IamIDP Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 So in a biochem course that I'm taking, the prof at the beginning of the course gave us an outline saying we will have 2 midterms that are 25m/c each and a final exam 50m/c. However, she later decided to change the 2nd midterm to 35m/c......To make matters worse, she decided to change the final exam from 50questions to 70 questions without notice (after drop deadline). Is the prof. allowed to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkwhy Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I would say they can. They can do whatever they wanted. I think the syllabus, in most cases, is subject to change depending on what the prof feels is necessary. One of my profs decided NOT to test us on the last 2 lectures, as well as cutting the exam questions short by 15 questions. If they're allowed to do it in this manner, why not the other way? It'll all be weighted the same though, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 So in a biochem course that I'm taking, the prof at the beginning of the course gave us an outline saying we will have 2 midterms that are 25m/c each and a final exam 50m/c. However, she later decided to change the 2nd midterm to 35m/c......To make matters worse, she decided to change the final exam from 50questions to 70 questions without notice (after drop deadline). Is the prof. allowed to do this? What difference does it make? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGo1990 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Not sure. Even if they're not allowed to I doubt admin would go through the trouble of pursuing something as petty as that (not so petty to students, but I don't think they'd see it as a big deal). but generally more q's = a good thing anyways imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojoluvsu2 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I was told by a prof that the syllabus is a contract between the prof and the student and that it couldn't be changed without the consensus of the class. This was mentioned because a lot of us had a midterm in another class on the same day as a midterm in his and we were looking to change the date. He told us that if even one person emailed and said they didn't want the date change he couldn't because he was bound by the syllabus. I don't know how true this is, or how much weight it carries in practice (if you were to take your argument to the chair or dean). I also don't know if it carries with the content of tests. Like what was said above, does it really matter? More questions means each is worth less (one mistake doesn't cost you as much). But if it really bothers you I'd check either with the dean or the academic ombudsperson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamIDP Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I was told by a prof that the syllabus is a contract between the prof and the student and that it couldn't be changed without the consensus of the class. This was mentioned because a lot of us had a midterm in another class on the same day as a midterm in his and we were looking to change the date. He told us that if even one person emailed and said they didn't want the date change he couldn't because he was bound by the syllabus. I don't know how true this is, or how much weight it carries in practice (if you were to take your argument to the chair or dean). I also don't know if it carries with the content of tests. Like what was said above, does it really matter? More questions means each is worth less (one mistake doesn't cost you as much). But if it really bothers you I'd check either with the dean or the academic ombudsperson. The nature of the course content and course itself...is brutal. She increased the questions from 25-->35 on 2nd midterm and average swooped down 10%. So yes, it makes a big difference as the questions she puts are quite challenging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 The more questions there are, the more reflective your score will be of your ability (less margin of error). I'm pretty sure the added questions wouldn't be any more challenging than the rest of them. Only the nature of the questions will influence the average, not the quantity (assuming you aren't pressed for time). That average would have dropped whether there was 10 or 100 questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojoluvsu2 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 The nature of the course content and course itself...is brutal. She increased the questions from 25-->35 on 2nd midterm and average swooped down 10%. So yes, it makes a big difference as the questions she puts are quite challenging. If this is something you want to pursue I would start with the ombuds person and see if you have any grounds to complain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamIDP Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 The more questions there are, the more reflective your score will be of your ability (less margin of error). I'm pretty sure the added questions wouldn't be any more challenging than the rest of them. Only the nature of the questions will influence the average, not the quantity (assuming you aren't pressed for time). That average would have dropped whether there was 10 or 100 questions. Nature of the questions are tough but to make it worse, time is precious. So do I have any grounds to complain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronjw Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Nature of the questions are tough but to make it worse, time is precious. So do I have any grounds to complain? complaining is the easy part. Having it result in something is different altogether lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 If I were you: a] I'd have a discussion with the Ombudsperson and b] I'd have an informal discussion with the Dean or Assistant Dean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGo1990 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 complaining is the easy part. Having it result in something is different altogether lol Yep. Chances are nothing will come out of it, as pessimistic as it sounds. EDIT: depends how big the class is too. if it's small and the prof will recognize you make sure she doesn't feel like you're going over her head. otherwise she might do something nuts like make the next exam even harder. try talking to her first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Nature of the questions are tough but to make it worse, time is precious. So do I have any grounds to complain? Was there time added to go with the extra questions? If not, you may have a case. If the time was adjusted accordingly, you have no reason to complain IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamIDP Posted March 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Was there time added to go with the extra questions? If not, you may have a case. If the time was adjusted accordingly, you have no reason to complain IMO. No additional time. Same thing more questions. Average dropped 10%ish and the class was very big....but alot of people had to drop after the 2nd midterm. I chose to stay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.