1) It is expected that you will attend class regularly. 

2) Excused absences are absences due to illness, to a death in the immediate family requiring you to be away from the campus temporarily, to a conflict with the schedule of religious observances (see item 3 below), and to genuine emergencies.  In all other cases, an absence is considered an excused absence only if I deem it so after conferring with you PRIOR TO the absence.  (In particular, if you cannot be present to take an exam, discuss the matter, if at all possible, with me BEFORE the exam.)  Evidence supporting the claim of an excused absence may be required.  For example, if a medical condition prevents you from taking a scheduled exam, you may be required to submit verification from the attending health care professional.  Under no circumstances will an absence be considered excused if I am not notified in a timely manner regarding the reason for your absence.  (In the context of this policy, "timely manner" means "within one week of the absence.")

As you arrange your work schedule, recreation schedule, social schedule, vacations, elective therapies and surgeries, etc., be mindful not to create conflicts with the schedule of lectures and exams in this course.  Absences due to such activities will not qualify as excused absences.

3) In accordance with University of Wisconsin policy, any potential conflict between class work and religious observance must be made known to the instructor within the first three weeks of classes.  You must notify the instructor of the specific days or dates for which you request relief from academic requirements on account of sincerely-held religious beliefs.

4) All exams will be announced in advance.  Attendance at each one is required.  No student will be allowed to take an exam prior to the exam's scheduled hour.  The course policies concerning missed exams are as follows:

(a)  If you miss an exam and your absence is unexcused, your score on that exam will be zero.
(b)  If you miss one mid-term exam ("mid-term exam" means "any exam other than the final exam") due to an excused absence, then your score on that exam will be zero and your next scheduled exam will count double.
(c)  If you miss the final exam due to an excused absence, you may take a make-up final exam, provided that you did not miss both mid-term exams.  (If you missed both mid-term exams, see item (d) immediately below.)
(d)  If you missed both mid-term exams, then you must take the final exam on the scheduled date, and at the scheduled time, shown in the course outline above.  Failure to do so will result in your receiving a failing grade in the course.  Moreover, your final exam will cover the full range of course material (that is, it will be a comprehensive final).  Its weight in determining your course grade will equal the sum of the weights of the mid-term exams that you missed due to excused absences, plus the weight of the regular (non-comprehensive) final.

 5) If I am absent from class, in most cases another instructor will either substitute for me or will announce that the class session has been canceled.  If there is no substitute instructor, nor any announcement, please remain in the classroom for ten minutes before departing.