate in discussions and help the TA make each lab a fun learning experience will receive full credit for participation.

Lab Schedule for Spring 2013:

Last modified: January 2013
Department of Oceanography