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Revised Overall Grade Computation, CPSC 303, Spring 2020

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Revised Grade Computation To the Students of CPSC 303:

Given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in, you will have already seen that the deadline for requesting an academic concession has been extended to May 6 for Science students (https://science.ubc.ca/students/advising/concession) . The Faculty of Science has also decided that final exam weighting will be modified in all classes, so that students will not be penalized for taking the final exam, but could still potentially improve their course grade by taking the final exam. Some students will prefer not to take the final exam, given your other concerns and the enormous stress you are under. This is completely understandable, and if this is your decision, I support it. The reweighting of the final exam will protect you as well by increasing the weight of your earlier work.

For all Science courses, the final exam or final assessment will contribute either 5% or 30% of the course grade. If the weight of the final listed on the course syllabus is less than 30%, then this will become the maximum weight for your course. You do not need to contact me or fill out a form, students will automatically receive the weighting that maximizes their course grade.

Here are some details about how this will work:
  • In the course syllabus, the course grade was to be made up in the following ways M 35%, H 10%, F 55%, where mid and final are the scores on the midterm and final, repsectively, after any scaling, and H = max(hw,mid,final), M = max(mid,final), F=final.
  • On March 19, H was revised to be
    H = max( hw_before_event, hw , mid , final )
    where hw_before_event = top 2 scores out of homework 1-5.
    This adjustment may cause the course average to be slightly higher than in previous terms, but that is neither my problem nor yours.
  • The revised scoring system will be as follows: you will receive the MAXIMUM of
    1. M 85%, H 10%, F 5%
    2. M 60%, H 10%, F 30%
    This adjustment may cause the course average to be slightly higher than in previous terms, but that is neither my problem nor yours.
I know that it is a very stressful time for you, and that you have many concerns. With the changes in concession policies and as well the changes in final exam weighting that I am writing about here, you may feel overwhelmed. The Science Advising Team is a great resource for talking through those concerns. Please consider making a virtual visit using Zoom to Science Advising, or use instant messaging or videoconferencing with the advising team at https://science.ubc.ca/students/advising

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Stay safe and healthy, to all your family, friends, and you.
Best wishes, Joel
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