Assessment Plan (how you earn your grade)

To compute your grade in the course:

  1. Rule 1: To pass the course, you must:
    1. Complete (to the satisfaction of your instructor) EVERY assigned exercise and EVERY quiz.
      • You may redo any homework or quiz until it is satisfactory. See Can I submit assignments after they are due? below for details.
    2. Attend almost all of the classes and participate actively in class
      • See the Attendance Policy below for details.
  2. Rule 2: Assuming you succeed per Rule 1, first compute your score in each of the following categories:

    Category Weight in overall average
    Three exams
    during the term
    40%
    (10, 15, 15)
    Final exam
    20%
    Capstone team project
    40%

    Since there are three categories, that gives you three scores. Compute both W, the weighted average of those three scores, and S, the smallest of those three scores.

    Your course numeric score is then the smaller of W and (S + 10). Convert this to a letter grade on the scale:

    A 92 and up
    B+ 87 to 92
    B 82 to 87
    C+ 77 to 82
    C 72 to 77
    D 62 to 72
    F below 62

    For example, suppose that you earn 100% on all three exams during the term, 95% on your end-of-term project, but only a 65% final exam. Then W is 100*0.40 + 95*0.40 + 65*0.2 = 91 (B+), but S is 65 so your course grade is 65 + 10 = 75, which is a C.

    This is an unusual assessment plan, but it is designed to help you succeed on all the key aspects of this course.

Evening Exams

The three exams during the year will be in the evenings, to try to reduce the time pressure inherent in a test of software development skills. They are TENTATIVELY scheduled for:

Assisting students with special needs

Rose-Hulman is committed to working with students who have special needs or disabilities. We understand that "invisible" disabilities (learning and attention deficit disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, clinical depression, etc.) can significantly affect a student's academic performance.

We strongly encourage students to document special academic circumstances with the staff at the Office of Student Affairs, and then to contact us as soon as possible so that we can work together to provide recommended academic accommodations while protecting your privacy. It is the student's responsibility to request any approved, documented academic accommodations (such as extra time) at least one week in advance of exams.