Grading

Grade Components

• Two midterm exams: 40 points each, 80 points total
• Final exam (cumulative): 60 points
• Programming Assignments: 20 points each.
• Additional quizzes or homework may be assigned throughout the semester

Grading Rules

• Turn in all assignments at the start of lecture.
• If you miss lecture because you are still working on an assignment, you will not get credit for the assignment.
• I won't accept late work. Period.
• If you are going to be absent for a class, you must have the assignment done in advance. If you are going to be absent for several classes (out of town on business, for example), drop the course. Obviously, I will consider true emergencies on a case-by-case basis.

Homework Standards

• A printed copy of all programs will be turned in. Each assignment will also require some proof of successful output - print, on disk or a demo as appropriate for the assignment.
• Each assignment must start with a header area that has your name, the date due, the purpose of the assignment, a description of the input variables and a description of what the program will output. Comments must also be placed in the body of the code as appropriate.
• Homework may be done in the lab or at home.
• You may use other textbooks or online sources for reference but you may not copy any code. All programs must be entirely your work.
• Again, homework is due at the start of lecture on the assigned due date. No late assignments will be accepted!!!!

Your Strategy

• Please read the assigned lecture material before each class meeting.
• Read each assignment carefully, as it is posted and described in class.
• Try to do at least what is called for in the assignment.
• Think about the assignment in terms of everything you've learned in this class.
• Keep up with the work -- it's very difficult to "catch up" if you've fallen behind the schedule.
• If you don't understand the assignment, ask about it.
• If you "need" a certain grade in the class, it should be your motivation to work toward that grade. If you don't think I've given you enough feedback in order to do a better job, talk to me -- it's usually much easier to explain things in person than in quick notes on a paper or quiz.

How I Determine the Final Letter Grades

• Total all points.
• Arrange totals in order from high to low.
• Draw lines between A,B,C,etc., based on what I believe to be a fair evaluation of each student's overall performance in the class (not on fixed percentages or a pre-determined "curve").
• There are no plusses or minuses at CSULB, so someone may be one point below a dividing line. If this happens, it's not arbitrary -- I've thought very carefully about it. This is the most difficult part of the job.
• An "A" represents continued top performance in all areas. It is a grade that you work up to, rather than a starting place from which you go down by making "mistakes."
• I will try to keep you informed of your potential letter grade, but will probably estimate low rather than high -- it's much better to have a pleasant surprise than an unpleasant one at the end. The usual show-stoppers -- failure to do the work, and cheating -- will result in failure in the course.

Show stoppers

The usual show-stoppers -- failure to do the work, and cheating -- will result in failure in the course.