Grading

Getting good grades can sometimes feel stressful, especially in an online course. To help reduce that stress and improve the likelihood of success, give yourself the time and space you need to do your best work. Avoid procrastinating, stay engaged with the course each week, and reach out for help if you get stuck.

Grades in this class are intended to reflect your learning progress. There are no hidden points or surprises. You complete the work, demonstrate your understanding, and earn points accordingly. Assignments include detailed rubrics and feedback so you understand how your work is being evaluated and how you can continue improving.

I strongly encourage you to review the Grades page regularly and read my assignment feedback carefully, especially on discussions. If something does not seem right or you have questions about your progress, please reach out.

Breakdown by Percentage

Assignment types are weighted by percent of your overall course grade as follows: 

• graded video quizzes (40%); 

• module quizzes (25%); 

• collaborative discussions (35%)

Understanding Your Current Grade

Your course grade is calculated using weighted assignment categories, not by simply adding together all points earned in the course. Canvas calculates your percentage within each category and then applies that category’s weight.

Your current grade is based on the assignments graded so far, so it may fluctuate considerably early in the term. Because discussions account for 40% of your course grade, a zero or low score on an early discussion can have a large immediate impact. As you complete more discussions, each individual score represents a smaller portion of that category, so the effect of an early low score usually becomes less pronounced. However, the score remains part of your grade and will continue to affect your final course grade.

Grading Guidelines

The Course Schedule, posted in Module 1, provides an overview of weekly assignments. Use the Syllabus tab in the Canvas course navigation menu to keep track of exact deadlines. All due dates and times are listed in Pacific Time.

Check the Grades area regularly, and open each graded assignment to review any comments, rubric results, or other feedback. If you have a question or concern about an assignment grade, contact me within 48 hours after the grade is posted so we can review it promptly. Requests to reconsider an assignment score must be raised within this timeframe.

Letter grades are assigned as follows: A (90–100%); B (80–89.99%); C (70–79.99%); D (60–69.99%); and F (below 60%). The interpretation of each grade, along with its value in grade points per semester unit, can be found in the Pierce College General Catalog.

Borderline final grades are reviewed individually rather than rounded automatically. In determining whether an adjustment is appropriate, I may consider your overall pattern of learning and engagement, including substantial improvement over the term, completion of assigned work, viewing of embedded course videos, thoughtful participation in discussions, and adherence to the course’s AI use and academic integrity policies. Any adjustment is made at my discretion and is not guaranteed.

An Incomplete (“I”) may be considered when unforeseen, emergency, and justifiable circumstances prevent you from completing the course near the end of the term. An Incomplete requires prior arrangement with me and is not granted automatically.

Graded Video Quizzes

Each module contains several graded video quizzes embedded directly into lesson videos. These assignments are designed to help you learn key concepts and prepare for quizzes and discussions.

You are expected to watch each video carefully and complete the embedded questions. Canvas tracks video participation, and videos must be watched at least once in full to receive credit.

• Unlimited attempts

• Highest score recorded

• Due Sundays by 11:59 pm

• Covered by the 48-hour grace period

Module Quizzes

Several quizzes will assess your understanding of key concepts across multiple modules. Course content is provided through Canvas pages that include text, interactive figures, images, videos, and animations.

Quizzes are open-note. This means that you may use your own notes and any materials provided in this course while completing the quizzes. Do not use internet searches, outside sources, or Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer quiz questions. Refer to the Artificial Intelligence Policy for additional details.

• Timed with one attempt

• Questions are randomized

• Due Sundays by 11:59 pm

• Covered by the 48-hour grace period

Collaborative Discussions

Collaborative discussions are a core component of this course. They are designed to strengthen your scientific reasoning while helping build a sense of community in our online classroom as you apply course concepts to real-world features, observations, issues, and current events.

All discussions include:

• An initial post

• Required peer replies

• Detailed instructions, grading rubrics, video tutorials, and sample posts

Discussion deadlines are strict because these assignments depend on active participation and interaction within the class community.

• Initial posts due Thursdays by 11:59 pm

• Peer replies due Sundays by 11:59 pm

• Late discussion posts are not accepted for credit, and missing the initial post deadline results in a zero on the assignment

Course Surveys and Self-Assessments

A few assignments throughout the semester ask you to reflect on your learning, study strategies, and experience in the course. Anonymous course surveys also provide feedback that helps improve the class for future students.

All assignment deadlines are listed in the Canvas Calendar and the Syllabus Course Summary. The late policies below apply only to properly submitted assignments. To provide limited flexibility while maintaining course progress, certain assignments include built-in grace periods, as outlined below.

Video and Module Quizzes: 48-Hour Grace Period

Quizzes include a built-in 48-hour grace period. During this time, quizzes will still be accepted, but credit will be reduced by 1 percent per hour after the deadline. This policy encourages you to submit work as soon as possible, even if something unexpected comes up at the last minute.

Collaborative Discussions: No Grace Period

• Discussions are an exception to the late work policy. Because students cannot view classmates’ posts until they submit their own initial post, timely participation is essential for meaningful discussion and interaction.

• To earn credit for a discussion assignment, you must submit your initial post by the original Thursday deadline and complete the required peer replies by the Sunday deadline. Late posts are not accepted for credit. This applies to both initial posts and peer replies.

• Discussions are open for at least a week, so you have time to plan ahead. Please post early to avoid last-minute stress or technical problems.

• If extenuating or emergency circumstances prevent you from participating by the deadline, contact me as soon as possible with documentation. Getting called into work, last-minute technical problems, or forgetting about the deadline are not considered extenuating circumstances. No submissions can be accepted after the discussion forum closes on Sunday night.

• Plan accordingly and prioritize the timely completion of these collaborative assignments.