PHYS 496 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Course Grading
Course grading will proceed in compliance with University policy as given in Article 3, Part 1 of the Student Code.
Gradebook
You will be able to view your grades on all components of the course using the course gradebook.
Any discrepancies found in your student gradebook should be brought to the attention of your instructor immediately.
Grading
Your final grade for Physics 496 will be based upon your total score on all the components of the course. The total possible score is 1800 points.
Grading scheme
| Course component | Notes | # of assignments | Max. points per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 13 | 1450 | |
| Writing Workshops | Missed workshops may not be made up | 9 + bonus | 180 |
| Colloquium Reports | 50 points each | 2 | 100 |
| Class Attendance and Participation | Unexcused absences will result in loss of points | 15 | 70 |
| 1800 points | |||
Homework assignments (also see detailed grading matrix)
| # | Description | Type†| Due date | Notes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active Reading for Physics Papers | W | check schedule | not rewrite eligible | 50 |
| 2 | Abstract & Title | W | check schedule | 100 | |
| 3 | Best Practices for Technical Presentations | W | check schedule | not rewrite eligible | 100 |
| 4 | Explaining Physics, Draft version | W | check schedule | 50 | |
| 5 | Explaining Physics, Final Version | W | check schedule | 150 | |
| 6 | Peer Review | W | check schedule | 100 | |
| 7 | Short Science Talk, Draft version | W | check schedule | 100 | |
| 8 | Short Science Talk, In-class presentation | P | check schedule | not rewrite eligible | 150 |
| 9 | Evaluating Figures & Captions | W | check schedule | 150 | |
| 10 | Making Figures & Captions | W | check schedule | 150 | |
| 11 | CV and Statement of Purpose or App Ltr | W | check schedule | 150 | |
| 12 | Poster Presentation | P,T | check schedule | not rewrite eligible | 200 |
| 1450 points | |||||
†"W" = written assignment; "P" = oral presentation;
All homework will be uploaded to the my.physics upload system by the deadlines assigned.
Writing workshop (WW)
These exercises will be completed during class time on the day indicated and uploaded to the my.physics upload system at the conclusion of that day's session.
The purpose of WW is to help you improve your critical reading and rhetorical skills, and they will be graded as "showed up and made a sincere effort" = full points; "no show" = 0 points. In addition, your thoughtful and enthusiastic participation in WW and completion of the exercises will contribute to your "participation" points.
The writing workshop assignments are password protected and are available only students enrolled in PHYS 496. Please treat these exercises as confidential; they are not to be reposted or distributed to others outside the class.
Please review the course schedule for the links to the assignments and the due dates.
Final grades
The following table will be used to assign final grades. Grades below B- will be assigned based on total points and overall course grade distribution.
| Letter | Range |
|---|---|
| A+ | 1800 - 1710 |
| A | 1709.99 - 1674 |
| A- | 1673.99 - 1620 |
| B+ | 1619.99 - 1584 |
| B | 1583.99 - 1530 |
| B- | 1529.99 - 1494 |