Tyrannical Graduate Student Instructors....

[YTNUKLR]

Sorry guys, I just have to vent......and I'm not one to get really angry over things, especially when I know it was my fault in the first place

I am just not having a good day. I just got back a test in Thermodynamics from my GSI (Graduate Student Instructor, for those who have not been blessed by their presence.... ), and I got a 73.5% when I was expecting "A" range. Similar test, last time, I got a 70%, but didn't b!tch too much because they said the class would be curved (like most Engineering classes are)...usually, even getting a C- on an exam (basically "Average", the big part of the bell curve), I can pull off a B+ or better for the class, which is fine by Engineering standards at this school.. I'm not one to be a victim or approve of "playing the victim/sympathy card" but I really feel jipped, and this might just force me to have to retake this class!

Let me explain:
-I read the assigned readings in the textbook, cover to cover
-I went to the review session the day before, in which we went over the relevant material in a similar format to the test (held by the aforementioned affable GSI...)
-This class meets 3 times/week, I have MAYBE missed it two times total in the past 3 months, and subsequently retrieved those lectures online, from the professor

I had this class down, pat. This GSI is just out to rip people up. The professors do absolutely NO grading of the tests, there is only 1 (ONE!) GSI, and the only thing that counts for a grade is the exams (there are 3, I've taken 2). I have never faced not passing a class at Berkeley. Period.

Now, do you have any similar stories? Words of wisdom on how to deal with this person? She is a rather prickly individual and I have approached her previously.....was summarily 'dismissed' and the professors don't give a fu^k at this point.

I'm pissed......and don't know what to do. I really can't see myself taking this class over again, especially when I know the ____(insert profane expletive here) material....!

[Flatbutt1]

Is the grade you received fair? Really? Did you lose grade points on anything subjective that can be argued? I'm assuming that the solution carries points just as the answer does.

Talk to the GSI straight up but not angry. Tell them why you think you deserve more points and base your argument on facts.

[YTNUKLR]

The grade is most definitely not fair. Keep in mind, if I ever do poorly on something, I'll take it in stride and figure it out. I didn't like my C- on the first one, so I made a special, special point to know absolutely everything on this 2nd test.

Yes, I did lose points on subjective grounds. In fact, this is what is posted on the class website, because apparently I'm not the only one that's up in arms over this: "Written regrade requests are due Friday.

Logical arguments with supporting evidence on the factual correctness of answers will result in additional points. Please also notify us of mistakes in adding or recording as well.

****Note on question 12A: the partial credit on this question might increase, we have not decided yet. You will be notified of this shortly, if it happens. Please DO NOT turn in a regrade request for question 12A.****

PLEASE RE-READ THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING A REGRADE. The wording and directions on each questions and the entire exam were clear and reasonable. "

The solutions carry points, just as the answers do.. All my work is there and I've double-checked it with the Answer Key they posted, in some cases it would be absolutely ILLOGICAL to assume that I had it wrong, even if some piece of the answer was missing. Also, here's a very good example of what I'm talking about:

-"List 2 characteristics of geothermal heat pumps". There were possibly 3-4 answers, but only 2 were acceptable to her. It's just vague. No doubt, I do not deserve 100%, but come on, I am facing a C-/not passing possibly because this chick grades unfairly? I have been at this school for 2 years, I know how things work, this class does not work like all the others I've taken.

She does not listen to "logical arguments regarding factual correctness". Just doesn't. And I'm not joking...according to the test, for example, it would be perfectly factually correct to just list the two things I listed, perhaps not including one of the ones she wanted. And that question would receive half points....50% correct, in other words. And she's decided the class will not be curved, at all.

[wrecktech]

I had a similar experience when I was in college. I was working towards a psychology and mechanical engineering degree and decided to take an economics class as an elective. Why I don't remember because I normally took chemistry or biology classes as electives. Anyway the GSI's tests were multiple choice, 10 for each question, and none of the answer choices seemed entirely correct. I was lucky to pass as 60% of the class failed. I never took another business class and the GSI was let go after that semester.

[Dantilla]

If a large percentage of the class does poorly, it reflects the instructor's poor teaching/communication skills.

[M.D. Holloway]

Dude, shes a chick! If she is the only thing between you and a grade figuer out how to get between her ears so you can get between her legs! Who cares what she looks like, the uglier the better - means she hasn't seen action in some time.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Dude, shes a chick! If she is the only thing between you and a grade figuer out how to get between her ears so you can get between her legs! Who cares what she looks like, the uglier the better - means she hasn't seen action in some time.

Don't wonder how or why, just eat the pie

[M.D. Holloway]

Scott,
Seriously, your at a great school, your from the USA, your studying science and the odds that you are anglo are better than even considering the ethic roots of your last name. Just pass the freaking class because:
1) No-body really gives a shyt about your GPA (including jobs or grad schools - see #2)
2) If you decide to go to grad school, your from a great school, your from the USA, your studying science and the odds that you are anglo - thats a first class upgrade to any grad school in the country.
3) The crap your learning now will most likely never be applied in the real world so again, who gives a shyt?

Just pass the class, graduate, go to grad school or get a job and really start rocking.

[JavaBrewer]

I took a Physics class in college as a Physical Science elective (CS major). Exam 1 of 3 I got 25%. Graded on a curve that was worth a C+. Second I got a 40% which curved to a B. Final I got 20% which curved to a C-. I was nails (100%) on labs and homework. The professor was out to kill us. I passed and never visited that end of the campus again.

[pwd72s]

Scott, all I can say is that when given advice? Consider the source.

[nostatic]

a thermo class that is essay questions?

Were there problem sets? Chapter problems assigned? Practice exams?

Here's my take as a former undergrad student, grad student (who both took exams and gave/graded them), and professor. This was in chemistry, so ymmv. I used to tell my students the same thing every semester on the first day of class: you do not use your head to solve problems, you use your pencil. Reading the chapter is of little use. Going to lecture is often of little use. Coming to review sessions are of little use UNLESS you have done the practice exam beforehand. Preferably more than once.

Science is about solving problems. You learn the material by doing the problems over and over and over. Not by thinking about it.

[M.D. Holloway]

When I took thermo as an undergrad, we had to derive most of the equations as well as solve problem sets. I'm really not sure you can do thermo with words alone or at all...

[YTNUKLR]

Lube--I don't think I could eat this pie so to speak.. I wonder if these engineering chicks could have paid a little more attention to their own engineering.

as to your other advice, no, nobody really gives a ***** about my GPA. Agreed. I do question how applicable this class is to my future life..it probably doesn't matter a nickel. And yes, if I do go to grad school, they are not going to get bent out of shape over a sophomore year Thermo class...I get all that. But....

The problem is if I don't get this straightened out, or at least convince my professor/GSI that this is unfair, then I will have to take this exact same class over again. Yippee!....not. So, that's why me, usually easygoing, is pretty pissed and a bit wigged out over it.

paul-see above

nostatic--they would ask questions like that, and then you explain how those two things you listed work, citing examples from class and deriving the relevant equations to the problem. The entire test was basically fill-in from memory, as if you were teaching it back to a professor. It's really not that hard, from a material point of view; nothing was unexpected, new or something I just didn't 'get'---we've gone over all this stuff in class, in text, problem sets for HW, review sheets, you name it. The review sheet was actually very much like the test.. That's why this is so boggling. It wasn't even necessary to stop by with the GSI for an individual appt or anything.

I sent the main prof an email, asking to meet for coffee sometime before Thursday.. we'll see how it goes

[john70t]

Some of the ASE cert questions were pretty vague as well:
"The engine has a misfire.
1)TechA says it's a spark plug problem.
2)TechB says it's a valve problem.
3)Both A and B are correct
4)Both A and B are incorrect"

The answer? A of course, because the car is a Mazda.