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Information
Professor: Roberto R. Heredia., Ph.D. URL: https://www.tamiu.edu/coas/psy/heredia/
Office: Brain & Cognition Laboratory CNS 205 E-mail: rheredia@tamiu.edu
Class Time & Place: T & R 1:15 p.m. - 2:35 p.m.; Pellegrino Hall 101 Phone: 956.326.2637
Office Hours: M 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.; T & R 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; W 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. or by appointment  

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduces practical knowledge of statistical reasoning, from descriptive statistics such as histograms, measures of central tendency, variability, and correlation, to inferential statistics including, probability theory, hypothesis testing, effect size, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression, and chi square, which are essential for understanding scientific reports in psychology and cognitive science. Students enrolled in this class must obtain a "C" or better to enroll in PSYC 3302. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PSYC 2117 Basic Statistics for Psychology Laboratory.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this course you will gain the following:

  • Ability to understand and explain to others the statistical analysis in reports of social and behavioral science research journals.
  • Ability to identify the appropriate statistical procedures for basic quantitative research, and to carry out the necessary computations.
  • Ability to apply and utilize statistical concepts in designing, executing, and interpreting psychological research.
  • Develop your quantitative and analytic thinking skills.
  • You'll be prepared for more advanced courses in statistics, research methods, or experimental psychology.
  • Employ the appropriate methods, technologies and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate and understand the human condition.
  • You'll become a better and informed consumer of science and information.

METHODS OF LEARNING

  • Reading the assigned material, which includes following the numeric examples closely and writing down questions about anything not entirely clear to you.
  • Reading statistics requires close study and re–reading, not just reading through once as you might an ordinary book.
  • Completing the assigned practice problems. Statistics is a skill––it is necessary to DO statistics, not just read and understand!
  • Attending lectures, listening closely, asking questions. DO NOT fall behind!
  • Studying for, taking, and reviewing answers for exams; read chapters summaries, learn the key terms, and practice the worked-out Problems for each chapter!
  • Improving your understanding of statistics by using the Free GNU/ Open Source jamovi statistical App for Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, and Windows. (See jamovi community resources webpage and jamovi YouTube tutorials).

As rightly pointed out by Linden (2007), I will Imagine that [my] audience has zero knowledge [about stats] but infinite intelligence (Prologue, The accidental mind: How brain evolution has given us love, memory, dreams, and god).

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Heredia, R.R & Hartley, R. (under review). Statistics for the social–behavioral sciences. University of Cambridge Press. (Chapters provided by professor).
Navarro, D.J., & Foxcroft, D.R. (2022). Learning statistics with jamovi: A tutorial for psychology students and other beginners . (Version 0.75). DOI: 10.24384/hgc3-7p15. Download the tutorial from here.

FREE COMPUTER STATISTICAL PROGRAMS
Jamovi (and jamovi online Demo), JASP, and PSPP. Choose among other statistical programs available here, and data sets to practice.

Calculator: Inexpensive Calculator with X^2 and √ computational capabilities.

ABOUT EXAMS

  • Each of the three exams will cover only the material since the last exam (except to the extent that the previous material is necessary for understanding the new material).
  • Exams will be multiple choice and short answer essays requiring conceptual understanding of statistical principles necessary in experimental research.
  • The final Examination will be comprehensive and will contain a written component (see Policies of the College of Arts & Sciences).
  • You can drop the lowest exam, except the final; therefore, no exam make-ups will be allowed.

RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER IS REQUIRED

Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. A student Quick Start Guide is also available. Click here for further information.

ISSUES RELATED TO CLASS AND ASSIGNMENTS

  • Cellular phones should be turned off and put away.
  • Students should remain on their seats until the end of class.
  • Students are welcomed to bring personal computers to class for note-taking purposes. Students should not use class time for net surfing or for other non-class-related purposes.
  • For all assignments, please show your work. Assignments with answers only will not be accepted and will not be counted. Please turn in your homework assignments to your corresponding laboratory session.
  • It is expected that you will neither give nor receive any unauthorized aid for all tests and/or assignments in this class (See, TAMIU Course Policies; TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating [below]). A Dust Devil does not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.
  • As per TAMIU Regulations, all electronic communication with students will take place via the TAMIU email system. The instructor will ONLY respond to and send messages to TAMIU email addresses. Students must check their TAMIU email accounts regularly. In general, students can expect responses to email messages within 24/48 hours.

EXTRA-CREDIT
You can earn extra points by participating in ongoing research projects, provided that you meet the requirements, as determined by the investigator, of the particular experiment. You can earn two extra points for every hour (up to 15 hours) that you participate.

COURSE GRADE SUMMARY
Points will accumulate over the semester such that there will be:
2 Examinations @ 200 Points 400 Points (57% of grade)
1 Final Exam @ 200 Points 200 Points (29 % of grade)
Attendance & Participation @ 100 Points 100 Points (14 of grade)

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 700 pts.

A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F =59% and below

COURSE OUTLINE: SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
DATE
TOPIC CHAPTER READING CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT EXERCISE PROBLEMS
PART I Descriptive Statistics : Using Tables and Graphs, Displaying numbers    
JAN 16 Introduction/Statistics in the Research Process Ch 1 HW#1: 2–5, 7–8, 19, 23 –25
JAN 18 –23 Graphic Representation and Frequency Distributions (Descriptives) Ch 2 HW#2: 5–7,9–10–12, 14, 19
JAN 25 Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, & Mode Ch 3 HW#3: 1, 4, 5,7–11, 13, 17–18
JAN 30 – FEB 1 Measures of Variability: Variance & Standard Deviation Ch 4 W#4: 1, 5–6, 9–12, 16–18
FEB 6 FIRST EXAM Exam 1 Study Guide  
PART II Inferential Statistics    
FEB 8 Z score & Normal Curve (Z calculator): Sample vs. Populations Ch 5.1, Ch 5.2 HW#5: 5–7, 9–13, 15–18
FEB 13 Probability (Coin Simulator): Computing & Understanding Probabilities Ch 5.3 HW#6: 19–21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
FEB 15 –20 Hypothesis Testing Logic (see YouTube Demos) Ch 6.1 HW#7: 2–4, 7–12
FEB 22 – 27 Sampling Distribution of Means: Hypothesis Testing with Means of Samples Ch 6.2, Ch 6.3 HW#8: 13, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25–29, 33, 35
FEB 29 Power and Effect Size: Making Sense of Statistics (Power Calculator) Ch 7.1 HW#9: 3, 6, 11, 13, 15
MAR 5 Estimation and Confidence Intervals: Testing with Means of Samples Ch 7.2 HW#10: 20–24
MAR 7 SECOND EXAM Exam 2 Study Guide  
PART III T-Test: Parametric Statistics (William S. Gosset)
   
MAR 19 Introduction to the T-Test & Single - Sample T-Test (T-value calculator) Ch 8 HW#11: 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12–15
MAR 21– 26 Introduction to the T-Test & Single - Sample t-Tes (Continued)    
MAR 28 – APR 2 Independent Samples T-Test Ch 8.1 HW#12: 18-20, 23-24, 26,29-30
APR 4 Dependent Means (Correlated Samples) T-TesT Ch 8.2 HW#13: 31-32,34,35
APR 9 THIRD EXAM Exam 3 Study Guide  
PART III CONT Parametric Statistics Continued...    
APR 11 Introduction to ANOVA (Fisher, ANOVA, F): One-Factor (One-Way) ANOVA, Multiple Comparisons Ch 9 HW#14: 1–8, 10–13, 18,22
APR 16 Introduction to Factorial Designs: Analysis for Multiple Group Means & Interactions Ch 9.1 HW#15: 25–29
APR 18 Correlation: Relationship vs. Cause and Effect? (Galton) Ch 10 HW#16: 1–9, 14–17, 21, 24, 28
APR 23 Regression: Prediction Ch 11 HW#17: 1-9, 11-15
APR 25 Chi-Square Test of Goodness of Fit / Chi-SQR Test of Independence Chi-SQR Calculator) Ch 12 HW#18: TBA
MAY 2
FINAL EXAM at 1:15 p.m. Final Exam Study Guide  

NOTE: The above schedule and procedures, in this course, are subject to change.

University Course Policies

Class Attendance

Except for asynchronous online courses, students are expected to attend every class in person and to complete all assignments. If a student cannot attend class, it is his/her responsibility to communicate absences with professors. The professor will decide if the student’s excuse is valid. According to university policy, as listed in the Student Handbook, excused absences, which cannot affect a student’s grade, include:

  • Participation in an authorized university activity at the request of university authorities.
  • Death or major illness in a student’s immediate family.
  • Illness of a dependent family member.
  • Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student’s presence.
  • Religious Holy days/days of obligation.
  • A pregnant/parenting student must be granted a leave of absence (LOA) for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary.
  • Illness/injury that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class.
  • Required participation in military assignment and duties.
  • Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school, which cannot be rescheduled.

Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to professors within seven calendar days of their absence and are expected to return to class. If the absence is excused, the professor will either allow access to lecture recordings (if available), provide students with the opportunity to make up missed work, including exams, or provide a satisfactory alternative to complete the work within 30 calendar days from the date of absence.

Students who miss class due to a university-sponsored activity are responsible for identifying their absences to faculty with as much advance notice as possible. Students are responsible for all work assigned during their absence. Whenever possible, students should complete the work either before the absence or immediately afterward.

If an off-campus licensed physician provides evidence of a student’s illness, the written excuse, orders, or documentation must contain the date and time of the doctor’s appointment, the prognosis of illness, doctor’s opinion, and recommendations for the individual student. In addition, the notice should outline whether or not the student is able to attend class. If a physician determines that the student is not ill, the student will not receive an excused absence. If an absence is not an excused absence, the faculty member will decide whether makeup work will be allowed.

In some courses, attendance and in-class participation are ongoing requirements and an integral part of the coursework. In other courses, occasional in-class assessments may occur, sometimes without advance notice. It is the responsibility of the professor to inform each class at the beginning of the semester of the in-class participation expected and the effect absences will have on the student’s evaluation of work in the course. It is the student's responsibility to abide by the professor’s instructions and rules in the course.

Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule

The Student Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule assists and encourages students to return and graduate after an absence of two or more consecutive long semesters from TAMIU. Absences during summer sessions are excluded, as continuous enrollment is not affected. Eligible students are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits provided by a LOA, e.g., no need to apply for readmission to university and may participate in their regularly scheduled registration/enrollment period upon return. Please note that re-admission to a college program may be required.

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for a LOA, a student must be eligible to register for classes and meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a degree-seeking student.
  2. Be registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning of the LOA:
  3. A student who was admitted as a new first-time freshman, transfer student, or graduate student but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.
  4. A student who was readmitted but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.
  5. Be in good academic standing or on academic probation with their college.
  6. Have no holds (e.g., disciplinary, business, testing, etc.), which would restrict registration. Note: Students with Business Office holds may be given consideration for a LOA if authorized by the Bursar’s Office.
  7. Have submitted any outstanding high school and/or transfer transcripts if prior admission/readmission and continued enrollment was contingent upon receipt of those transcripts.

Rules and specific processes regarding LOA for undergraduate and graduate students can be found in the Student Handbook.

Classroom Behavior

TAMIU values academic freedom in the classroom and, thus, classroom discussion and academic debate are encouraged. It is essential that students learn to express and defend their beliefs, but it is also essential that they learn to listen and respond respectfully to others whose beliefs they may not share. The university will accept different or unpopular points of view, but it will not tolerate condescending, insulting, or discriminatory remarks. When students verbally abuse or ridicule and intimidate others whose views they do not agree with, they subvert the free exchange of ideas that should characterize a university classroom. If their actions are deemed by the professor to be disruptive, they will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action (please refer to the Student Handbook for more information) and professors may ask the student to leave the class.

TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating

The university is committed to strict enforcement of the Honor Code. Students should conduct themselves ethically in all activities, in and out of the classroom. Ethical behavior also includes reporting violations of the Honor Code to the appropriate office. Please read the Student Handbook to review the university’s Honor Code.

There are several violations of the Honor Code that involve plagiarism and cheating.

Plagiarism: The act of passing off some other person’s ideas, words, or works as one’s own. It includes, but is not limited to, the appropriating, buying, receiving as a “gift,” or obtaining, by any other means, another’s work for submission as one’s own academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  1. Failing to credit sources used in a work product in an attempt to present the work as one’s own.
  2. Intentionally, knowingly, or carelessly presenting the work of another as one’s own (i.e., without crediting the author or creator).
  3. Copying test answers or the words or phrases of another without crediting the author or claim credit for the ideas of another.
  4. Borrowing or lending a term paper, handing in as your own work a paper purchased from an individual or off the Internet, or submitting, as one's own any papers or work product from the files of any group, club, or organization.
  5. Submitting the same paper in more than one class without the permission of the instructor.

Students must provide citations for facts, ideas, and opinions that are not their own. If students are unsure about providing proper documentation, they are encouraged to seek advice from professors or the Academic Center of Excellence (ACE). It is the professor’s prerogative to ask students to submit work to one of TAMIU’s Plagiarism detection tools: Turnitin or Blackboard’s SafeAssign.

Professors must report incidents of plagiarism to the Honor Council. It is the professor’s prerogative and/or discretion, to issue an “F” in the course should he/she discover that a student has committed plagiarism. The professor, however, may elect to give students, particularly freshmen and sophomore students, a “zero” for the assignment if he/she believes that the student plagiarized out of carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive the professor to earn an unmerited grade. Serious cases of plagiarism, especially those that involve flagrant incidents of plagiarism by graduate or doctoral students, may lead to suspension or expulsion from the university.

Cheating: An act of deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information related to an academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  1. Copying from another student’s test, lab report, computer file, data listing, logs, or any other type of report or academic exercise.
  2. Using unauthorized materials during a test. Consulting a cell phone, text messages, PDAs, programmable calculators with materials that give an advantage over other students during an exam.
  3. Using crib sheets or other hidden notes in an examination or looking at another student's test paper to copy strategies or answers.
  4. Having another person supply questions or answers from an examination to be given or in progress.
  5. Having a person other than oneself (registered for the class) attempt to take or take an examination or any other graded activity. In these cases, all consenting parties to the attempt to gain unfair advantage may be charged with an Honor Pledge violation.
  6. Deliberately falsifying laboratory results, or submission of samples or findings not legitimately derived in the situation and by the procedures prescribed or allowable.
  7. Revising and resubmitting a quiz or exam for re-grading, without the instructor's knowledge and consent.
  8. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on a take-home examination.
  9. Facilitating academic violation: intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate the Honor Pledge.
  10. Signing in another student's name on attendance sheets, rosters, Scantrons.
  11. Submitting in a paper, thesis, lab report, or other academic exercise falsified, invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate or knowingly concealing or distorting the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence.
  12. Procuring and/or altering without permission from appropriate authority of examinations, papers, lab reports, or other academic exercises, whether discarded or used, and either before or after such materials have been handed in to the appropriate recipient.
  13. Using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, soliciting, copying or possessing, the contents of an un-administered test, a required assignment or a past test which has, by the professor, not been allowed to be kept by their students.
  14. Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. Unless allowed by each professor, students are expected to complete each assignment without assistance from others, including automated writing tools.

It is important to note that professors may ask students to work in groups. However, if someone in a group commits academic misconduct, the entire group could be held responsible for it as well. Members of groups must clearly document who contributes what parts of the joint project and to know what group members are doing and how they are getting the material they provide. Ignorance is no excuse.

It is also important to be aware of group texts or chats. If another student is attempting to violate the Honor Code, it is your ethical responsibility to report him/her to the Honor Council. Again, membership in a group that attempts or engages in cheating may lead to all members of the group being subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Should professors discover that a student has cheated on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student should receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident should be reported to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Additional penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.”

Appeals of Academic Dishonesty

Students have the right to appeal a faculty member’s charge of academic dishonesty by notifying the TAMIU Honor Council of their intent to appeal as long as the notification of appeal comes within 10 business days of the faculty member’s e-mail message to the student and/or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement. The Student Handbook provides more details.

Exam Monitoring

For online courses, professors may require students to use a proctoring service such as Respondus Monitor, Proctorio, or Examity. Students are responsible for signing up and paying the required fees. This information will be stated under the “Course Materials” section of your syllabus.

Use of Work in Two or More Courses

Students should not submit work completed in one course for a grade in a second course unless you receive explicit permission to do so by the professor of the second course. In general, students should get credit for a work product only once.

Disputes over Academic Matters

Faculty members are responsible for determining course curricula, for developing appropriate methods of evaluating student learning, for evaluating fairly, for upholding academic standards, and for enforcing procedures concerning academic honesty. Decisions made by faculty members regarding the quality or integrity of student work, including decisions about course grades, are presumed to be fair and final (unless the student files a successful grade appeal). In cases of academic violation students may be subject to both grade sanctions and disciplinary action (see Student Violations of Academic Integrity below).

Students who believe that they have grounds for challenging faculty decisions regarding academic issues--excepting those pertaining to matters of academic freedom--may appeal using the procedure outlined below. Faculty members are required to report acts of academic violation to their chair, their Dean, the Provost, the Honor Council (through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement), and the Vice President for Student Success.

Grade sanctions may be imposed only by faculty members. Academic suspension or expulsion may be imposed only by the Provost. As with disputes about course grades, students may appeal grade sanctions imposed for academic violation only by following the procedure outlined below. Students should not attempt to persuade academic administrators to change a grade; they cannot and will not do it unless a student follows the grade appeal policy below and is successful in persuading either the faculty member for the course or an ad-hoc committee of faculty members that a change is warranted.

Student appeals of faculty academic decisions should be completed within 15 University business days after the student’s first meeting with the faculty member to question the faculty member’s decision.

  1. The student must first meet with the faculty member and discuss the faculty member’s decision. This meeting should occur as soon as possible after the decision has been made, normally within one week of the student being notified of the decision. The faculty member is expected to listen to the student, provide an explanation for the decision, and change the grade or decision if the student’s argument is persuasive. To change final course grades, a faculty member must submit a “Grade Change Form” and attach an accompanying memorandum justifying the decision to change the grade. The faculty member’s department chair and Dean must approve the change.
  2. If the faculty member declines to change the decision or grade, the student may then discuss the matter with the faculty member’s immediate academic supervisor (hereafter, “chair” will be used to mean either the department chair or the immediate academic supervisor). If the chair believes that the student’s position has merit, the chair will discuss the matter with the faculty member.
  3. If the student is not satisfied with the chair’s assessment of the issue or if the faculty member declines to change the decision after discussing it with the chair, the student may then request that an ad hoc committee of faculty members review the matter. This committee consists of three tenured faculty members within the same discipline or department unless circumstances dictate otherwise. If the chair determines that a tenured faculty member cannot be selected from the same discipline or department, then the chair may add a tenured faculty member from a closely related discipline. From the pool of eligible tenured faculty members designated by the chair, the faculty member, the student, and the chair will each nominate one faculty member to serve on the committee.
  4. The ad hoc committee will hear from the student, the faculty member, and the chair and examine relevant documents. If the committee sustains the faculty member’s decision, the committee will provide the student with a written statement explaining the reasons for the committee’s decision. The student may request in writing that the committee reconsiders its decision and provides reasons for so doing. If the committee refuses to reconsider or if it reaffirms its original recommendation, the faculty member’s original decision is final. If the committee finds in favor of the student, the committee will provide the faculty member with a written recommendation explaining the committee’s reasons. If the faculty member disagrees with the committee’s recommendation, the faculty member may request that the committee reconsiders its recommendation and provides the committee with a rationale for revisiting the recommendation. If after considering the faculty member’s rationale the ad hoc committee is still persuaded that the faculty member’s original decision should be reversed, the committee will recommend in writing to the chair that the faculty member’s decision be overturned. The committee may also make this recommendation to the chair if the faculty member fails to alter the original decision and also fails to respond to the committee’s original recommendation. The faculty member will receive a copy of the recommendation to the chair, allowing a final opportunity to revise the original decision. If the faculty member fails to comply, the chair may override the faculty member’s original decision, and, as appropriate, revise the student’s course grade. In order to certify that the grade dispute process outlined above has been followed appropriately, the Dean of the College or the School and the Provost will review all decisions by chairs to change grades against the will of a faculty member.

Incomplete Grades

Students who are unable to complete a course should withdraw from the course before the final date for withdrawal and receive a “W.” To qualify for an “incomplete” and thus have the opportunity to complete the course at a later date, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • The student must have completed 90% of the course work assigned before the final date for withdrawing from a course with a “W”, and the student must be passing the course; The student cannot complete the course because an accident, an illness, or a traumatic personal or family event occurred after the final date for withdrawal from a course;
  • The student must sign an “Incomplete Grade Contract” and secure signatures of approval from the professor and the college dean.
  • The student must agree to complete the missing course work before the end of the next long semester; failure to meet this deadline will cause the “I” to automatically be converted to an “F”; extensions to this deadline may be granted by the dean of the college. This is the general policy regarding the circumstances under which an “incomplete” may be granted, but under exceptional circumstances, a student may receive an incomplete who does not meet all of the criteria above if the faculty member, department chair, and dean recommend it.

WIN Contracts

WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to seniors. Only courses offered by full-time TAMIU faculty or TAMIU instructors are eligible to be contracted for the WIN requirement. However, a WIN contract for a course taught by an adjunct may be approved, with special permission from the department chair and dean. Students must seek approval before beginning any work for the WIN Contract. No student will contract more than one course per semester. Summer WIN Contracts must continue through both summer sessions.

Student Responsibility for Withdrawing from a Course

It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course before the final date for withdrawal from a course. Faculty members, in fact, may not drop a student from a course without getting the approval of their department chair and dean.

Independent Study Course

Independent Study (IS) courses are offered only under exceptional circumstances. Required courses intended to build academic skills may not be taken as IS (e.g., clinical supervision and internships). No student will take more than one IS course per semester. Moreover, IS courses are limited to seniors and graduate students. Summer IS course must continue through both summer sessions.

Grade Changes & Appeals

Faculty are authorized to change final grades only when they have committed a computational error or an error in recording a grade, and they must receive the approval of their department chairs and the dean to change the grade. As part of that approval, they must attach a detailed explanation of the reason for the mistake. Only in rare cases would another reason be entertained as legitimate for a grade change. A student who is unhappy with his or her grade on an assignment must discuss the situation with the faculty member teaching the course. If students believe that they have been graded unfairly, they have the right to appeal the grade using the grade appeal process as described in the Student Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook.

Final Examination

All courses in all colleges must include a comprehensive exam or performance and be given on the date and time specified by the Academic Calendar and the Final Exam schedule published by the Registrar’s Office.

Extra-Credit Work

Professors may not give extra-credit opportunities to individual students. If they choose to give extra credit, professors must make it available to all students in a class. Professors are discouraged from giving extra credit for class attendance and/or attendance at university events. Professors should not give extra-credit opportunities after final grades for the semester are submitted.

UConnect, TAMIU E-Mail, and Dusty Alert

Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s Uconnect Portal, TAMIU E-mail, and Blackboard Course Messages, are the official means of communicating course and university business with students and faculty –not the U.S. Mail and no other e-mail addresses. Students and faculty must check UConnect and their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or UConnect message from a faculty member, chair, or dean is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign-up for Dusty Alert (see https://www.tamiu.edu/oit/students/dusty_alrt.shtml). Dusty Alert is an instant cell phone text-messaging system allowing the university to communicate immediately with you if there is an on-campus emergency, something of immediate danger to you, or a campus closing.

Copyright Restrictions

The Copyright Act of 1976 grants copyright owners the exclusive right to reproduce their works and distribute copies of their work. Works that receive copyright protection include published works such as a textbook. Copying a textbook without permission from the owner of the copyright may constitute copyright infringement. Civil and criminal penalties may be assessed for copyright infringement. Civil penalties include damages up to $100,000; criminal penalties include a fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment. Copyright laws do not allow students and professors to make photocopies of copyrighted materials, but you may copy a limited portion of a work, such as article from a journal or a chapter from a book for your own personal academic use or, in the case of a professor, for personal, limited classroom use. In general, the extent of your copying should not suggest that the purpose or the effect of your copying is to avoid paying for the materials. And, of course, you may not sell these copies for a profit. Thus, students who copy textbooks to avoid buying them or professors who provide photocopies of textbooks to enable students to save money are violating the law.

Students with Disabilities

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal education opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services. This office will contact the faculty members to recommend specific, reasonable accommodation. Faculty are prohibited from making accommodations based solely on communications from students. They may make accommodation only when provided documentation by the Student Counseling and Disability Services office.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions, is prohibited. A pregnant/parenting student must be granted an absence for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary. It is a violation of Title IX to ask for documentation relative to the pregnant/parenting student’s status beyond what would be required for other medical conditions. If a student would like to file a complaint for discrimination due to his or her pregnant/parenting status, please contact the Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041; TitleIX@tamiu.edu; 956.326.2857) and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office, U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600). You can also report it on TAMIU’s anonymous electronic reporting site: www.tamiu.edu/reportit.

TAMIU advises a pregnant/parenting student to notify their professor once the student is aware that accommodations for such will be necessary. It is recommended that the student and professor develop a reasonable plan for the student’s completion of missed coursework or assignments. The Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, lorissam.cortez@tamiu.edu) can assist the student and professor in working out the reasonable accommodations. For other questions or concerns regarding Title IX compliance related to pregnant/parenting students at the University, contact the Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator. In the event that a student will need a leave of absence for a substantial period of time, TAMIU urges the student to consider a Leave of Absence (LOA) as outlined in the TAMIU Student Handbook. As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule and the Student LOA Rule. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook.

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and “shall not discriminate against any student or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom.” Moreover, the university is committed to assisting all students to continue their education and maintain their academic progress. TAMIU strives to develop programs and establish services that support all students regardless of their unique challenges. We realize that being both a student and parenting a child(ren) has helped you develop strengths but also comes with unique challenges. For this, TAMIU has identified a "parenting liaison" to assist students who are parents of children under 18 years or expecting. The parenting liaison will work with you and the TIX office to meet your needs. This webpage educates you on relevant policies, programs, and resources. Please note that parenting and pregnancy statuses apply to both partners, regardless of sex or gender identity. If you have any questions, please contact the Parenting Liaison, Mayra Hernandez at mghernandez@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2265, or visit Student Center 226.

Anti-Discrimination/Title IX

TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in admissions, educational programs, or employment. If you would like to file a complaint relative to Title IX or any civil rights violation, please contact the Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041; TitleIX@tamiu.edu; 956.326.2857) or via the anonymous electronic reporting website, ReportIt, at www.tamiu.edu/reportit, and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office), U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600.