All key course assignments should include clear instructions on the project
requirements and
grading rubric, and should maintain examples of excellent work from the
past. Grade assessments
for each of the required elements are made using the following scale:
- 4 = Exemplary - The student demonstrates an exceptionally high level of
performance.
- 3 = Proficient - The student demonstrates a competent level of
performance.
- 2 = Developing - The student shows some significant weaknesses, and
further development
is still in order.
- 1 = Unacceptable - The student's performance in this area is below
acceptable standards.
We expect that 70% of our graduating students will place at or above the
proficient level
(i.e., at levels 3 or 4) on all key assignments.
The required elements for the key assignment types are as follows:
- Essay questions
- Content: Does the essay make a point that is correct
and compelling?
- Form: Is it well-written in terms of organization,
style, grammar, and spelling?
- Presentations
- Content: Does the presentation make a point that is
correct and compelling?
- Form: Is it well-delivered in terms of organization,
style, and presentation mechanics?
- Code/documentation
- Correctness: Does the system function as required?
- Efficiency: Does it run efficiently?
- Understandability: Does the code and its documentation
make the system's purpose and
operation clear? Are all major modules and programmer APIs
documented?
- Usability: If the system has an end-user interface, is
this interface learnable by
typical end users?
- Research paper
- Content: Does the essay make a point that is correct
and compelling?
- Form: Is it well-written in terms of organization,
style, grammar, and spelling?
For more detailed ideas on how to use these rubrics, see the university’s
Teaching
& Learning Resources.
The courses assign letter grades to students according to these letter
grade definitions.