CompSci 260 - Final Exam and the 260 Portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam - Fall, 2011 (Dillencourt)

A new department policy established in 2011 states that exams given in core courses will also serve as MS Comprehensive exams. Here is how this policy will be implemented in this offering of CompSci 260.

A single final exam will be given during finals week, on Thursday December 8 at 4PM.

• This exam is to be taken by all students in the class.
• This exam will consist of two parts:
  1. A required short answer/multiple choice portion to be taken by all students. This portion will be cumulative and comprehensive, covering most topics covered in the course.
  2. An optional portion, consisting of a small number (probably 1 or 2) problems to be solved in depth. At least one problem will require producing a proof.
• To pass the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam, you must get an A- or higher on each of the two parts of the exam.

If you are a student enrolled in CompSci 260 this quarter:

• You must take the Final Exam.
• When you take the Final Exam, you will have a choice of whether to take the optional portion. This will work as follows. (Note that the numbers 60 and 40 as used below may not be exact.)
  1. The required, short answer/multiple choice part will be worth approximately 60% of the exam.
  2. The optional portion will be worth approximately 40% of the exam. If you choose not to take the optiional portion, you will receive a designated amount of points for free. Choosing not to take the optional portion means that you will not pass the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam but greatly increases the chances that you will get a better grade in the course.

If you are a student who has taken CompSci 260 in a previous quarter and who wants to take the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam this quarter:

• You must sign up to take the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive. This must be done before the end of the second full week of classes. The mechanism and exact deadline for signing up will be announced here.
• You must take the Final Exam at the date and time specified above.
• To pass the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam, you must get an A- or higher on each of the two parts of the exam.
• Note: Once you sign up for the Final Exam, you will be considered as having re-taken the 260 portion of the MS Comprehensive Exam. Note that you are allowed at most 1 retake, and this will be it.