Course Grade: I do not use a predetermined precentage of total points for
each grade, but I determine the percentage at the end of the course
based on my assessment of how hard the different parts of the
course were. Generally, however, I draw the C/D line somewhere
around 65-70% of total points.
Homework (Java programs): Each homework program is described on a separate web page.
All programs will be counted for credit.
Programs turned in after the due date will be subject to a late
penalty (to be announced -- does not apply to the first program).
Programs are not like homework in a math class, but they are an
especially important part of the course, more like
laboratories in an engineering class -- you must complete a majority
of them to do well in the course, and a student with perfect exams and
no programs will not get a good grade in the course. The programs will cover material
that is not adequately tested elsewhere.
Exam Seating:
We have enough room in class so that no one will need to sit next
to someone else duing an exam.
In general I don't give makeup exams, but just
count the other course elements for greater credit.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive, with
greater emphasis on material after the mid-term exam.
Grade Distributions: I do not provide information to students
about the performance
of other students. In particular, I do not give exam averages
or distributions, since such information is irrelevant -- you
are not competing with other students for a limited number of
good grades, and a single course is too small a unit in which
to expect a normal distribution of grades.
Exam Grading: If you have questions about the
grading of the mid-term exam, you should write your
concerns on the exam itself, indicating each problem and the reasons
for concern. Then I will regrade the entire exam. You are expected
to list all concerns at one time, so that only one iteration
is needed.
What your grade will be: I do not answer questions of the form:
"What grade do I need on the final to make X grade in the course?" There are too many
variables for me to speculate in this way, and I can only recommend
that you try hard, consistent with keeping good grades in other courses
(and staying sane).
Revision date:2004-09-21.
(Please use ISO 8601,
the International Standard Date and Time Notation.)