Intermediate Micro

A: Your section grade accounts for 5% of your overall grade. It is determined in part by your performance on the three quizzes, but there is also room for TA discretion. TA's are given leeway to account for effort, participation and attendance when considering this part of the grade. In lecture, clicker use accounts for another 5% of your final average. While half of the clicker grade is determined by the correctness of your answers, half of it is determined by your participation, for which your attendance is necessary. Each week, a total 0.5 points are available. You get 0.25 participation points if you click in at least once during that week. You get 0.25 performance points if you have no more than one incorrect or missing response during the week. top

Q: Do I need to bring my iClicker to class?

A: Yes, please bring it to every class. top

Q: How does the iClicker factor into my grade?

A: In lecture, clicker use accounts for another 5% of your final average. While half of the clicker grade is determined by the correctness of your answers, half of it is determined by your participation, for which your attendance is necessary. Each week, a total 0.5 points are available. You get 0.25 participation points if you click in at least once during that week. You get 0.25 performance points if you have no more than one incorrect or missing response during the week. top

Q: Why do we use clickers?

A: Our class is very large. The clickers allow the class experience to be more engaging and allows for rapid feedback for both the instructor and the students. top

Q: Do I need iClicker or iClicker2 for this class?

A: You may use either kind. If you must buy a new one, I recommend iClicker2. top

Q: Do I need to register my clicker again if I've used it before?

A: Better safe than sorry. You might as well register it again, just to be sure. top

Q: Why are all my clicker scores listed as zero on Gauchospace? What can I do about this?

A: This most likely is because your clicker is not properly registered. Go back an re-register your clicker and let me know that you did this. If you fix your registration before the end of week 5 (April 29), I will recalculate and update all your earlier scores. After week 5, I will only recalculate and update the scores from the most recent upload (every 2-3 weeks). top

Q: My clicker was not properly registered? What can I do about this?

A: Go back an re-register your clicker and let me know that you did this. If you fix your registration before the end of week 5 (April 29), I will recalculate and update all your earlier scores. After week 5, I will only recalculate and update the scores from the most recent upload (every 2-3 weeks). top

Q: How will the quizzes affect my grade?

A: The quizzes affect your grade, but only minorly. They mostly serve to give you feedback on your understanding of the material before an exam. A total of 5 % of your final average will be determined by your quiz results plus some points left at the discretion of the TA. top

Q: What will be the format of exams?

A: The exams will be closed-book and will consist of a block of multiple-choice questions (~8-10 on the midterms), followed by two free-response questions. You will answer the multiple-choice questions using a scantron sheet and the free-response questions on the test paper itself. The midterms will be in-class and are designed so that most students should reasonably be able to finish them in the allotted 75min. The final will be a bit longer, but is not designed to take up the entire allotted 3 hours. top

Q: Is the final/second midterm cumulative?

A: The course material is by nature cumulative. The first midterm will only test material covered until then; the second midterm will focus on material learned after the first midterm, but will necessarily rely on some earlier material as well. The final exam will cover material from the entire quarter, with emphsis on the material covered after the 2nd midterm. The schedule on the syllabus lists the covered chapters. top

Q: What do I need to bring to exams?

A: For each exam please bring a pink ParScore scantron sheet and a number 2 pencil. Pens are optional. Blue-books are not required or allowed. No electronic devices (calculators, phones, computers, combinations thereof) are allowed in any of the exams (abacus, slide-rule: ok). Any person observed with such a device in hand or visible will be deemed in violation of class policy and given a failing grade for the course. top

Q: Can I use a calculator on the exams?

A: No. top

Q: Can I use a translator on the exams?

A: No. top

Q: The numbers on my exam book appear to have been added incorrectly. What can I do?

A: Please tell your TA immediately. S/he will check it and record any grade change. After you take the exam book into your possession (out of the room), you will no longer be able to make any changes. top

Q: I think the scantron reader made an error/misread my writing. What can I do?

A: Please show your TA immediately. S/he will check it and record any grade change. If you think that your printed scantron score report does not reflect what you marked on the actual scantron sheet, you may come to my office during office hours and look up your actual scantron paper. top

Q: I think my exam was graded unfairly/I think I deserve more points on this question/I think that the answer I chose is correct even though the answer key says it's not. What can I do?

A: If you believe an exam has not been properly graded, you must submit a written re-grade request to your TA within one week of receiving your exam back. You must explain clearly why you believe your score is in error. We will take a second look at your exam and consider your request. We may revise your score upward or downward, but in the vast majority of cases we make no change. Note that once you leave a section/office/class with a returned exam in your possession, you relinquish your ability to request a re-grade. If you are looking at the exam, but would like to make a request at a later time (within the deadline) you may give the exam back to your TA or professor to hold onto until you are able to write the request. top

Q: I missed/have to miss an exam because of ________, may I take a make-up exam?

A: You are expected to take all three exams. There are NO makeup exams for any reason. Please clear your schedule now for these dates. If you cannot attend all of the exams, you should not take this class this quarter. If you have a last-minute emergency situation and you have an official document attesting to this fact signed by an official authority, it may be possible to shift weight from a missed midterm to the other two exams. The full policy regarding missed exams is stated on the syllabus. Read it carefully. top

Q: I have a conflict with the final exam, but I REAAAALLLY need to take this class this quarter. What can I do?

Q: I have ______, may I take an incomplete for the class?

A: Incompletes are granted only in rare, extreme circumstances. If you believe you have such a circumstance, please arrange to come talk to me. top

Q: If I take an incomplete for this class, what will I need to do to complete the requirements?

A: This is handled on an individual basis. Please arrange to come talk to me. top

Q: I'm in the DSP program. What do I need to do?

A: Students with disabilities will be accorded academic accommodations. If you require such an accommodation, please let me know at the beginning of the term using the forms provided by the DSP office. You are required to request the accommodations in advance of each relevant class activity (e.g. exam) and the accommodations will be arranged through the DSP office and the Economics Department Undergraduate Office. If you are uncertain how to go about doing this, please contact the DSP office. top

Q: Will there be a review session for the midterm/final?

A: There will be a review session before the final exam. The final exam review session will be held on Friday, March 16, 3-5pm in NH 1006. top

Q: I got a __ on the first midterm, but I really need to get a ___ in this class. What can I do to improve my grade?

A: Ultimately, you will need to perform better on the second midterm and final exam. Because the course material is by nature cumulative, you will need to solidify your understanding of the material that you missed. Re-examine your test and try to figure out the questions that you missed. Come to as many OH as possible and ask about these questions until you understand them. For the new material, try all of the practice problems (first on your own) and then come to OH and section to get help figuring out what you couldn't get on your own. Speak up in OH and make sure your questions get heard and addressed. top

Q: I'm not satisfied with my final grade. Is there anything extra work I can do to improve my grade?

A: No. Your grade is entirely determined by the five factors listed on the syllabus: midterm 1, midterm 2, the final exam, your section/quiz grade, and your clicker grade. top

Q: I can't make it to your/my TA's office hours because of a schedule conflict. What can I do?

A: You are free to attend the OH of any TA, not just your own. All TA office hours and locations are printed on the syllabus. If you need to speak to me (professor) specifically, but have a conflict with my office hours, you may email me to arrange an appointment at another time. top

Q: Can I switch sections?

A: You must attend the section for which you are registered, unless you have the written consent of both the TA for the section that you will be attending and the TA for the section for which you are registered. Make sure you give your new TA your perm number, as well. Finally, GOLD will not recognize you section switch. This means that when it is time for you to get back the scantron score-report after an exam, you must get it from your old, original TA-- the one that GOLD thinks is your TA. It is your responsibility to seek out your score report from this TA. top

Q: How do I know if my iClicker is registered?

A: If you registered it for Econ 10A last quarter and no other person has used it since the, it should still be registered in your name. However, if anyone else has used it recently or if you last used it a while ago, I recommend registering it again, just to be sure. Sometimes the iClicker folks purge their registration data. top

Q: How do I register my iClicker?

A: Go to: www.iclicker.com and click "Register your clicker". Follow the instructions on the screen. top

Q: What if I can't read the ID tag on my iClicker?

A: You can look up your ID by visiting the dedicated computer station in Kerr Hall room 2166, the Digital Editing Lab/Reserve Media Viewing room. top

Q: I have a question about ______. Should I email my TA about this or should I email the professor?

A: For most questions, especially those directly related to course content, you may email either your TA or professor. For help with one of the practice problems or a question about the grading of an exam question, I recommend trying your TA first. You may want to email me (professor) if you have a question about something specific mentioned in lecture. top

Q: Why didn't you respond to my email from yesterday/last night/this morning?

A: If recent, may not have seen yet or had a chance to reply. If old, may have slipped through cracks or gotten lost in the bowels of my inbox. Ok to resend it if you haven't heard back in 48 hrs. Make sure you put ECON 100B in subject line. I will not respond at all to any emails sent in the 24 hours before the start of an exam. top

Q: I'm really worried about the exam next week, do you have any extra time to meet with me and answer questions?

A: We hold sections, office hours, and review sessions, and we answer emails all quarter long. Please make sure that you take advantage of these pre-existing opportunities before asking for extra help. We ARE here to help you and may be willing to provide some extra individual attention if you ask. However, we will be much less willing to do so if you have not been regularly attending sections, office hours, and review sessions throughout the quarter. top

Q: Do I have to attend section?

A: No, you do not have to attend section. Nor do you have to attend classes or take exams. However, attendance is strongly suggested and your grade is determined according to the criteria listed in the syllabus. top

Q: When is the homework due?

A: Never-- it is not to be handed it, nor is it graded. You are to try the assigned problems on your own and we (professor and TAs) are here to provide feedback and help. top

Q: Can I have the solutions to the workout problems?

A: The solutions to the even workout problems are in the workout book (B&V). You learn the solutions to the odd workouts and to other posted problems through discussions with us (TAs and professor), but we will not be distributing written solutions. top

Q: I'm not registered for the class yet. Can you get me on the waitlist or give me an add code?

A: The Economics Department Undergraduate Office handles all matters related to dropping or adding the course, wait-lists, etc. Please contact them regarding these issues. You can find a link to sign up for the waitlist on the main Economics Department homepage. If you are blocked from putting your name on the waitlist, you will have to contact the Undergrad Office about this. During the second week of classes, the Undergraduate office will provide me with a prioritized wait-list and a limited number of access codes. Only then will I be able to admit anyone into the class. top

Q: Which edition of the textbook/workbook should I buy -- 7th or 8th?

A: It doesn't matter. Either is acceptable. I use the numbering system from the 7th edition when suggesting workouts (see the syllabus) and as far as I know the numbers in the 8th edition are the same. top

Q: Do we have section during the first week of class?

A: Yes. We will be there. You are always welcome to join us if you please. top

Q: Do we have section after an exam?

A: Yes. We will be there. You are always welcome to join us if you please. top