Homework and Grading:

Homework sets: 10%

Lab exercises: 25% (includes 10% for final lab project)

~1 hour quiz, optical-min-thermo-PD: 8%

Lecture exam, on igneous rocks only: 15%

2 Lab exams: 10% each for 20% total

Final exam, all inclusive but more metamorphic: 22%

  Collaboration on homework and lab exercises is encouraged. You may work through homework problems and look at lab samples together, but each of you must solve every problem assigned, examine every sample assigned, and write up your work in your own words. No collaboration of any kind is permitted on exams. Please write up your work legibly and be concise with your answers. Points may be taken off for very sloppy work even when the answers are correct.

Late policy: Assignments are due at the beginning of the lecture or lab session specified on the assignment handout. There will be a penalty of 10% for labs turned in up to 3 days late; no labs will be accepted after this point.

Please be as careful as you can with lab equipment and samples. The microscopes are very expensive, and some of the samples, especially thin sections, are very difficult to replace. If something does break, please let us know right away so we can fix things.