Grading¶

The laboratory portion of the course will be graded using two tools: entry tests and a final test.

Entry tests are short written tests (or quizzes) administered at the start of each laboratory class. The entry test checks whether the student is prepared for the current class by checking her comprehension and fluency of the material from previous classes (possibly including previous courses). Entry tests usually contain short practical exercises that must be completed within a specified time limit. The student can re-take any and all entry tests for whatever reason at no penalty, having given me enough notice to prepare and print out the test sheet. In such cases the content of the entry test may be changed (within its original domain).

The final test is a single long written test administered during the last class of the laboratory portion of the course. It checks the degree in which the student understands the entirety of the material included in the course, and the extent to which she can apply the various techniques presented therein in practice. The final test may contain theoretical questions as well as practical exercises (in the vein of those used within entry tests).

In order to complete the course and receive a passing grade (≥ 3.0) the student must meet the following requirements:

• receive a passing grade from all entry tests, and
• receive a passing grade from the final test.

If the requirements above are not satisfied for reason of absence the student will be graded absent at the end of the semester, with the possibility of re-evaluation. Otherwise, the student will receive a failing grade (2.0).

The final rade is calculated as a weighted mean of the following:

• mean grade from entry tests (weight \(\frac{1}{3}\)),
• grade from the final test (weight \(\frac{2}{3}\)).

Course schedule¶

The schedule is approximate might change in response to internal or external stimuli.