CS& 141

Course Info

Getting Help

Check Scores

Other

CS& 141 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

At the start of the quarter:

Q: I have some prior programming experience, but I am not sure whether it's enough. Should I be in CS 115 or CS& 141?

A: You will not be allowed to register for CS& 141 unless you have successfully completed a class similar to CS 115. This is because we want to make sure that you are setting yourself up to be successful.

During the quarter:

Q: I need help with my homework! What should I do?

A: There are lots of resources available to help you. For example:

  • Check the message board; your question may have been answered there.
  • Read the relevant chapters and sections of the textbook.
  • Look at the lecture examples and slides.
  • Look at this week's section handout problems and their solutions.
  • Try solving some smaller problems first to understand the relevant concepts, such as the ones at the ends of the textbook chapters or in the CodeStepByStep tool.
  • Start early! We get swamped the day assignments are due.
  • Don't panic. You have late days, and even if you run out, it is only -1 point for each day late.

Q: I got a low score on homework and/or exams, and I'm worried about doing poorly in the course. How much impact will my past low score(s) have on my grade? What can I do?

A: You can compute for yourself the impact of your past scores on your grade. The grading weights are listed on the course syllabus.

If you want to raise your grade, the best way is to do well on future assignments and exams. We generally do not offer much extra credit nor any way to directly make up or replace low scores on past assignments or exams.

Don't forget that the final exam usually has a higher weight than the midterms, so there are still plenty of points left to be earned. Consult the grade formulas on the syllabus to figure out whether your desired grade is still attainable.

Q: When is the last date to drop the course?

A: This information can be found at the EdC Academic Calendar for this year.

At the end of the quarter:

Q: I don't like my grade. Why is it so low?

A: See the syllabus for information about how grades are calculated. Generally grades are actually shifted upward from the promised ranges on the syllabus, so it could be worse.

Q: I checked the web site, and my overall 141 grade is (grade). I wish my grade was (higher grade). Will you please change my grade to (higher grade)?

A: I'm sorry; no. (Unless your grade is computed incorrectly for some reason.)

Q: You don't understand... I *need* to get a (higher grade) because (reason). And because of (not very convincing reason), I think I deserve a (higher grade) even though the points I got in the course only add up to (lower grade). Will you please change my grade to (higher grade)?

A: See answer to previous question.

Q: My grade is not fair! I see another student who got only (small amount) higher percentage than I did, and they get a (higher grade than mine)! I should get a (higher grade than mine).

A: We're sorry; the cut-off points between grades have to go somewhere. Each grade range has a highest and lowest student. Sometimes that student ends up being you. We do not choose cut-off points with a goal of including or excluding any particular student; it's just the way the numbers worked out in this particular case.

Q: What can I do to raise my grade? Can I do some extra credit work now, maybe? Or re-submit a past homework assignment to earn some points back?

A: Unless we made some kind of mathematical or clerical mistake, your grade is what it is. We are not willing to let you somehow change it after the quarter's over by doing more work.

Q: I would like you to re-grade my final exam, my last several homeworks, my midterm, etc. etc. in the hopes of raising my grade to (higher grade). How do I go about doing that?

A: We do re-grade final exams, and you can ask for a re-evaluation of a homework assignment within 2 weeks of the date you got back your score on it. But you should do this only if you genuinely think something specific was mis-graded. If you submit for a regrade saying things like, "I am asking for a regrade because I really need a 2.0," or, "I just want to see if I can get any more points back," you are not likely to be considered very seriously. Frivolous regrade requests do not lead to a happy regrader. Recall that regrades have the capability to -lower- your score if any missed deductions are discovered.

Q: Why didn't I pass the course? I turned in most/all of the homework, I took both exams, and I showed up to class most of the time. Shouldn't that be enough to pass?

A: Passing the course is based on getting an overall percentage above some threshold that is set each quarter, generally in the low 50s. If you do not attain that percentage, you do not pass the course, even if you did come to class and did submit the assignments. Our grades are not given solely based on attendance or participation.

Q: Can I meet with you in person to discuss my grade? This is very important.

A: Sure, you can - as soon as we area allowed back in our office. Until then, it's Zoom or email. If something is wrong with your grade, we'll fix it. But meeting with us in person and telling us a sad story, bargaining, begging, etc. does not lead to us raising your grade.