33-332 Physical Mechanics II
Grades
Grading Overview
Grades will be based on three mid-term tests (each 50 minutes in duration),
six homework assignments, recitation attendance and performance,
and a comprehensive three-hour final exam.
The grades will be weighted as follows:
-
| Homework assignments |
20% |
| Recitations |
10% |
| Test I (Mon, Feb 9) |
10% |
| Test II (Mon, Mar 22) |
10% |
| Test III (Mon, Apr 12) |
10% |
| Comprehensive final exam (Mon, May 3) |
40% |
|
Homework assignments
There will be six homework assignments during the semester.
The due dates will be announced at the time that the assignments are given.
The purpose of these assignments is two-fold:
to help you learn the material and prepare for the tests and examinations,
and to help you gain experience in solving more difficult and challenging
problems.
Some of the questions are meant to challenge you beyond what would be
expected in a test situation.
You may consult with others in the class, but the work handed in
should be your own. Assignments handed in after their due dates
will not be graded. Solutions to the problems will be made
available after the assignments are returned. All questions
in each assignment must be answered, but only selected problems will
be chosen for grading (you will not be told which ones). The portion
of the final grade from the take-home assignments will be determined
by equally weighting all of the assignments.
Recitations
Recitations will be very informal. Sometimes you will work
on simple exercises for practice. Other times, larger example problems
will be solved. Small quizzes may sometimes be given. The recitations
are meant to help you better understand the material and improve
your problem-solving skills. They also provide me with valuable feedback
on your progress. The recitation grade will be mainly based on your
attendance in recitations, but partly on your participation and
performance.
Mid-term Tests and the Final Exam
The mid-term tests and the final examination will be a combination
of short and long worked problems. All tests must be taken on the
scheduled date. Makeup tests will be given only in exceptional
circumstances which are supported with acceptable documentation.
Histograms of Raw Test Scores
Grades by Identification Number
Final Grade Determination
The grades (expressed as percentages) for the
midterm tests and the final examination will be combined with the
percentage grade for the recitations and assignments using the
weights described above to determine a final percentage grade for
the course. This
final percentage grade will then be converted into a letter grade
using the grade scale below (subject to change).
This final letter grade will then
be reported to the university.
|
Approximate grade scale |
| Percentage | Letter | GPA |
| 80-100 | A | 4.00 |
| 70-79 | B | 3.00 |
| 60-69 | C | 2.00 |
| 50-59 | D | 1.00 |
| 0-49 | R | 0.00 |
