PHYS 101 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Attendance Policy

Physics 101 has a significant attendance component included in grading. You must attend class on time and in-person to receive credit in Lecture, Discussion, and Lab.

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Lecture Attendance

Students enrolled in Lecture A1 and Lecture A2 may attend either lecture. Because the iClicker system is set up to run a new session for each lecture section, it will likely appear that you have missed half of the class lectures. As long as you have attended and participated (via iClicker) in one of the two lectures that day you will have full Lecture Participation credit for that lecture.

In-person attendance is required to earn Lecture Participation and Lecture Bonus credit.

Lecture attendance is determined as follows:

Students who are present in the lecture hall (as described above) and respond to at least 50% of the clicker questions for the respective lecture will earn a participation point for the day.

Students who are not present in the lecture hall for any reason will be given a 0 score for that lecture's participation. We do not offer excused absences for lecture; instead, your lowest 5 Lecture Participation scores will be dropped from your final grade calculation. This means you can miss up to 5 lectures for any reason with no penalty to your grade.

Discussion and Lab Attendance

Students may only attend the laboratory and discussion section in which they are registered.  Section swapping is not allowed.

In-person attendance is required to earn credit for partipating in Discussion and Lab.

Discussions and Labs are eligible for excused absences.

Timeliness

Discussion and Lab sections will start at their scheduled time. We expect students to arrive on time for the beginning of class.

It is important that students are physically present in the room so that they can contribute fairly to their group's ideation and work.

Lab and Discussion Participation Expectations

Student active participation is required to receive credit for your group assignments in lab and discussion. Your name may not be added to your group's work unless you were present in class that day and contributed to the work.

Active participation includes:

What if there is a problem in my group?

Please reach out to your TA or the Discussion or Lab Coordinator if you experience difficulty participating in your group, or feel that someone is not contributing appropriately. Our teaching team is happy to mediate the situation and help your group move toward a fair resolution.

 

Exam attendance policy

Physics 101 uses the Computer Based Testing Facility to administer tests and the final exam. You can reserve your exam time within the testing window using Prairietest.

Students who miss a test will be given an ABS (0) score. Tests (except the Final Exam) are eligible for Excused Absences. You may not have more than 3 tests excused.

Rescheduling your test

If you have a conflict come up, it is easy to reschedule your test with the CBTF:

The CBTF permits students to start within the first ten minutes of their reservation. If you are 10 or more minutes late you will have to reschedule your exam.

For more details, review the CBTF's Policies and Procedures page regarding timeliness and missed exams.

Final Exams

Failing to show up for a final exam will result in an AB grade resulting in failure (F) for the course.

In accordance with University policy as described in Article 3, Part 1 Grades and Grading Systems of the Student Code, only an authorized member of the Dean's Office of the student's college can change an AB final exam grade to an EX.

University policy will apply for EX grades so granted, as described in Article 3, Part 2 Examinations of the Student Code.

Absence Types

Two types of absence can be recorded in the gradebook:

The consequences of absences, excused or otherwise, are discussed in the course grading policy.

Excused Absences

Excused absences will be granted and documented in accordance with University policy as described in Article 1, Part 5 Class Attendance, of the Student Code.

Excused absences fall into the following categories as defined by the code:

Eligible course components

The only course components eligible to be issued a grade of EX:

How to get an absence excused

Excused Absence requests must be submitted to the Excused Absences application within 2 weeks of the absence. You will need to submit a request for each EX score you need.

Your submission must include documentation that shows why your absence is eligible to be excused. Acceptable forms of documentation include a Return to Work/School document from a medical provider, a Dial-A-Nurse event confirmation, an obituary or confirmation letter from a funeral director, a letter from a potential employer, a letter from the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA), Military Orders, Passport or Immigration appointment documentation, Graduate School Interview Confirmation or a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Excused Absences Application will guide students through the procedure for documenting missed classes, including the effects of the absence on students' grades.

Limits on EX grades

In compliance with the Student Code, the instructor of this course determines the amount of coursework which must be completed to pass. Attendance is required to meet the requirements.

Discussion: Students are allowed a maximum of 4 excused absences in discussion.  Starting with the next absence, the absence will be marked ABS.

Lab: Students are allowed a maximum of 3 excused absences in Lab. Starting with the next absence, the absence will be marked ABS. 

Tests: Students are allowed a maximum of 3 excused absences for tests. Starting with the next absence, the absence will be marked ABS. 

Course Completion and Irregular Attendance

If a student has 4 or more absences in discussion or labs, your conduct will be considered irregular attendance and the Dean of your college will be notified in compliance with Article 1, Part 5, Section 501, item (g) and (h) and Article 3, Part 3, Section 3-312 of the Student Code.