Concurrent

In class participation in the form of random ``cold calls'' will take place about three times per lecture. Students' responses will be recorded and will form approximately 1/5 of their final grade. Cold calls will test thermodynamic concepts and will allow the instructor to gauge his effectiveness immediately. Students also receive credit towards their grade by volunteering an excellent comment or a particularly clarifying question. This assessment method is consistent with the goals stated in sections 2.1 and 2.3.

Homeworks will be given out every week and graded. These grades will constitute about 1/5 of the grade. Homework questions are constructed to test and hone the students' skills of manipulating thermodynamic relations, calculating real numbers, and performing geometric constructions. This assessment method is consistent with the goals stated in sections 2.2. Students are encouraged to work in groups and an entire group can receive credit for joint submission of a single assignment. Group cooperation is consistent with goals stated in section 2.3.

Three exams will be given. Questions on the exams will test the students familiarity with thermodynamic principles as they apply to materials. Answers on the exams will typically require concise descriptions or thermodynamic refutation of practical problems. Exams will test understanding of principles and communication of their understanding rather than computational applications.