Grading Policy

Grade Distribution

Students will be able to 'compose' their grade, for up to 85% of the total grade, from the following menu:

Presentation of a research paper by a student: 20%. Grade will be given by instructor taking into account class evaluation.
Scribing of a discussion or a paper presentation: 5%. A student takes notes of an entire presentation and the discussion of a topic. (Potentially, one student helps the scribe for 2%.) The class criticizes and rates the notes of the scribe. Grade will be given by instructor taking into account class evaluation.
A critical summary of a research paper: 5%.
Evaluation of each student presentation and each scribe notes: +1%. A non-informative evaluation is graded 0%. Failure to submit an evaluation in time is penalized with -1%.
Project (programming): 30%
Term paper: 25%.
One optional exam: 25%.

The remaining 15% are allocated as follows:

Surprise quizzes (mainly) and assignments (minimal): 10%.
Class interaction and participation in discussions are (subjectively) evaluated for 5% of the total grade.