MATH 1050/1060

In an effort to reduce the number of unprepared students who have been showing up in Calculus
classes, we are imposing a minimum requirement for a grade in C- in MATH 1050 and 1060. The
criteria to be eligible to receive a grade of C- will be as follows:

1. A student with an overall percentage of 68%, or greater, on all graded work (quizzes, exams,
final exam) will be eligible to receive a grade of C-.
2. A student with an overall percentage of 67% on all graded work (quizzes, exams, final exam)
will be eligible to receive a grade of C- if they have received a score of at least 65% (130/200)
on the final exam.
3. A student with an overall percentage of 66% or less will not be eligible to receive a grade of C-.
Note: Only the students who have an overall percentage of 67% will be subjected to scrutiny. Their
final exam score will then be used to determine their eligibility for a grade of C-. As long as a student
has an overall percentage above 67%, it will be assumed that they have done well enough over the
entire term to be eligible to receive a C-, regardless of their final exam score.
Example: A student with an overall percentage of 66% and a 90% on the final exam does not receive a
C-.

Example: A student with an overall percentage of 68% and a 52% on the final exam is eligible to
receive a C-.

Example: A student with an overall percentage of 67% and a 70% on the final exam is eligible to
receive a C-.

Example: A student with an overall percentage of 67% and a 55% on the final exam is not eligible to
receive a C-.

Please note: If your grade distribution is such that the lowest C- is at 70% or 69% or 68%, that is
perfectly acceptable. The above criteria are for instructors who feel a need to adjust their grade
distribution downward; for example, you may feel that your midterm exams were exceptionally
difficult. So, we are allowing for some flexibility, but a lower bound has been established. Please
keep this in mind when we meet at the end of the term to discuss your final grade distribution.

The reason for this policy being imposed is not for the benefit of our Calculus instructors. They will
teach their classes according to a standard appropriate for a university calculus course regardless of the
students’ preparation and background. The people we are trying to help with this policy are the
students. In the past, we have been giving some marginal students the green light to continue in the
sequence when in fact they were inadequately prepared for calculus. They realize at some point that
their algebra skills are not what they need to be, and end up either withdrawing from calculus or
performing poorly. We hope that this policy will improve the service we are providing and have them
better prepared to succeed at the next level.

If you have any questions, suggestions, etc., please call me.

Thanks.

Dave
X2420