Grading Formula
Grading Formula and assigned work for CS 173
Your final average is a weighted combination of your averages on exams, homeworks, discussion problems, and tutorial attendance. Specifically
Homeworks — 30% — if you do well on homeworks, you will do well in this course
Midterms (two) — 30% — if you complete homeworks successfully, you should excel on midterms
Final — 20% — if you excel on midterms you should excel on final, which is comprehensive
Quizzes, Attendance, Participation, Office Hours, and other activities — 20% — instructor's discretion
Standard +/- Scale: 90% or higher is the cutoff for an A- (similarly for B,C,D); 87% or higher is the cutoff for a B+ (and so on). A+ is reserved by the instructor's discretion. 59% or less is an F.
A+ < 105.0 % to 99.0%
A < 99.0 % to 95.0%
A- < 95.0 % to 90.0%
B+ < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B < 87.0 % to 84.0%
B- < 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+ < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C < 77.0 % to 74.0%
C- < 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+ < 70.0 % to 67.0%
D < 67.0 % to 64.0%
D- < 64.0 % to 60.0%
Monitoring grades
You are responsible for keeping an eye on your eLearn gradebook and promptly reporting apparent errors. See the FAQ for how to report grading and/or entry problems.
If the scores you are receiving alarm you, seek help.
Readings and lectures
You are expected to prepare for each lecture by doing the posted readings. Basic material (e.g. basic definitions) is typically not covered in the lectures and is tested in the class Quiz.
Active Participation
Students are expected to participate actively. Active participation goes beyond mere attendance. Showing up to class is good and earns a B. To get an A in this category, students must be actively asking and answering questions, in-class, on Slack, or during office hours.
Collaboration
Working in small groups of two or three is highly encouraged. Similar or identical code, or the use of tutors, are OK and not cheating. If you work in a small team, then offer credit appropriately to your teammates by writing in the margin, e.g., "Got help from Samantha." If you come across a solution online, you offer credit by writing, e.g., "Found online: http://blah.com." If the professor covered it in class or office hours, say so. You cannot get in trouble for acknowledging help. But the converse is true: you can get in serious trouble for failing to do so. A good helper should ask questions rather than give answers, they "teach you to fish, not feed you the fish."