Multi-section courses

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The general principle is that a multi-section course is considered as several sections of the same course.

Here are some general guidelines for multi-section courses that are common practice in the Math Department.

• Every multi-section course has a coordinator who is assigned by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. The coordinator normally is a regular, full time faculty member of the Department of Mathematics. The responsibilities of the coordinator are to oversee the course, including setting out a syllabus for the course, and coordinating common tests and the final examination.
  
  
• Each instructor teaching in a multi-section course has his/her own way to approach the material. In particular, with the exception of common tests and the final examination, it is not the role of the coordinator to set policy concerning grading or testing in individual sections. The final grade in the class is decided by each individual instructor.
  
  
• The final exam in a multi-section course is common to all sections. The coordinator is responsible for overseeing the writing of the final exam. Each instructor should provide the coordinator with sample problems for the final exam and should be given a chance to approve the final version of the examination.
  
  
• The general format of the final exam should be discussed by the coordinator and by all instructors teaching the class. Details about the type of the exam (e.g., multiple choice or not) are ultimately the decision of the coordinator.
  
  
• If the final examination is not a multiple-choice exam, then it is expected that the grading of the final exam be done by all the instructors. This is implemented most often by the coordinator assigning problems to each instructor for grading. This sets a common grading policy that will guarantee uniformity per problem.
  
  
• After the grading is completed, and regardless of the format of the final exam, the coordinator and all the instructors set a letter-grade scale for the final exam that is common for all students in the course.
  
  
• The final exam grade must count at least 30% of the course grade for all students.
  
  
• Each instructor should provide time after the examination for students to discuss their grades. It is not the responsibility of the coordinator to discuss individual students' grades, except for those in his or her section.

Mathematics Department Tulane University 6823 St. Charles Ave New Orleans, LA 70118 phone: (504) 865-5727 fax: (504) 865-5063

Last Updated: June 20, 2007