Your grade will be based on the better of a curved grade
and an absolute grade. A projected grade based on
the first three MPs and the first midterm (a total of
27% of the final grade) will be available in Compass sometime
soon.<P>

The curve includes only A's and B's (50% A's, and 40% B's), and the numbers are
based on the number of people who took the first midterm (44),
so drops may change the numbers slightly (if someone with an 
estimated grade drops, that number goes down by 1).<P>

<PRE>
grade # students (cumulative) points
  A       13         (13)       85
  A-       9         (22)       80
  B+       4         (26)       75
  B        9         (35)       70
  B-       4         (39)       65
  C+                            60
  C                             55
  C-                            50
  D+                            45
  D                             40
  D-                            35
</PRE><P>

Interpret the table as follows: the top 13 students will get
A's, as will anyone getting 85+ of the 100 possible total
points. The top 22 will get A- or better, as will anyone
getting 80+ of the total, etc.<P>

Note that even though the curve includes 90% A's and B's, all of you
are currently on the absolute scale (in other words, the absolute scale
currently gives each of you the better grade).

--SL