Final Grades

Well, the exams have been graded and final grades have been submitted.

The grade cutoffs for the final exam are the standard array: 85-75-65-50. Averaging the cutoffs for all the assignments this semester yields final average cutoffs of: 82-72-62-48. When computing your final averages, I fudged a little bit in your favor, shifting some weight to your mid-term exam average or your final exam grade, depending on which was higher. This caused a few of you who were very close to a cutoff to receive the higher grade. This affected about 4%-5% of the class.

Once I get the statistics sheet of my spreadsheet cleaned up a little, I'll post the final version. That will probably happen tomorrow morning.

Two Final Announcements

1. Solutions to the last homwork asignment (HW#15) are now available outside my office door.
2. At yesterday's review session, I was asked what you will need to know about the matemtaical models we studied using first order differential equations. I could think of four main things Newton's Law of Eooling and the exponential growth and decay models. You should have these memorized (i.e. the differential equations, method of solution, and applications). You should be able to recognize a logistic growth model, and be able to come up with the differential equation with some prompting. You should not memorize Torricelli's law.

The Final Exam Review Page

has been posted.

Note that the final exam is a cumulative exam, thought the material that was not covered on the three midterm exams may receive some emphasis.

Final Exam

Our final exam is scheduled for Monday morning, May 7, from 8:30-11:30am. Some of you may have conflicts with this time, either another exam scheduled at the same time (I still don't understand why this happens) or three exams starting within a 25 hour time period. I'll hold an alternate exam on Thursday May 10, from 8:30-11:30am for these students.

If you wish to take the alternate exam, you will need to let me know in advance. You should also provide documentation of your conflict. (e.g. a printout of your course schedule with the conflicting courses highlighted).

Exam #3 Wrapup

I've updated the statistics for the course to include the results of Exam #3.

One other thing: I passed out the exams in class yesterday. If you accidentely pick up an exam that was not yours, could you bring it back to me. The person it belongs to would certainly like to have it.

Exam #3

I've posted a review page for Exam #3, which will be held next Friday, April 13, from 7:30-8:20am in UC McConomy. You can find the link on the schedule page. I'll update it with old exam problems when I get a chance.

UPDATE: I've added some old exam problems to the review page.

UPDATE: I will hold a review session tonight from 6:30-8:00 in DH 2210. You can ask whatever questions you may have then.

Exam #2 Wrapup

I've updated the Statistics to include the results of Exam #2. You can you can use this page to gauge your standing in the course.

I'll get solutions for Exam #2 to your TA's so they can be distributed during recitations on Thursday.

Incidentally, I am frequently asked, "What do the letter grade cutoffs mean for my final grade?" or words to that effect. To get the cutoffs for final grades, the A cutoff for example, I simply average the A cutoffs for each assignment, just like I average your grades. You can see the current grade cutoffs in the top section, labeled "Cumulative Average."

Exam #3

I guess the resolution of this post was somewhat ambiguous. Let me clarify matters: Exam #3 will be held on Friday, April 13 in McConomy Auditorium at 7:30am. This is one week before Spring Carnival.

Exam #2

Exam #2 will take place on Wednesday, March 21. The exam will be held during the normal class times, 10:30-11:20 or 12:30-1:20. The exam will not be in the usual classrooms, however. They will be held in McConomy Auditorium.

There is a review page posted on the 21-260 website. The exam covers Chapter 7 in the text (Systems of differential equations). The specific sections, as well as review problems from the text are listed on the review page. The review page also provides some exam questions I've posed to my 21-260 students in previous semesters. Note that soltuions to the old exam problems will not be distributed. You have lots of problems with solutions available in the textbook, and I think it is important for you to get used to working through problems without having the solution available as a reference. You are certainly welcome to ask your TA or me about these problems.

I will hold a review session on Monday evening, from 6:30-8:00pm in DH 2210. That will be a good opportunity to ask questions about the old exam problems.

Exam #1 Review Session

I'll be holding a review session tonight, from 8:00-9:30pm. It will be held in DH 2315. This will be a good chance for you to ask questions about the review problems.

Move Exam #3?

It has come to my attention that the Wednesday before Spring Carnival is an unpopular time to hold an exam.

It seems that it may be possible to move the exam to the preceeding Friday (Friday, April 13). Unfortunatly, there is nothing to be done about the whole 7:30 in the morning business. Unless I hear strong complaints about this change over the next few days, I will move the exam.

UPDATE: I will move Exam #3 to Friday, April 13.