Grading Policy

Split of course total

Exams, quizzes and homeworks will be weighted by the following percentages:

New Deal Rule

If midterm 2 (M2) and final exam (Fin) are much better than midterm 1 (M1), say
M1 < 0.9 *(M2 + Fin)/2,
then I'll drop the first midterm score and replace it by 0.9*(M2 + Fin)/2.

Same rule for the second midterm but not for the final exam.

Cutoffs

There will be straight cutoffs for letter grades:

Half Grades

There will be half grades within 2pts of the cutoff. For example: 98-100 A+, 93-98 A, 91-93 A-.

Quizzes

The lowest quiz score will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes for any reason. However, quiz score(s) will be dropped for any student who provides a Dean's excuse for any reason (medical situations, athletic trips or any other extraordinary circumstances). The Dean's excuse must be given to the instructor before Friday or shortly after (for instance, in the case of illness). The specific date(s) you were unable to attend the lab section(s) must be included in the Dean's excuse. No other official/unofficial letters/excuses will be accepted. Any student who misses a quiz and does not provide a Dean's excuse will receive 0 points for that quiz.

Homeworks

The lowest homework score will be dropped. Late homeworks will not be accepted. No exceptions from this rule. Missing homeworks count as 0 points. You can always submit homework assignments before the due date.

Exams

I will consider rescheduling midterm exams for any student who provides a Dean's excuse (see the section on quizzes above). I will also consider giving a make-up final exam to any student who has three final exams scheduled in 24 hours time. In the latter case, the required letter from the registrar's office must be submitted before the existing deadline.

Grade appeals

We will consider regrade requests for exams, quizzes and homeworks. In all cases, the request will be considered only within a week after returning the exam, quiz or homework. (Except, of course, for outright grading mistakes like wrong addition of points etc.) You must provide your written request along with the exam (quiz) paper or homework.
thanos@stat.duke.edu
Last updated 1/24/02