Grading Criteria for MTH 4660 Spring 2012
Here is how the final course grade will be calculated. If your actual scores do not fit exactly into this scheme, a judgment call will be made for your final grade. Performance on presentations and the final are weighted very heavily. Try to have a very good record doing presentations going into the final. A failing grade on any of: Proof presentations, Midterm, or Final exam will result in a failing grade. Generally, you can safely assess your grade by looking at the mode of the four components of the course.
Final Grade
| Components | A | B | C | F |
| Proof presentations | Many presentations relative to the average in class. Most presentations M with at least a few E's Ready to present 90 percent or more of the classes. | On par with the average number of presentations for the class. Most presentations at least M. Ready to present 80 percent of the classes | More than a few below M or fewer presentations than average. | Few presentations and/or several below M Often not prepared to present. Advice: Avoid this outcome ! |
| In – Class Participation | Helpful, attentive class and team participant. Asks questions and often finds flaws in proofs. | Participates in discussions, asks questions about the presentations. Offers helpful suggestions. | Involved and active participant in group and team work. | Does not participate and/or misses more than 6 classes. |
| Midterm Exam | All at least M and couple at E | All at least M and at least one E | No more than one below M | More than one below M |
| Final Exam | All at least M and couple at E | All at least M and at least one E | No more than one below M | Two or more below M |
Hints for success in Topology
Stay engaged and find ways to show that you have mastered the material. All of you have amassed a toolbox of techniques for solving problems and writing proofs. To get to this level you need to have been successful in past courses. The grading in this course may seem unfamiliar to you, but if you have succeeded in mathematics in the past you can succeed in this format. You will be required to be creative and to communicate effectively, neither the hallmark of a typical mathematics course but essential to anyone who plans to use mathematics at a high level. To succeed you may have to change the way you study. Memorization of lots of proofs probably will not help but time spent brainstorming in a quiet room with a pencil/pen will pay off. Don't expect to write down a correct proof in linear fashion. If you are used to looking for answers on the web, stop. It will be a waste of time and worse a violation of course policies. Even if you manage to find the right proof you won't be able to present it/reproduce it on a test.
If you want a good grade in this class, pay attention to detail. Take care of the things you can control, language, neatness, attendance, correctness, etc. Do all of the proofs you can then look back at the harder proofs and/or try to rework some of your proofs in a better or new way. Volunteer to present as often as you can, try all of the proofs even if you can only start them, incomplete work may be useful for presentations. Remember correctness is expected and so is not enough for an A, meeting expectations on all aspects of the course nets B. To get an A you have to go beyond what is merely expected. Lastly, try to make yourself indispensable to the class, be there and participate.