Statistics 309H

• Does class participation count toward my final grade?
• Is there extra credit?
• What is "cheating" and how is it penalized?
• Did I get an A?
• Can you give me a rough idea of how scores translate into grades?
• How many A's do you give?
• Do you think you'll give out C's this semester?
• I think I deserved an A in this class but you gave me a B. Will you change my grade?
• I missed an A (or B) by less than 1% -- are you really going to deny me the A (or B) because I missed a couple of true/false questions?

Does class participation count toward my final grade?

Class participation is not graded per se and will play no role in the course grades for more than 90% of the students.  However, at the end of the semester, I will take participation into account as a tie-breaker for those few students whose course grades are at the intersection between two grades.  Students who ask good questions and provide good answers will benefit.  Students who have spotty attendance records, are disruptive (e.g., excessive talking, outbursts, rudeness to classmates, etc.) or who ask questions that are answered on the web page will not benefit.  Students who attend class regularly but who do not speak up in class will not be penalized.  I will also receive input from the TAs.

Is there extra credit?

There is no extra credit in this class.  If you don't do well on a test or assignment, please don't ask me if there's "something else" you can do to improve your grade. There is no obligation for me to provide you with opportunities to get the grade you want after your performance puts that grade out of reach. The best and only thing you can do following a disappointing performance is to take steps to improve your grade on future graded activities. See the TAs for help on practice and homework problems.  See me for help with lecture material, etc. Because the Group Project and Final Exam are worth a lot in this class (20% and 35% respectively), you can make up points there. 

What is "cheating" and how is it penalized?

It should go without saying that I will not tolerate any form of cheating. Anyone suspected of cheating will receive a grade of F in the class and be turned over to the University disciplinary committee. Obviously, cheating includes looking at another person's test.  Cheating also includes (but is not limited to): discussing graded homework problems with others, sharing work products and/or answers on graded homework problems, programming test material into a calculator or other device, copying or writing down test questions and answers, failing to turn a test in after time has been called, removing a graded test from the classroom or designated reading area, and altering, inventing or otherwise misrepresenting data collected as part of a group project. For more information, see the UT policy on scholastic dishonesty.   

Did I get an A?

All grades in this class will be given via percentages. Because the percentages are not translated into grades until the very end of the semester, I can't tell you exactly how a particular percentage translates to a letter grade.

Can you give me a rough idea of how scores translate into grades?

Here are two rules of thumb that you can use to get an idea of where you stand: (1) If you scored above the mean/median, you probably have an A; (2) 90% and up = A, 80% and up = B, 70% and up = C.  Because the precise cutoffs are not determined until the end of the semester, these rules of thumb are only an approximation.  

How many A's do you give?

It varies as a function of your performance. But I anticipate a final grade distribution that looks something like this:
A: 50-55%
B: 40-45%
C: 5% 

Do you think you'll give out C's this semester?

Yes, there are usually a few Cs, but I don't give them unless they are deserved.

I think I deserved an A in this class but you gave me a B. Will you change my grade?

No.  Course grades are final and are determined by the final percentage you receive in the class in combination with your class rank.  If your overall average fell below 90% (or wherever I draw the cutoff for an A), you will not get an A in this class.  The fact that you worked really hard, improved your scores, learned a lot, or never got a B in your life does not mean that you deserve or will get an A in this class.   

I missed an A (or B) by less than 1% -- are you really going to deny me the A (or B) because I missed a couple of true/false questions?

Because the University does not report grades as percentages or allow for the use of pluses or minuses, grades must be lumped into one of just a few categories.  This means that some people will just barely make a grade category and others will just barely miss it.  If you just barely miss an A (or B), it is really not because you missed a couple of true/false questions.  It's because the totality of your performance throughout the semester did not put you in a position where you clearly belonged in the A (or B) category.  To be blunt and clear: you are not entitled to the next highest grade on grounds that you were “close.”