Howdy! So, as some of you know, I'm a student at the University of Illinois. As an engineer, I took a very high level math class last semester. On the midterms, I did very well, however the final was kinda hard, and I didn't do so hot. I also missed one of the midterms with a migraine, and I was excused from it (or so I thought).
Anyways, I got a low grade in the class. I emailed my instructor to confirm that he got my excuse from the emergency dean (the office in charge of handling such excuses). He emails me back saying, no and that he will check when he gets back in the US on January 12th. He also states that if he drops the midterm I missed, I'll end up with a much better grade. Grades and academic standing are finalized on the 6th (yesterday). I inform him of that fact and tell him that he should get in contact with the emergency dean (by email or phone) in order to confirm my excuse. He emails me back saying that he must keep my grade because my final (which I did terrible on) counts towards my missed midterm as well.
So here's his formula for calcualting my grade:
.15x(HW scores) + .30x(midterm scores - 15% each) + .55x(final exam score) then divide by 100 to obtain percentage
Normally grades are calculated as follows:
.15x(HW scores) + .45x(midterm scores - 15% each) +.40x(final exam score) then divide by 100 to obtain percentage
Personally, I feel that his way of calculating my grade was done in order to specifically highlight my poor final score. Also, the fact that he told me that if he drops the midterm I missed, my grade gets change prior to this makes me suspicous. I personally think that he fabricated this formula in order to make himself not have to go through the trouble of having to change my grade. Also, I am not being graded anywhere as nearly as other students. Thus, I am taking my case to the head of the math department. I have also contacted the professor to reconsider, as well as asking him for clarification as to why he told be that dropping the missing mideterm gives me a better grade. So I'm basically wondering what should I expect here? Who is right?
ETA: When I hear drop, two formulas, which are much more fair come to mind to me:
.15x(HW scores) +.45x(midterm scores - more percentage for each midterm) +.40x(final eam score) then divide by 100 to get precentage
OR
.15x(HW scores) +.30x midterm scores(still 15% each) +.40x(final eam score) then divide by 85 to get precentage
His formula specifically highlights my poor final and does not anywhere nearly alllow for me to be graded by the same standards as other students IMHO.
UPDATED!!! I talked with the chair of the math department who basically said its all up to my prof. My prof has decided to give me a second chance at the final (which will be different) in order to show that I deserve the grade I deserve.