ASTR 201
The Sun and its Planets
Spring 2015

Grading

Grades are based on a point scale with different assignments weighted as shown in the table. The points are distributed across a variety of exercises so that no single thing will dominate your grade. However, this also means that it is imperative that you complete all assignments. We will drop the lowest homework, but zeros on multiple homeworks fail to add up in a big way.

ASSIGNMENT
Homeworks
Exam I
Exam II
Final
Total
POINTS
175
75
100
150
500

Letter grades will be assigned based upon your cumulative score. Here is how your grade will be determined from your point total in the class:

Letter Grade
Course Total
Percentage
A
450-500
90%-100%
B
400-449
80%-89%
C
350-399
70%-79%
D
275-349
55%-69%
F
0-274
0%-54%

The point scale makes it possible for everyone in the class to do well. For example, if everyone scores above 90% in the course, you would all receive A's. On the other hand, if no one does this will, I may adjust the number of points required to get a given grade. Any adjustment will make it easier to get a given grade, never more difficult (i.e., any curve that is applied can only benefit your grade).