Microbiology

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2014

If he said he doesn't give As then what is the question? Sounds like the instructor answered the question. If you actually earn a 93 and don't get an A then complain the head of the science dept.

AspiringNurseMW · Nov 16, 2014

Uh. He sounds a little dickish to me. What does he have against people trying to get an A. In my school a 90 in general is an A. Just do what you need to to get your 93, then he has no reason NOT to give you an A. None of my professors curve their grades that I am aware of but most will take into consideration attendance and participation if you are borderline from one grade to the next

Girlafraid13 · Nov 16, 2014

I haven't had a professor who curves grades in a while. For the most part none of my science teachers will bump grades. But the social sciences usually bump grades from B to an A. Even had a sociology teacher for summer who told me if I just showed up to take the final he would give me an A regardless of my score. I guess for the very competitive science courses such as micro Chem bio A&P teachers rarely make it easy to get an A. At least in my experience. I'm having the same dilemma for math a 90 is an A and I have a 89.3 in the class which is a B no exceptions. Grrrr

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 16, 2014

No, he shouldn't grade on a curve. We should get the grades we earn. However, saying he "doesn't give an A" is really tough. If he's purposely marking answers wrong or giving impossible questions to answer, that's not right of him to do. Sounds like he's being difficult for the sake of being difficult. And to say he's not here to help you get an A? I would try telling him you're interested in mastering the material. That you aren't there to just get your grade and be on your merry way. That you really want to understand the material. Maybe he'd be more receptive to that than asking if he grades on a curve? I would also suggest you take advantage of supplemental instruction or tutoring provided by your school. Earn that A and show him it can be done

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 16, 2014

I honestly have never had a professor curve grades. It sounds like you are going to have to earn that A. Grades don't get rounded at my school either. If you have an unknown project coming up, make sure you do really well on it!!

Sizzline · Nov 16, 2014

My school does not permit grading on a curve. That being said, I did earn an A (93) in Micro, in a class where the bulk of the students got Bs and Cs, so it was possible. I worked really, really hard for that A. I liked the PP's suggestion to put it to your professor as that you are striving to truly master the material. I think that is more likely to prompt him to help you figure out what you need to do to get that A, versus asking about grading on a curve.

mmrox92 · Nov 16, 2014

I did tell him that my goal is to learn the material as I really love science and I enjoy the class... I'm just really disappointed since the highest grade on the midterm was a 88, and then an 82 and I got the 88... So I am ahead of the whole class

mmrox92 · Nov 16, 2014

And I participate to tons and he knows I know my stuff just made careless mistakes

Medic6758 · Nov 16, 2014

From my experience, most science professors never curve grades, however, I have had professors that believe no one deserves a perfect score, but to say no one gets an A, I would have a hard time accepting that.

I know every school is different, but how is a grade of 93 or more is needed for an A? Can you score more than a 100?

mmrox92 · Nov 16, 2014

90-93 is an a-... 95-97 is an a 97-100a+... It's a cuny

dorkypanda · Nov 16, 2014

you're doing pretty darn good, some people wish they could have done better like obtain a B in the course. I believe not every professor grades on a curve. tough love.

Do whatever you need to do to do well on your last exam, quiz, final or whatever to achieve that A.