Question: How is ESRM100 graded? Is a curve applied?
 
Answer: Grading is as follows:

50% for Exams
    There are 3 exams.
    The lowest grade will be dropped.
    The two highest will count for 25% each (for a total of 50%).

25% for the best two GoPost discussion list entries.
25% for the class project

extra credit can be earned by several methods, which will be announced on the class home page.

Instructions for most of this is given below, as well as on the syllabus.  A "curve" may or may not be applied depending on class performance.  In previous years, a curve has always been applied to bring the class average up to the UW average for a 100-level course.  For such a large class as this, I use the University of Washington average for 100-level classes, which is presently 3.2.  If the class average is higher than 3.2, I give those grades without a curve.  If the class average is less than 3.2, I scale the average up to 3.2.  The curve will be applied at the end of the quarter on the entire class grade, not on individual requirements (exams, projects, etc.). 

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Here is Example 1 on how to calculate your grade

Exam1 = 70%
Exam2 = 80%
Exam3 = 75%
Project = 75%
GoPost = 80%
"curve" = 0.1 points (this will be calculated after all grading is done)
extra credit = 0.1 points

Add the highest two exam scores to the project and GoPost average, the divide by 4 as follows:

80 + 75 + 75 + 80 = 310

310/4 = 77.5%

grade from below = 2.3 points
       add curve = 0.1 points
add extra credit = 0.1 points
-----------------------------
     final grade = 2.5
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Here is Example 2

Exam1 = 90%
Exam2 = 80%
Exam3 = 75%
Project = 85%
GoPost = 70%
"curve" = 0.0 points (this will be calculated after all grading is done)
extra credit = 0.0 points

Add the highest two exam scores to the project and GoPost average, then divide by 4 as follows

90 + 80 + 85 + 75 = 325

325/4 = 81.25%

grade from below = 2.7 points
       add curve = 0.0 points
add extra credit = 0.0 points
-----------------------------
     final grade = 2.7
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Below is the normal scale I use for calculating final grades.  THIS SCALE WILL BE APPLIED TO YOUR RAW (UNCURVED) GRADE AT THE END OF THE QUARTER. Any "curve" and extra credit will be added to that grade for your final grade. 

94+ = 4.0
93 – 93.99 = 3.9
92 – 92.99 = 3.8
91 – 91.99 = 3.7
90 – 90.99 = 3.6
89 – 89.99 = 3.5
88 – 88.99 = 3.4
87 – 87.99 = 3.3
86 – 86.99 = 3.2
85 – 85.99 = 3.1
84 – 84.99 = 3.0
83 – 83.99 = 2.9
82 – 82.99 = 2.8
81 – 81.99 = 2.7
80 – 80.99 = 2.6
79 – 79.99 = 2.5
78 – 78.99 = 2.4
77 – 77.99 = 2.3
76 – 76.99 = 2.2
75 – 75.99 = 2.1
74 – 74.99 = 2.0
73 – 73.99 = 1.9
72 – 72.99 = 1.8
71 – 71.99 = 1.7
70 – 70.99 = 1.6
69 – 69.99 = 1.5
68 – 68.99 = 1.4
67 – 67.99 = 1.3
66 – 66.99 = 1.2
65 – 65.99 = 1.1
64 – 64.99 = 1.0
63 – 63.99 = 0.9
62 – 62.99 = 0.8
61 – 61.99 = 0.7
<61 = 0.0