Updated 7/12/99
TYour grade is based on performance on two in-class exams, a comprehensive final, and your score on a series of homeworks and quizes.
The in-class exams each count 25% and the final counts 50%. The homework and quiz scores are added to the next exam.
The letter grade which you receive depends upon your normalized course score. Your normailized score measures how far from the mean performance of all students taking the class your score is. Your normalized score is computed by taking your score subtracting the mean and dividing by the standard deviation.
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 1.5 standard deviation above the mean on the tests and final (a course score of 1.5). B's are earned by students averaging .5 standard deviations above the mean. C's are earned by students averaging -.25 standard deviation below the mean. D's and F's are given to students scoring below -.25 standard deviations 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.
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.