Grading

Grading will consist of two in-class tests and a comprehensive final. The two in-class tests will count 25% each and the final 50%. Scores will be normalized before weighting. The final will be cumulative. Tests will consist of short answer and essay style questions. Examinations will only be given at scheduled times. There are no excused missed examinations. Missed examinations will count as a score of 0. Plus/minus grading will not be used.

All examinations are closed book, closed note. Students may bring a calculator into the exam room but the calculator's memory must be purged of all class related material before entering the exam room.

There will be a series of homework assignments submitted by email. The homework scores will be added to the score on next test. Students not submitting homework will receive a point deduction on the next test.

For those statistically inclined, your course score determines your grade and is computed using the following formula:

The course score shows how well you performed relative to other students' mean performance. A negative score denotes below average student performance. A positive course score denotes above average student performance. For the purpose of assigning grades all sections of the course for the semester are considered as a group.

Grades are assigned using a modified curve. Roughly speaking, A's are earned by all students who average two standard deviation above the mean on the tests and final (a course score of 2). B's are earned by students averaging 1 standard deviation above the mean. C's are earned by students averaging 0 standard deviation below the mean. D's and F's are given to students scoring below -.5 standard deviations from the mean.

The course scores required for each grade are adjusted for the overall performance of all sections in a given semester relative to the historical performance of past classes.