// How will you compute course grades?
If you show an A-level mastery of calculus in this class, then you will get an A for the course. The same goes for any other grade you might earn in the course.
At the end of the semeter, I will determine your grade by adding up the total number of points that each student earned throughout the course, ranking those numbers from highest to lowest, and considering the difficulty and expectations of the course to determine where fair cutoffs are for A-level work, B-level work, and so on.
// Is there a curve?
There is no such thing as a “curve” in my classes, because I do not use the arbitrary scales that you may have been used to in high school (the old “80 percent is an B,” etc). I will give you letter grades on quizzes and tests so that you have a sense of how you are doing in the class. I do not use Canvas to post numerical approximations of your grade throughout the semester, but you can always look at a weighted average of your own performance on quizzes and tests to estimate how you are doing in the course. In addition, Iam happy to talk to you in person about your grades at any time.
Most importantly, you are not competing with each other; the grades of other students in the class have no absolutely no bearing on your grade. You’re either doing A-level work, or you’re not; how other people happen to be doing in the class cannot change that. I am perfectly happy to give you all A’s if you each perform at that level. Work together and help each other!
// Points you can earn in this course
Here are the points that will be available for you to earn throughout the semester:
- Class Participation
Participate in group work and presentations = 50 points - Daily Quizzes
Drop three lowest/absent
2 points each x 25 Daily Quizzes = 50 Points - Friday Quizzes
Drop one lowest/absent
20 points each x 10 Friday Quizzes = 200 points - Tests
100 points each x 2 Tests = 200 points - Final Exam
200 points x 1 Final = 200 points
I may occasionally offer small extra credit opportunities to the class for attending seminars, going to the SUMS conference, or other things, for a maximum of 20 possible extra credit points per student.
// Withdrawls
The last day you can drop a class without anything appearing on your transcript is the university Course Adjustment Drop/Add deadline of September 6. After that, you can drop a class and get a “W” on your transcript until the university Withdrawl deadline of October 27. In extraordinary situations, grades of “WP” or “WF” can be given after the Withdrawl deadline, at the instructor’s discretion. In my classes “WP” grades can only be given if the student has a current average of “C-” or better in the class at the time of withdrawl. Please discuss your situation with your academic advisor before withdrawing from this or any class.