Grades and Final Examinations
Grades are based on performance by students in the classroom and laboratory as shown through tests, oral responses and other classwork, outside assignments, experiments, term papers, other acceptable academic procedures, and final examinations. The grade is intended to reflect student progress toward the objectives of the course.
All students are required to take final examinations in courses each semester in accordance with the published final exam schedule. No instructor shall deviate from the published schedule of final exams for a class or individual student without the written approval of the school dean.
Final Instructional Class Days and Reading Periods
The following applies to the standard academic terms, including the Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and Full Summer Session. It does not apply to the Early Short Summer Session and Late Short Summer Session. Given the variability in the exact timing of the Full Summer Session, the Office of the Registrar will adjust the final instructional class days and reading periods for this semester only to meet the required instructional time.
Final Instructional Class Days
Final Instructional Class Days are scheduled during each standard academic term including the Full Summer Session and are the last two days a course officially meets.
No tests or quizzes are to be administered on these days. Lab quizzes and practicums may be given in courses comprised of both a lecture and a scheduled lab, wherein the lecture carries at least two credits.
For all courses, graded homework or assignments, lab reports, course projects, demonstrations, studio reviews, and presentations may be due during these two days, provided that they are listed on the syllabus at the start of the semester.
All quizzes and tests should be graded and reported to students on or before the last Final Instructional Class Day.
Reading Periods
Reading Periods will be designated to provide time for students to prepare for final examinations.
No classes will meet, including labs, recitations, projects, design/capstone courses, and studios.
No assignments, projects, presentations, or other graded activities are allowed.
Instructors may schedule optional study review sessions for students during reading periods, but no credit or extra credit may be attached to these optional sessions. New content may not be covered, and any materials (e.g., handouts, slides, practice problems, etc.) that are provided at these optional review sessions must be made available to all students. This provision does not require that such optional sessions be audio or video recorded.
Final Examinations
In regularly scheduled lecture courses of the Institute, a final examination shall be administered at the time specified in the official Final Examination Schedule as distributed by the Office of the Registrar. In courses such as seminars, senior design, capstone, writing courses, and laboratories, final examinations may be waived and may be replaced with an appropriate assessment. The decision to give a final exam in these courses shall be made by the instructor of record. An announcement of the course’s final examination policy shall be made to the class at its first meeting and included in the syllabus.
No assessment other than a final examination or its replacement may be due during the Final Examination Period.
A change in the scheduling of a final examination for an individual student ordinarily will not be permitted; however, such a change may be allowed for hardship cases at the discretion of the instructor and approval by the school dean. The request for a change must be justified in writing by the student and shall be submitted to the instructor at least one week before the Final Examination Period and may be rescheduled to an appropriate time.
In the event a student has two final examinations scheduled for the same time, the course having the lower number shall be considered in conflict, and the student shall notify the instructor no later than two weeks before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period. In such case, the final examination in that course shall be given during the Conflict Examination Period or, by agreement of the instructor and the student, at an alternate time.
If the student notifies the instructor after the above deadline but before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period, the student shall, at the discretion of the instructor be given the final examination during the Conflict Examination Period or at an alternative time during the Final Examination Period.
A student who fails to notify the instructor of the conflict before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period shall, at the discretion of the instructor:
Receive a score of zero on the final examination, or
Be given the final examination during the Conflict Examination Period or at an alternative time during the Final Examination Period.
In the event a student is scheduled for three final examinations in one day, the examination scheduled for the middle period shall be considered in conflict, and the student shall notify the instructor no later than two weeks before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period. In such case, the final examination in that course shall be given during the Conflict Examination Period or, by agreement of the instructor and the student, at an alternate time.
If the student notifies the instructor after the above deadline but before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period, the student shall, at the discretion of the instructor:
Be given the final examination during the Conflict Examination Period or at an alternative time during the Final Examination Period, or
Be given the final examination at the time scheduled for the course.
A student who fails to notify the instructor of the conflict before the Thursday of the Final Examination Period shall, at the discretion of the instructor:
Receive a score of zero on the final examination, or
Be given the final examination during the Conflict Examination Period or at an alternative time during the Final Examination Period, or
Be given the final examination at the time scheduled for the course.
Conflict Examination Period
The Conflict Examination Period is on the last day of finals.