Question about passing grades

[Randyb100]

Ok, so I'm a bit overwhelmed and got behind on class. I work full-time and have a side business. My grades are great other than the final. I bombed the midterm as I just spaced for Computer Architecture. I have to take the Artificial Intelligence midterm by Sunday but DO NOT have a hard copy of the textbook for open book testing. I just have the PDF version!

So my grades may end up being one or more D's. I was informed that I had to have a C grade or higher in my area of study as well, so I must make C grades for both of these courses. If I don't take the mid-term for AI I can make a high 60s grade. Computer Architecture requires me to make a 66 or higher on the final to pass, though. AI is an UL elective for my minor.

Even if I fail, do they count towards the 15 credit hours to meet residency requirements? I can take 2 UL courses at SDC and transfer them in easily afterwards. It would actually save me a lot of grief because I'm working 60-70 hours a week right now. I did call and ask but they seriously didn't know.

I'm just trying to avoid the $3000 fee. I can transfer in all SDC courses and just do the capstone in January but would really like to avoid the 3k fee. I could also just take a few 100-level courses, I suppose, along with the capstone, to meet residency requirements on easy mode. I simply don't have time to deal with taking 2 UL courses while working so much but need the money right now. Work is ramping up for the holiday season as well, so I will be busy the rest of the year.

[davewill]

Ask your mentor for an extension on the midterm, so you can study for it properly. If necessary, you can even extend one or more courses past the end of the term. Much better than getting Ds and bombing your GPA or having to take them again, even from SDC. Also, two Ds could also put you in jeopardy of not having the minimum C average at TESU needed to graduate even if you do replace them with SDC courses.

https://tesu.smartcatalogiq.com/current/...xtensions/
https://www.tesu.edu/current-students/course-extension

I think the Ds will count for residency, but I couldn't find anything on the website to verify it either way.

[bjcheung77]

TESU accepts D's, but not in the AOS or for the English requirement. The D's will count towards residency requirements as it's a course you've taken at the institution. You just need to make sure that they can slot that D into your AOS electives instead of the required course area for the AOS. I also recommend asking for an extension for any class you're having issues with, especially when you need the extra time, you want to get in contact with the professor right away if something does come up, the reason is you must have at least 50% of the class completed before they can approve your extension.

[Randyb100]

TESU accepts D's, but not in the AOS or for the English requirement.  The D's will count towards residency requirements as it's a course you've taken at the institution.  You just need to make sure that they can slot that D into your AOS electives instead of the required course area for the AOS.  I also recommend asking for an extension for any class you're having issues with, especially when you need the extra time, you want to get in contact with the professor right away if something does come up, the reason is you must have at least 50% of the class completed before they can approve your extension.

Well I'm over 50% for both classes now and otherwise have high 90s grades besides the midterm I did fail in that lowered my score to a 70something. My TESU GPA is a 3.15 so even with two D's I won't go below a 2.0.

My issue is getting them to qualify for residency and/or electives. AI is an AOS elective so I don't know if it requires a C. Someone told me they didn't know and the other said it did. I'm still waiting for an email response and have a mentor meeting next week.

I can always retake them via SDC. Residency is my main concern but being able to use them with D grades would be icing on the cake. I'm assuming Computer Architecture is a no on using for graduation requirements.

[DrMacLeod]

You don't have to take the midterm. You have until the end of the term to complete the midterm:

https://blog.tesu.edu/what-to-do-if-you-...tecep-exam

Follow the directions on the blog post and let the mentor and support know that, for whatever reason, you will be unable to complete the midterm by the "due" date. You won't get any pushback and'll have more time to prepare and get the needed resources. I have done this for several courses now, in fact, I just did it for my September term courses, and I took a midterm for an August term course earlier today.

As for the Computer Architectures midterm, I did the same thing in the July term and scored very poorly, though I am convinced my written questions were never graded. I emailed the course mentor saying something along the lines of "I wanted to check if my midterm written questions were graded. I know I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but I am certain I did better than my score reflects." My score was updated shortly thereafter to something higher than expected. It doesn't hurt to reach out. The worst they will say is "no."

Another option with Computer Architectures, if you aren't able to get your grade changed, is to do everything in your power to score as high as possible as you can on everything else. Then, at the end of the term, protest your midterm grade as an outlier and not a reflection of your knowledge in the course. Again, they may tell you to get lost, but then again they may not.

Also, bear in mind the grading formula for the course. The midterm and finals typically comprise 25-40% of the overall grade. Provided you are knocking out those written assignments and discussion posts and getting high marks you'll be able to overcome pretty low scores and still come out with a C or better. Look at the syllabus and do some quick formulas in Excel or something to calculate potential scenarios. I did, and it gave me peace of mind.

Hope this helps some...

[Randyb100]

You don't have to take the midterm. You have until the end of the term to complete the midterm:

https://blog.tesu.edu/what-to-do-if-you-...tecep-exam

Follow the directions on the blog post and let the mentor and support know that, for whatever reason, you will be unable to complete the midterm by the "due" date. You won't get any pushback and'll have more time to prepare and get the needed resources. I have done this for several courses now, in fact, I just did it for my September term courses, and I took a midterm for an August term course earlier today.

As for the Computer Architectures midterm, I did the same thing in the July term and scored very poorly, though I am convinced my written questions were never graded. I emailed the course mentor saying something along the lines of "I wanted to check if my midterm written questions were graded. I know I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but I am certain I did better than my score reflects." My score was updated shortly thereafter to something higher than expected. It doesn't hurt to reach out. The worst they will say is "no."

Another option with Computer Architectures, if you aren't able to get your grade changed, is to do everything in your power to score as high as possible as you can on everything else. Then, at the end of the term, protest your midterm grade as an outlier and not a reflection of your knowledge in the course. Again, they may tell you to get lost, but then again they may not.

Also, bear in mind the grading formula for the course. The midterm and finals typically comprise 25-40% of the overall grade. Provided you are knocking out those written assignments and discussion posts and getting high marks you'll be able to overcome pretty low scores and still come out with a C or better. Look at the syllabus and do some quick formulas in Excel or something to calculate potential scenarios. I did, and it gave me peace of mind.

Hope this helps some...

Thanks and it does. The midterm for AI is 30% of the grade. I will request an extension for it to see if they'll let me. It'll at least give me time to order a hardcopy of the book to use.

For Computer Architecture, my grade is in the 90s besides the midterm. I made a 17 on it as I didn't do any of the essays. It is worth a whole 25% of the grade. The final is worth another 25%.

I have 2 other courses to take with SDC to transfer in for a total of 5 classes, including the capstone, to finish my degree. I can transfer in all 4 classes via SDC if need be but want to meet residency requirements. My company is paying for it and said they would reimburse me the $3200, but I don't have half that right now.

[DrMacLeod]

You don't have to take the midterm. You have until the end of the term to complete the midterm:

https://blog.tesu.edu/what-to-do-if-you-...tecep-exam

Follow the directions on the blog post and let the mentor and support know that, for whatever reason, you will be unable to complete the midterm by the "due" date. You won't get any pushback and'll have more time to prepare and get the needed resources. I have done this for several courses now, in fact, I just did it for my September term courses, and I took a midterm for an August term course earlier today.

As for the Computer Architectures midterm, I did the same thing in the July term and scored very poorly, though I am convinced my written questions were never graded. I emailed the course mentor saying something along the lines of "I wanted to check if my midterm written questions were graded. I know I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but I am certain I did better than my score reflects." My score was updated shortly thereafter to something higher than expected. It doesn't hurt to reach out. The worst they will say is "no."

Another option with Computer Architectures, if you aren't able to get your grade changed, is to do everything in your power to score as high as possible as you can on everything else. Then, at the end of the term, protest your midterm grade as an outlier and not a reflection of your knowledge in the course. Again, they may tell you to get lost, but then again they may not.

Also, bear in mind the grading formula for the course. The midterm and finals typically comprise 25-40% of the overall grade. Provided you are knocking out those written assignments and discussion posts and getting high marks you'll be able to overcome pretty low scores and still come out with a C or better. Look at the syllabus and do some quick formulas in Excel or something to calculate potential scenarios. I did, and it gave me peace of mind.

Hope this helps some...

Thanks and it does. The midterm for AI is 30% of the grade. I will request an extension for it to see if they'll let me. It'll at least give me time to order a hardcopy of the book to use.

For Computer Architecture, my grade is in the 90s besides the midterm. I made a 17 on it as I didn't do any of the essays. It is worth a whole 25% of the grade. The final is worth another 25%.

I have 2 other courses to take with SDC to transfer in for a total of 5 classes, including the capstone, to finish my degree. I can transfer in all 4 classes via SDC if need be but want to meet residency requirements. My company is paying for it and said they would reimburse me the $3200, but I don't have half that right now.

You don't even have to ask for an extension. Just inform them you will take it before the end of the term in accordance with TESU policy.

Do you mean you didn't even type anything for sections two or three?  If you left the boxes empty, you could try the approach of saying you had technical problems. I had an issue with Operating Systems where there was no "Submit" button to move on from the multiple-choice questions. I had to retake the exam a second time. So they may allow it. Again, the worst response is typically "no."

Good luck!

[Randyb100]

You don't have to take the midterm. You have until the end of the term to complete the midterm:

https://blog.tesu.edu/what-to-do-if-you-...tecep-exam

Follow the directions on the blog post and let the mentor and support know that, for whatever reason, you will be unable to complete the midterm by the "due" date. You won't get any pushback and'll have more time to prepare and get the needed resources. I have done this for several courses now, in fact, I just did it for my September term courses, and I took a midterm for an August term course earlier today.

As for the Computer Architectures midterm, I did the same thing in the July term and scored very poorly, though I am convinced my written questions were never graded. I emailed the course mentor saying something along the lines of "I wanted to check if my midterm written questions were graded. I know I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but I am certain I did better than my score reflects." My score was updated shortly thereafter to something higher than expected. It doesn't hurt to reach out. The worst they will say is "no."

Another option with Computer Architectures, if you aren't able to get your grade changed, is to do everything in your power to score as high as possible as you can on everything else. Then, at the end of the term, protest your midterm grade as an outlier and not a reflection of your knowledge in the course. Again, they may tell you to get lost, but then again they may not.

Also, bear in mind the grading formula for the course. The midterm and finals typically comprise 25-40% of the overall grade. Provided you are knocking out those written assignments and discussion posts and getting high marks you'll be able to overcome pretty low scores and still come out with a C or better. Look at the syllabus and do some quick formulas in Excel or something to calculate potential scenarios. I did, and it gave me peace of mind.

Hope this helps some...

Thanks and it does. The midterm for AI is 30% of the grade. I will request an extension for it to see if they'll let me. It'll at least give me time to order a hardcopy of the book to use.

For Computer Architecture, my grade is in the 90s besides the midterm. I made a 17 on it as I didn't do any of the essays. It is worth a whole 25% of the grade. The final is worth another 25%.

I have 2 other courses to take with SDC to transfer in for a total of 5 classes, including the capstone, to finish my degree. I can transfer in all 4 classes via SDC if need be but want to meet residency requirements. My company is paying for it and said they would reimburse me the $3200, but I don't have half that right now.

You don't even have to ask for an extension. Just inform them you will take it before the end of the term in accordance with TESU policy.

Do you mean you didn't even type anything for sections two or three?  If you left the boxes empty, you could try the approach of saying you had technical problems. I had an issue with Operating Systems where there was no "Submit" button to move on from the multiple-choice questions. I had to retake the exam a second time. So they may allow it. Again, the worst response is typically "no."

Good luck!

It does state that assignments aren't allowed to be submitted late due to technical issues and it's considered cheating, but I can ask if I can retake it.

For me to get a 60 I mist score a 27 on the final. For a 70 a 67. It's possible I can pull it off as the later half of the assignments aren't so bad as the early ones. I simply do not remember how to convert stuff to binary or any of the other things off the top of my head.

[davewill]

I would not fraudulently claim a technical problem. A cheating accusation would be a disaster that could keep you from graduating.

[Randyb100]

Do you mean you didn't even type anything for sections two or three?  If you left the boxes empty, you could try the approach of saying you had technical problems. I had an issue with Operating Systems where there was no "Submit" button to move on from the multiple-choice questions. I had to retake the exam a second time. So they may allow it. Again, the worst response is typically "no."

Good luck!

I asked and was told that's fine for AI. My request for a retake in Comp. Arch. was denied as it is already the final week of the course with the final due the 22nd. I have a 71 in 75% of the course, so I need a 27 for a 60 and a 67 for a 70. If I fail I will retake through SDC as it's a very boring topic in all honesty.

As for AI, he's letting me turn in assignments late and doing the midterm before the end of the course, so I have a good shot at passing. I will turn in everything first to see what I need to do for the midterm. The final isn't a test but a project worth 20% of the class. I'd only need to make a 30 or so on the midterm to pass with a C, and that's if I don't turn in a few assignments until then.

So besides the residency thing, I'll just have comp. arch, a lower level elective (intro to python), and data structures to do through SDC. I will most likely just take Python at TESU with the capstone to meet residency requirements and redo Comp. Arch along with Data Structures at SDC to get it over with in December. 

With this plan, I will finally finish in February and will have to wait for the June conferral date to actually graduate, but at least it's done!