1

Do I need to come to campus to do any labs? No, unlike most other on-line science courses, AST 101 labs are designed to be done without the need to come onto campus and work in the laboratories. You may be able to do all of your labs at home or nearby, as well as some on the Internet.

2

Which labs do I do and when? You will see a detailed table of which labs are due and when on the Lab Schedule page.

3

How do I turn in labs? Each lab is a module and will be submitted approximately once a week using online forms. Exact due dates will be on the Lab Schedule page. Late labs will receive a penalty of -1 point per minute after the due date.

4

Will there be any math ? Yes - but it is no more than basic high school level math - no algebra or calculus.

5

May I work with others on the labs - in lab groups? Yes and no! Perform your own experiments. You may discuss questions, experiences, or results you have with other students; but do not post your solutions to labs on the forum to see if others agree. That will only allow some the option to copy without working - which more people do than you might imagine. Instead, you may discuss "how" to do the lab, but don't just post answers. You must submit your own lab with your own answers. These labs are not group projects. The penalties for cheating/copying another student’s work are quite severe. Feel free to discuss how reasonable your results are, or ask questions of other students. Just make sure you perform the entire experiment. Nearly all college and university labs allow students to work in groups - only due to the lack of equipment and room for each to do the work themselves. That's the only reason - and a problem we do not have in this course.

6

Where may I get help with the labs? Post questions on the discussion forum or contact fellow students, since obviously other students are doing the same labs as you. Don't wait to the last day or so to ask for help, since I have found most students will not be so willing to help others who appear to postpone their work to the last minute. You may also email your lab instructor for help.

7

How late or early may I submit a lab? Please do not submit it too early or too late. If you submit it too early, it will be discarded. If you submit it late, it will be penalized a point a minute. You may submit it up to one week early and it will be accepted.

8

When will lab grades be posted? Grades will not be posted. The lab forms will be graded within one week of the due date and returned to you - provided you entered a working email address. You should keep all graded work or at least record the grades for your own records. Other than the returned graded work, we do not email or post grades.

9

When should I expect to get the graded labs back? Graded labs will be returned sometime within one week of its due date.

10

Will you let me know when you receive my lab? Sorry, but no. Students will not be notified that labs have been received, so it is very important that you submit labs as explained above. 

11

What happens if I don't turn in a lab? You'll get a zero on the lab. Failing to submit 2 or more may result in withdrawal from the course. You have many days before the lab due date to submit the labs, so there should be no reason not turn them in.