Grading Scale and Policies
Grades will be assigned on the usual A-F basis. Grading will be absolute;
there will be no "curve". Achieving a 90% will guarantee an "A", 80%
a "B", and so on. However, when the final grades are given, it could be the
case, for example, that an 85% gets an "A". Do not confuse this with a curve,
however. If everyone does A work (as I hope), everyone will get an A. If
everyone does C work, everyone will get a C. So that you know your grade
at all times, four fictitious students will be given grades for each assignment
and exam. These students will be named "Min A", "Min B", etc., indicating
the minimum score for each grade.
Grading will be divided as follows:
- Unannounced Quizzes: 15%
- Midterm and final exam: 40% (20% each)
- Programming Projects: 40%
- Class participation: 5%
Grading Timeliness
I take seriously deadlines and expect you to turn everything in on time.
In return, I will adhere to the following grading return policies.
- All programming assignments will be returned within two weeks.
- All exams will be returned within one week.
- The grades will be kept up to date; you can find them on the
CSc 522 D2L site.
Note that I will not use
D2L for anything other than posting grades.
Requests for incomplete (I) or withdrawal (W) must be made in accordance with University policies, which are available
here and
here, respectively.
Important: Your grade will be the one you earn. If you need
this class to graduate, I suggest that you earn a good enough grade.
Under no circumstances will your graduation or visa status
affect your grade. This includes situations such as: (1) your
parents are coming for graduation, (2) your relatives are flying in from halfway
around the world for your graduation, (3) you have a job lined up and
have to start immediately, (4) you got all A's up to this point, and you
have never received a grade below an A, and/or (5) you will have to leave the
country if you do not achieve a certain grade.