I’ve heard people talking about the introductory science classes (including gen chem) being graded on a curve. I saw the syllabus and it appears that there are point cut offs. How is this a case of being graded on a curve if there are point cut offs? Would appreciate if someone told me how this works.
General Chemistry is based on the point cutoffs where 80% is an A, but it’s not absolute. Some years the point cutoffs will be lower depending on the class performances. There have been years where a 75% will be in the A range.
Biology 2960/2970 has a curve if I recall what my son says about the class. Partly it’s because the class could be taught better. Although you likely will need a 90% and above for an A.
The Introductory Physics sequence of Physics 191/192 (formerly 117/118 and 197/198) does not curve. Son got a 92% final grade and it was an A-. But the class is pretty brutal and a B and above is considered good.
Orgo definitely curves since that is the ultimate weeder class and people do extremely poorly in 261/262. There are horror stories where 50% on a midterm is actually considered an excellent score.
@Hamurtle oh so the grades aren’t given along score distribution guidelines? (ie, only the top 15-20% of students can get an A, and the mean must be a B/B-, etc)
We’re not talking about Berkeley or Princeton where only a certain percentage will get an A. Get the points needed and you will get the grade.
As to whether students do well enough is another matter completely. My son has stories about how people have messed up midterms. General Chemistry and Biology have an option where their worst midterm score can be dropped. Same with the Calculus sequence.
My son’s rule of thumb for WUSTL science classes is that if there is no specified percentage or points needed for an A, then scoring 10-15 points above the median will generally be an A.