Use of WebAssign in physics labs

Each prelab assignment (PL) and some other assignments will involve the use of WebAssign (http://webassign.net/), a system for online distribution, submission, and grading that is also being used in the lecture component of this course. (Unlike for the lecture course, however, you need not purchase a WebAssign "student access code" card from the bookstore.) The PL for each lab activity will probably be posted one week or more in advance and will consist of approximately six questions. Before attempting any PL you should read the writeup for the particular activity, along with any other recommended material. Collaboration with others while working on a PL is prohibited and is a violation of CNU's Honor Code.
In order to receive full credit for any question, you must answer it correctly on the first submission. The maximum possible credit for any question will decrease by 20% with each submission. (Exception: for obvious reasons, you will be allowed only one submission for multiple-choice questions that have only two options - such as "true or false" questions.) Many of the questions will provide feedback in the form of "hints", if you make mistakes. The PL deadline will be two hours before the scheduled beginning of the activity, unless you receive an alternate deadline from your instructor. While it is possible for your instructor to grant an extension for a WebAssignment, this will probably not be granted "for free" (ie, without accompanying penalty points), regardless of hardware or software problems that you may encounter, and it will almost certainly not be granted if you have viewed the assignment's answer key.

Shortly after your instructor has incorporated your group information (ie, whether you were placed into the A group or the B group, at the first lab session), you will be able to access your physics-lab WebAssign account, where your first "WebAssignment"(s) will be available for downloading. Your username will be your CNU ID number (not including any leading zeros, if yours has them), and the "institution" will be "cnu". For additional information and instructions, see item 1 or 2, depending on your circumstances.
  1. students who used WebAssign at CNU during a previous semester:
    Your password will probably be unchanged from the previous semester.
  2. all other students:
    Your initial password will be your CNU ID number (not including any leading zeros, if yours has them). As soon as possible after being able to login to your account, you should change your password by clicking on Options in the upper-right corner of the screen which you encounter after logging in to WebAssign.
NOTES (for all students): Peter Knipp, Assoc. Prof. of Physics, Gosnold 215B, CNU
email: pknipp@pcs.cnu.edu (work) and peterknipp@juno.com (home)
phone: 594-7827

(last edited 8/27/08)
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