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Detailed Grading Policy
PROFESSOR B. IVERSON
CHEMISTRY 320N
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
3% is the Daily Quizzes total for the semester
10% is your Homework Grade (20% Akitiv Learning Grade / 80% Gradescope Grade) for the semester
52% is your highest two midterm scores (the higher of the raw percentage or T score). Each midterm is worth 26% of your final grade, we automatically drop the lowest of the three including cases in which you miss one.
35% is your score on the final (the higher of the raw percentage or T score).
Score .............................Letter Grade
93.0000 < T ...............................A
90.0000 < T < 93.0000 ..............A-
87.0000 < T < 90.0000 ..............B+
83.0000 < T < 87.0000 ..............B
80.0000 < T < 83.0000 ..............B-
77.0000 < T < 80.0000 ..............C+
73.0000 < T < 77.0000 ..............C
70.0000 < T < 73.0000 ..............C-
67.0000 < T < 70.0000 ..............D+
63.0000 < T < 67.0000 ..............D
60.0000 < T < 63.0000 ..............D-
T < 60.0000 ...............................F
NOTE: WE DO NOT ROUND SCORES. AN 89.92 IS ENTERED AS 89.92, N0T 90.00.
The scores earned on each of the exams in this course will be recorded as raw percentages and also converted to Standard T-Scores. The Standard T-Score is computed as follows:
T = [(x-X/s) •10] + 80
where:
x = your raw test score
X = the class mean score =Sigma x/N
N = number of test scores
s = standard deviation = [Sigma (x-X)2/(N-1)]1/2
Using Standard T-Scores allows an effective averaging of grades without introducing a bias in favor of tests with the greatest standard deviations. Since it is based on a normal (Gaussian) distribution, it generally represents the fairest way of grading. (Nearly all national exams such as the SAT, MCAT, and GRE use a similar form of Standard T-Scores)
*****Important Notice****** In general, using T-scores increases everyone's grades compared to using absolute percentages. Nevertheless, we will keep track of your percentage scores on every test. If the percentage scores are ever higher than your T-score, we will use the percentage score for your course grade calculation. Thus, if everyone does extremely well in this course, no grade will be lowered by using a curving system!
Taken together, the mid-term examinations will count for 52% of the final course grade. Plan NOW to be present for these exams! During the semester, however, one exam may be missed for any reason whatsoever without penalty. If you take all three exams, we will automatically drop your lowest grade. Failure to take two mid-term exams will result in an automatic F (or, in the case of justifiable excuse, an X) being assigned in 320N. It is particularly important that students avoid any potential conflicts between these scheduled evening exams and any other activities such as laboratory classes. If unavoidable conflicts exist, please come see me immediately. Please note, I am sorry for any inconvenience these out of class three hour exams might cause, but we do things this way for your own protection because:
1) We can use rooms large enough to ensure no cheating is taking place during the exam.
2) The three hour format means we can administer tests that are comprehensive, yet do not have unreasonable time limits. Thus, you will have a chance to show what you know, not just how fast you can write.
Note that for the midterm exam grade that is dropped, the homework points for the weeks leading up to that exam do not count for any other exams. Also, for any exam for which you arrive after the official start time, you will only be allowed to enter the exam room is not a single student has already finished and left. BE ON TIME!!
The final exam, accounting for 35% of the course grade, will be comprehensive in its coverage of the material presented in Chemistry 320N. There will be no make-up exam for the final and it may not be taken at an alternative time for any reason. Specifically, failure to take the final exam at the scheduled time and place without an approved, documented excuse will automatically result in a failing grade being assigned for 320N. A documented, excused absence at the final will result in an Incomplete being assigned for the course. An example of a documented, excused absense is a note from a doctor that states you are physically UNABLE to attend the final. Simply not feeling your best is NOT considered to be an excused absence, as we all have days in which we are not feeling well but must take care of our responsibilities anyway. If you are up and walking around campus on the day of the final, you must take it. NO EXCEPTIONS.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: Many of you have been asking. Because the most important thing to me is that you learn the material, not WHEN you learn the material, if you score higher on the final than two of your midterms, we will replace your second highest midterm grade with your grade on the final for your course grade calculation. Just to be clear, no matter what everyone needs to take the final and the grade you get on the final will count. However, there is no jeopardy here, if your grade on the final is lower than your two highest midterm grades then we will determine your course grade as stated in the syllabus using both midterm grades. In other words, this can only help you.
Academic Dishonesty:
Honor Code
University Code of Conduct
"The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community."
Any violation of the above Honor Code that occurs during an exam or in the regrading process will result in a 0 being assigned for that exam and the student involved will be formally reported to the Dean of Students, where they will be subject to additional penalties or actions. The exam with the 0 will be automatically counted in the final grade calculation at the end of the semester.
To guard against altered exams being submitted for a regrade, we routinely copy a large number of exams following grading but prior to handing them back.
Regrades:
Exams can be turned in for regrades. Regrades must be submitted within 7 days after the exam is handed back. They can be handed the to myself or one of the TA's. You must indicate what problems need to be regraded, and provide a brief explanation for your concern. The entire exam will be regraded.
Exam rules:
The midterms and final are in-person only. You will not be allowed to have any reference materials or any other aids during the exams. Because of recent incidents, you will not be allowed to interact with your cell phone in any way during exams. No exceptions. Turn them off, or leave them at home. ***Interacting with a cell phone during an exam will be considered a violation of the Honor Code and will result in a 0 being recorded for your grade on the exam, no matter what you were actually doing with the phone.***
Quizzes and Homework:
There will be Daily Quizzes following each lecture, due at 10 PM the day after the lecture. Your Daily Quizzes average will be 3% of your final course grade.
There will also be homework problem sets each week (except exam weeks). These will be a combination of electronic and written. Your homework average will be 10% of your final course grade. These homework problem sets will be assigned on Tuesday of each week, and will be due at 10 PM on Monday the following week. There will be an electronic component to some of the homeworks, and we will be using the Aktiv Learning system. You must sign up and pay for this system. We believe this will be WELL worth it to you because these electronic homeworks use the best structure drawing algorithm out there and will provide you with accurate and constant feedback that will improve your learning. Seriously, I would not ask you to use this system if I was not convinced it will help all of you a great deal. Click here to sign up for the Aktiv Learning homework system. The written portion of the homework problem sets will be uploaded using Gradescope (Gradescope is free to you) so you do not have to turn in a paper copy. Click here for how to use Gradescope.
The answers to the Gradescope Homework Problem Sets will be posted here each week so it is essential that you look these over. They will prepare you well for the exams. The Aktiv Learning homework provides multiple attempts and provides feedback. It is intended to help you prepare for the Gradescope Questions so we recommend you do the Aktiv Learning questions first.
At the beginning of the semester, we will grade many of the homework problems as if they were on an exam. We want you to become familiar with what is expected on exams. After the first three homeworks, we will only be grading based on effort. For these homeworks it will be up to you to check the accuracy of your answers against the answers we will post.
Incompletes:
A student is expected to complete a course, including a self-paced course, in a single semester, summer term, or summer session. If the course is not completed as expected, the student normally will not be given additional time to complete it, or allowed to do additional work to achieve a better grade. In rare instances, for nonacademic reasons and at the discretion of the instructor, a temporary delay of the final course grade, symbol X, may be recorded.Approved uses of the symbol X. The symbol X is not issued for student or faculty convenience; it may be issued for one of the following reasons only in the case of compelling, nonacademic circumstances beyond the student's control.
Missing the final examination. The student is unable to take a final examination because of illness or for another nonacademic reason. A physician's statement or other satisfactory verification is required.
Incomplete classroom assignment. The student has not been able to complete the required class or laboratory assignments for a reason other than lack of adequate effort. A request for temporary delay of the final course grade because of incomplete class or laboratory work can be made only if the student has a passing average on the classwork or laboratory work already completed and has taken and passed the final examination (unless a final examination is not given in the course or the student is unable to take the examination for reasons indicated in the previous paragraph).
Reexamination petition. Only a student who has a grade average of at least C- on all classwork and laboratory work submitted before the final examination may request a temporary delay of the final course grade because he or she failed the final examination, which is the examination given during the final examination period as defined in the official examination schedule. If the instructor denies the student's reexamination petition, the student's final course grade remains as originally determined. If the instructor grants the petition, and the student earns a grade of at least C- on the reexamination, then the instructor substitutes the reexamination grade for the original examination grade in determining the student's final course grade. If the instructor grants the petition, and the student earns a grade on the reexamination of less than C-, then a final course grade of F must be recorded.
An incomplete (X) is a temporary delay in reporting the final course grade. An X may properly be assigned for students who must miss the final due to illness or other imperative nonacademic reasons. An X may also be given when the student has not been able to complete all the required assignments for reasons other than lack of diligence but only if the student has a passing grade on the work completed. Documentation of non-medical excuses will be required. In general it is best for students to see a counselor in their Dean's Office regarding non-medical excuses for missing the final. Just to be clear, you will be required to have a written medical excuse stating you are physically unable to attend the final signed by the person who treated you if the reason for the request for a postponed final is illness. Simply not feeling your best is NOT considered to be an excused absence, as we all have days in which we are not feeling well but must take care of our responsibilities anyway. If you are up and walking around campus on the day of the final, you must take it. NO EXCEPTIONS. Students have one long semester to make up an X and extensions are rare. After one long semester, the X converts to an F if no other grade is reported.
An X will not be assigned to allow the student an opportunity to repeat the entire course; the only assignments or exams that should be completed to resolve the X are those that were missed for legitimate reasons during the semester. In addition, the X should be assigned only if the student has been informed and the exact procedures by which the student will make up the work are agreed upon. The assignment of an X constitutes a contract between the student and the instructor. It is often helpful to have the arrangement in writing, specifying what the student is expected to do to complete the course, including due dates.
Policy on Exam Coverage:
You will be responsible for all material covered up to the Tuesday lecture the week of each midterm unless I say otherwise in class. Also, the pace of the class can vary, so do not be concerned if we are not on the same schedule as descibed below under "proposed exam topics". The bottom line is that you are only responsible for the material covered in the Tuesday lecture the week of each midterm, NO MATTER WHAT THE SCHEDULE IN THE SYLLABUS SAYS ABOUT "UNITS" COVERED ON EACH MIDTERM.