Grading

· There are three exams for this class. Each exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions worth 1 point each. A score of 60 points is equivalent to 100% for the exam.

· There are six homework assignments. Assignments 1,2,4,5 are worth 20 points each

· Assignments 3 and 6 both have extra credit questions worth 5 points so each of these assignments is worth 25 points.

· The total HW is therefore worth 130 points and your possible HW score is equivalent to 130% … not 100%!

· In order to compute your final grade, I total up your four % scores and divide by 4. Note that scaling the HW to 130% and averaging it with the 100% max score for the exams means that you could, in principle, score higher than 100% for the course (see examples below). In other words, EXTRA CREDIT IS BUILT INTO THE HW!

· If you fail to hand in a homework assignment you may complete the Make-up HW assignment (see syllabus for due date). If you miss an exam because of an excused absence such as: (i) university-sponsored conflict, (ii) signed doctor’s excuse, etc., you may take a Make-up exam, scheduled for the last day of classes (see syllabus). You obtain permission from me to do this. Note! The Make-up Exam is comprehensive, i.e., material on the Make-exam covers the entire course!

Your final grade will be based on the scale given below (I will give out some +’s and –‘s.  Typically, they will be given for scores within 1-2 points of the scale limits quoted below):

>85% A

<85% B >75%

<75% C >55%

<55% D >45%

<45% E

As an example, suppose your scores are as follows:

· Exam_1 51 / 60 = 85.0% (Your maximum possible score is 100%)

· Exam_2            47 / 60 = 78.33% (Your maximum possible score is 100%)

· Exam_3           44 / 60  = 73.33% (Your maximum possible score is 100%)

· HW_tot      105 / 100  = 105% (Your maximum possible score is 120%)

Your final % score would be (85 + 78.33 + 73.33 + 105) / 4 = 82.9%.  You can be certain that you would receive at least a B grade.  I will not, under any circumstances, raise the value of any of the above grade scale limits, but I might lower them … depending on how well the class performs overall … which could possibly raise your grade!  This policy can act only in your favor.

Please Note

· Suppose you earned the maximum possible score for all three exams and the HW. Your final % total would be 105%!

· Suppose you fail to hand in 1 HW assignment, but earn the maximum score on everything else. Your final % total would be 100%!

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