Computer Science Department
College of Arts and Sciences

CAS CS350
Fundamentals of Computing Systems


Grading:
Grading (except for the final exam) is done by a number of class graders, under the direct supervision of the Teaching Fellow and the Instructor. If you have an issue with a grade (homework or exam), please contact the Teaching Fellow. If your issue is not resolved, then (and only then) please contact the Instructor. In doing so, please note that (to ensure fairness and grading consistency) it is seldom the case that the Instructor will overrule the Teaching Fellow.

This class is NOT graded on a curve. This means that if everybody's performance in the class deserves an A, then everybody will get an A. The converse is also true! Therefore, don't be satisfied with an "average" grade because that average could well be less than what you expect! In previous years, the average grade for this class was around B-, which is low compared to other classes in CS and in CAS. Being a "gateway" to all other (more advanced) CS "systems" classes (e.g. CS550, CS552, CS455/655, CS560, etc.), you should expect this class to be competitive. Thus, make sure you work hard from the very beginning.

The minimum grade for this course to count towards the CS concentration is C.

I am not allowed to give W (withdrawal) grades. One can get such a grade only by dropping this class by the deadline specified by the registrar office for withdrawals with or without a W grade (check the registrar's office calendar for the exact date). Also, I am not allowed to give an I (incomplete) grade except if a student misses completing assignments and/or misses taking tests due to circumstances beyond their control.

Grade Breakdown:
The final class grade will be broken down as follows:

Extra Credit "Bonus" Points:
In an effort to make things a bit more dynamic during lectures and sections, the teaching fellow and I may occasionally award "Bonus" points for student participation. Also, as a further motivation to read the notes thoroughly, bonus points will be awarded for those discovering technical "bugs" in my notes, or who provide significant contributions. The bonus points will count as extra credit points for the homework that is due next and will be capped at 5 points per homework for sections and 5 points per homework for lectures. In other words, you will be able to add a maximum of 10 points per homework. Any points above the maximum grade for the homework will not count (i.e. if your grade in a homework is 100/100 and you get 10 extra points, your grade for the homework will continue to be 100/100).


Updated on: 2008-01-04
Maintainer: Azer Bestavros