1. Can I take the final exam early?  No, unless you go to the department chair or dean for authorization.  As far as I know, it is against Florida law and I am not allowed to authorize it without approval from above.

2. Can I take the FE late?  No.  Because of final grade deadlines and the necessity for multiple versions of the FE.  Again, extreme circumstances may warrant an exception if special permission from an administrator is granted and if the FE is taken before grade deadlines.  The college (and I) discourage incompletes (I) except under extreme circumstances.

3. Do I need a graphing calculator?  
a) If this course does require a graphing calculator, then graphing calculators will be used and everything will be taught "by hand" and on the graphing calculator (where possible), and graphing calculators will be allowed on the tests/major quizzes/exams.  
b) If this course does not require a graphing calculator but a graphing calculator is highly recommended, then graphing calculators will be used and everything will be taught "by hand" and on the graphing calculator (where possible), and graphing calculators will be allowed on the tests/major quizzes/exams for those that have them.  Students who do not want to purchase a graphing calculator can borrow them in the PBCC math lab to do their calculator homework problems (for use in the lab), or check one out at the PBCC library (if available) to do their calculator homework problems and for tests.  Please see your instructor for ideas to get a calculator if you want one and can't get one for some reason.  Note: If you are not a PBCC student, then you will need to check at your college for calculator availability, or ask me and I will find out for you.
c) If this course does not require a graphing calculator and a graphing calculator is not highly recommended, then graphing calculators will not be used and everything will be taught "by hand".  Graphing calculators will be allowed on the tests/major quizzes/exams.
A TI-30 X II S (or battery model of that exact calculator) is recommended as the next-best-thing to a graphing calculator (you can at least edit input with that calculator and it does have a small history capability).

In the "REAL WORLD", you will be expected to know technology.  College would be a good place to start learning it!  When I went to college, I would have traded my car for a graphing calculator.

4. Is the final comprehensive?  Yes.  But you will have plenty of guidance in preparing for it.

5. Can I make up a test?  No.  Your FE grade will be duplicated for a single missed test.

6. Do you drop the low test grade?  No.  Your FE grade will replace your lowest major quiz/test grade only if your FE grade is higher.

7a. I need an A (or B) to graduate from FAU, FSU, UF, etc.  Your instructor will be happy to give you extra help in the math lab, or give you suggestions on how to improve your grade (such as using the Math Lab, etc.).  Keep in mind that grades are determined on an even playing field by the performance of each student in the course at hand.

7b. I need an A (or B) because I am on a scholarship, etc.  Your instructor will be happy to give you extra help in the math lab, or give you suggestions on how to improve your grade (such as the Math Lab, etc.).  Keep in mind that grades are determined on an even playing field by the performance of each student in the course at hand.

7c. I need an A because I have a 4.0.  Your instructor will be happy to give you extra help in the math lab, or give you suggestions on how to improve your grade (such as the Math Lab, etc.).  Keep in mind that grades are determined on an even playing field by the performance of each student in the course at hand and not by previous grades in other courses.  4.0 students that don't take math seriously usually won't have to worry about their 4.0 for much longer because math is often a very good 4.0 breaker. 

8a. Does attendance count in this course?  Check your syllabus first before reading on.  Attendance counts if you believe that you will learn something by attending lecture (I always did...at least I know what was going on in the class).  Depending on the course, you may get 5 points for 90-100% attendance (based on 100 points for the course).  In some courses, a point is taken off for each hour missed beyond, usually 10% or the course.  Save 10% leeway for emergencies because nobody will lose any points for 10% or less absences.  But after 10%, 1 point may be deducted for each hour absent and you start losing points from the 5.  Extreme circumstances sometimes warrant exceptions, but that is partly what the 10% is for...

8b. I can get it on my own...why do I have to come to class?  If you want to do that, you're signed up for the wrong course.  This is not a correspondence course or an individual study course and absences beyond 10% may cause 1 point to be deducted from your overall grade for each 1 class hour missed.  There are independent study courses available for some courses.  Remember, since this is a lecture course, you will get credit for a lecture course, not a correspondence course.

9. Can I be excused from the FE if I have an A or if I have 100% on all my work?    No (Unless you are a relative of Issac Newton, David Blackwell, or Ben Franklin and can prove it).

10. What happens if I miss the FE?  Your FE grade will be entered as 1/2 of your major quiz/test average but only if all tests have been taken up to that point.  If all tests have not been taken, your FE grade will be zero and you will most likely fail the course.  In addition, this policy is in effect only if the FE was missed due to a documented family emergency, etc.  If not documented by final grade time, a 0 will be entered in the FE grade slot.

11. Can I cheat on tests?  Yes, until you get caught.  May I cheat on tests?  No.  When you cheat, you are cheating your fellow students and yourself.  You will get an "F" if caught along with anyone who intentionally helped you cheat, and anyone who helped you cheat as a result of culpable negligence will also be suspect.  So keep your exam out of the line-of-sight.

12. May I help my friend cheat on tests?  No.  When you help others cheat, you are cheating your fellow students and yourself.  You will get an "F" if caught along with the person you helped cheat.

13. May I cheat or help my friend cheat on homework and other assignments?  No.  When you cheat, you are cheating your fellow students and yourself.  When you help others cheat, you are cheating your fellow students and yourself.  You will get an "F" if caught along with the person you helped cheat.

14. Do I have an obligation to tell my instructor if I see others cheat?  I will answer this one thus:  If I saw someone cheating and/or helping someone else cheat, and I knew it would have an effect on my grade (which it ultimately would), I would certainly notify my instructor that I saw someone cheating.  If my instructor asked who it was, I would consider telling her/him because the cheating student is cheating ME.

15. Is it OK for me to leave class early each day to go to work?  No.  Work and school should not be scheduled at the same time?  It is very rude and distracting for a student to pack up and leave class early...excluding urgent or emergency situations that happen to everyone on occasion...but not on a regular basis.  In addition, when one person leaves, it sometimes starts a mass exodus that destroys the rest of the class.  

16. Is it OK for me to be rude and distracting in class?  No.  People spend their hard-earned money and their valuable time to attend college and want to learn. They consider it a privilege and not an entitlement to go to college. They fully realize that people in some countries find it impossible to go to school.  For a student to interfere in their fellow student's education and distract the instructor from doing her/his job is not acceptable.

*If by chance, it is not a college rule, then it is a rule for the course.  If it is against college policy, then it is null and void.