Thank you all for a great semester.
This is my fifth year of teaching at the college level, and it probably goes without saying that some semesters are better than others. This has been a very good semester. You all have been great, and I especially appreciate all the positive feedback on the course.
I look forward to seeing you all around campus, and I hope some of you will consider taking some higher-level course in political science. As always, I am usually around the Allen Building if you I can ever be of assistance.
So, this is my last official post for the semester. I will probably post a few house-keeping items of the next week, such as some details on the final grade distribution, etc. So, check back if you like.
Have a great summer, and good luck.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Office Hours Reminder
My final set of office hours for the semester will be Monday morning from 8:30-11:00. My office, again, is 2117 in the Allen Building.
Final Grades Are Up
I received grades for the third exam from the scantron folks this afternoon, and I have been able to post them (and the lingering extra credit points I have not yet gotten up) along with final grades for the course.
A few notes:
Letter grades are assigned on the basis of the scale in the syllabus, i.e. above 90-A, 80-89-B, etc. I took the liberty of rounding up (so As start at 89.5). I assume that no one will mind.
To calculate your final numerical grade by hand, you must compute a weighted average of the three exams. Exam 1 is 25% of the total. Exam 2 is 35%. Exam 3 is 40%.
If you were in class on Monday and signed in for the relevant extra credit, you have a "y" in the LAST DAY column in the grade book. If you are in this group, I gave an extra half point in rounding for assigning final letter grades (so, an A for an 89, for example). This bumped about 15 up a letter.
I haven't had time to calculate a full grade distribution, but it looks like something around 10% of the class got an A, 35% got a B, 35% got a C, 15% got a D, and about 5% got an F. I'll post more details later.
As a reminder, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of your academic records. I am prohibited by law (and university policy) from communicating with anyone but you (or other approved university personnel) about your grades. I am also prohibited from communicating information about your grades to you via unsecured communications methods (including e-mail) or when I cannot verify your identity (such a a telephone call). So, if you wish to speak with me about your grades, the conversation must be initiated in person. My office hours on Monday (from 8:30-11:00AM) would be an excellent opportunity to do so.
A few notes:
Letter grades are assigned on the basis of the scale in the syllabus, i.e. above 90-A, 80-89-B, etc. I took the liberty of rounding up (so As start at 89.5). I assume that no one will mind.
To calculate your final numerical grade by hand, you must compute a weighted average of the three exams. Exam 1 is 25% of the total. Exam 2 is 35%. Exam 3 is 40%.
If you were in class on Monday and signed in for the relevant extra credit, you have a "y" in the LAST DAY column in the grade book. If you are in this group, I gave an extra half point in rounding for assigning final letter grades (so, an A for an 89, for example). This bumped about 15 up a letter.
I haven't had time to calculate a full grade distribution, but it looks like something around 10% of the class got an A, 35% got a B, 35% got a C, 15% got a D, and about 5% got an F. I'll post more details later.
As a reminder, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of your academic records. I am prohibited by law (and university policy) from communicating with anyone but you (or other approved university personnel) about your grades. I am also prohibited from communicating information about your grades to you via unsecured communications methods (including e-mail) or when I cannot verify your identity (such a a telephone call). So, if you wish to speak with me about your grades, the conversation must be initiated in person. My office hours on Monday (from 8:30-11:00AM) would be an excellent opportunity to do so.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Exam 3 grades and office hours
I expect to be able to post grades from exam 3 on Thursday or Friday. When I do, I will also post final grades for the course.
I will hold office hours next Monday (5/11) from 8:30-11:00. My office is 2117 in the Allen Building, which is on the West Campus, off the No. 5 bus route, next to the Bush Presidential Library.
I am holding these extra office hours for students who would like to review their third exam, need to point out errors in my calculating their grades (e.g. I have not computed the average correctly or assigned extra credit, etc.), or have other end of the semester business to wrap up. These office hours are not a chance to come plead for grade changes, curves, etc.
I will hold office hours next Monday (5/11) from 8:30-11:00. My office is 2117 in the Allen Building, which is on the West Campus, off the No. 5 bus route, next to the Bush Presidential Library.
I am holding these extra office hours for students who would like to review their third exam, need to point out errors in my calculating their grades (e.g. I have not computed the average correctly or assigned extra credit, etc.), or have other end of the semester business to wrap up. These office hours are not a chance to come plead for grade changes, curves, etc.
Makeup exams
If you need to take a makeup for exam 3, I will be giving those on Tuesday during normal class times in CHEM 100. Please bring all relevant documentation (doctors' notes etc.) with you to class.
Class this week
As a reminder, classes will meet today (Monday) and tomorrow at their regular times and places. Tomorrow is a redefined Friday, so you should be attending all of your Friday classes.
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