Math 229
Fall 2005
Grading Tables
Labs: There will be a total of 22 lab assignments. I will keep the best 17 scores. Each lab is worth the same as every other lab assignment. Labs are started at the end of each class period except for review and test days. They may be due at the end of the period or they may be due at the start of the next class period, to be decided on a day-by-day basis by the instructor.
In grading the lab, I initially give each problem however many points I think is reasonable given its difficulty and appropriateness for partial credit. When the entire lab is graded, I then scale it to a 10 point scale. In particular, I take the quotient (your total)/(total possible), and then multiply by 10. If the decimal part starts with a 2 or higher, I round up. If the decimal part starts with a zero or a one, I round down.
Homework: There are homework assignments for each section. The labs are minimal in scope, and will not give you the necessary practice in the skills and ideas for you to succeed on the exams. I will not collect the homework, but it is in your best interest to do the assignments.
Exams: Each regular exam covers the material since the last exam. The exam dates are given here. I do not particularly care whether or not you take the final exam with your section or with the other section that I teach. If you are free at the other final exam time and wish to switch sections for any reason, all you have to do is tell me in advance, before I make copies of the exam. Note, you do not need to ask permission, just let me know. The issue is simply to make sure that I have enough exams for everyone who shows up. The scheduled time for the 9:30 section is on the first day of the final exam schedule, and the time for the 8:00 section is on the second to last day, so they are well separated.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. If you have more than two unexcused absences during the term, for each absence past the second your final course grade will be lowered by 2%. In addition to this outright penalty, missing class will likely mean that you won't understand the material as well as you should and your homework, lab, and exam grades will likely suffer as well. Missing class is strongly discouraged.
For an absence due to military duty, jury duty, or other legal requirement, you must give me notice as soon as feasible and prior to the absence. Also, documentation will be required for the absence to be excused. For an absence due to an official university activity, you must give me written notice at least two weeks prior to the absence, as per university policy, for the absence to be excused. I feel it is necessary to point out that relatively few faculty members or coaches remember to provide this notice in that time frame, but it is up to you to remind them, since insufficient notice will be your problem, not theirs. For an absence due to personal reasons such as illness or family emergencies, you should notify me as soon as feasible, before the absence in most cases. In order for a makeup exam to be graded, written documentation of the reason for the absence will be required. Example are: a note from the doctor saying you were seen (it does not have to say what you were seen for), a copy of the police report for a minor car accident, funeral program or obituary, etc..
Labs may or may not be made up, depending on the particular lab. Labs that I collect at the end of the period can not be made up. For labs that I collect at the start of the next period you may get a copy from me in my office, and submit it with the rest of the class. Otherwise, labs can not be made up except in the case of extended illnesses or out-of-town military duty (more than 3 class days).
Absences due to family vacations, reunions, weddings, etc., are not excused absences unless you inform me of them by Tuesday, Aug. 30. I expect you to schedule such events around your class schedules if they come up during the semester, especially since the exam dates are already set. In addition, one-day illnesses will not be excused absences if they occur on any day but an exam day. If it occurs on an exam day, I expect you to go to the health center to get checked out.
Grading Scales:
| Percent of Course Grade | |
| Labs | 17% |
|
Exam 1 |
16% |
| Exam 2 | 16% |
| Exam 3 | 16% |
| Exam 4 | 16% |
| Final | 19% |
|
Grading Scale |
|
| Grade | Percent |
| A+ | 98% and higher |
| A | 91%-97% |
| A- | 90% |
| B+ | 88%-89% |
| B | 81%-87% |
| B- | 80% |
| C+ | 78%-79% |
| C | 71%-77% |
| C- | 70% |
| D+ | 68%-69% |
| D | 61%-67% |
| D- | 60% |
| F | 59% and lower |
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