The Summer 2014 ECE 313 Grading Scheme
Grade Distribution Formula:
Scores will be weighted as shown below to determine your total score, which in turn,
will determine your grade.
- 10% Concept matrix points
- 30% Quizzes (average of your highest nine out of twelve quiz scores)
- 30% Midterm exams (2 @ 15% each)
- 30% Final Examination
Letter Grades:
After computing each student's total score we find the mean m and the
standard deviation s of the total scores.
Letter grades are assigned using cut-offs that
are based roughly
on a mixture of
- objective criteria (85% = A, 70% = B, 55% = C, etc.),
and
- statistical criteria (above-average scores = B or better, etc.).
As a rough guideline, we intend to award
- A's to scores greater than min(m+s,85)
- B's to scores in the range min(m,70) to min(m+s,85),
- C's to scores in the range min(m-s,55) to min(m,70)
- D's to scores in the range max(m-2s,45) to min(m-s,55)
- F's to scores below max(m-2s,45)
+ and - grades are typically awarded at the edges of the above cut-offs.
The percentages of A's and B's awarded in ECE 313 are comparable to those
awarded in 300-level required courses in the ECE Department.
Notes regarding grading practices
- The reason for saying rough guideline
is that we reserve the right to make minor adjustments
(upwards or
downwards) to each cut-off
to avoid discriminating between students on the basis of very
small differences in scores. If we must determine a given cut-off where
there is no obvious gap in
scores, we will be favorably influenced by strong performance on the final
exam.
- Regardless of your exam performance and the settings of the
cut-offs, however, you will receive the same grade as everyone who has
the same total score as you, and nobody who has a lower
total score will receive a higher grade than you.