Your grade will be based on the better of a curved grade
and an absolute grade.   The grading scale is based on
the first seven discussions, the first seven homeworks, the first three labs,
and the first two midterms (a total of
43% of the final grade).<P>

The curve includes only A's and B's (2/7 A's, and 3/7 B's), and the numbers are
based on the number of people in the class (84),
so drops may change the numbers slightly (if someone with an 
estimated grade drops the class, that number goes down by 1).<P>

As you may recall, I mentioned that we grade more easily in ECE120 to
encourage you in your studies.  However, I also mentioned that it is 
important that you know what to expect in the future.
Towards that end, the curve is currently set to the one that I use 
for most ECE undergraduate classes.<P>

The absolute scale is also pretty typical for my classes.<P>

<PRE>
grade # students (cumulative) points
  A       16         (16)       90
  A-       8         (24)       85
  B+       9         (33)       80
  B       18         (51)       75
  B-       9         (60)       70
  C+                            65
  C                             60
  C-                            55
  D+                            50
  D                             45
  D-                            40
</PRE><P>

Interpret the table as follows: the top 16 students will get
A's, as will anyone getting 90+ of the 100 possible total
points. The top 24 will get A- or better, as will anyone
getting 85+ of the total, etc.<P>

All but one of you are on the absolute scale in the current grade estimates.
As of now, I estimate 35% As and 50% Bs.

You can find your estimated grade in Blackboard.

--SL