15.053  Optimization Methods in Business Analytics

Our grading scheme for projects and for 15.053 in general

This is the fourth year that projects have been an integral part of 15.053. The projects have been getting better every year, and this year is no exception. Chiwei recently sent out grades with some brief comments on each project. Here is a brief description of our basic grading scheme.

In determining grades, we considered the correctness of the model, the quality of the analysis, the quality of the written presentation, and the quality of the oral presentation. We developed a grading scheme that was consistent with how the grades for 15.053 were determined as a whole. In particular, the dividing line between an A- and a B in 15.053 this semester was slightly above 83. We graded the projects for 15.053 with this grading scheme in mind.

A project grade between 75 to 84 was in the range of B- to B+. This indicated the group did a good job. It may have indicated some flaws, but not necessarily so. Mostly it indicated that there were opportunities to enhance the model, the analysis, the write-up, or the presentation. It usually reflected that others who worked on similar projects did a better job on these aspects of the project. Points were sometimes taken off for small errors in the write-up, such as the model being incorrectly stated even though the Julia or Excel model was correct. But usually, this was a small number of points.

A grade of 85 to 89 was in the range of A-/A. We considered these projects to be very good. We viewed this projects as being at the level that one expects from very talented and hard-working MIT students. (The grade may seem lower than the way projects are graded in other subjects. We thought the projects were very good and deserving of A’s.)

A grade of 90 to 95 was in the range of A/A+. We considered these projects as exceptionally good. Generally, these projects were beyond the expectations that we had for the projects.

A grade of 96 to 100 was an A+ and in the category of “above and beyond.” These projects exceeded expectations by a lot, and often led to surprising outcomes. For example, a team optimized a problem that I did not think it was possible to optimize. Or they developed a novel approach for the solution or analysis that we found to be ingenious.

On a final note, grades have been submitted through Websys. There are two more steps before grades are posted on Websys: one by a Sloan administrator and one by the registrar. My guess is that grades will be available to you on Friday, but this is only a guess.

It was a pleasure having all of you in 15.053. I hope that you have a great summer.

Regards, Jim

Announced on 17 May 2016  1:19  p.m. by James B Orlin

We encourage you to evaluate 15.053

Hi,
If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to fill out the evaluation form for 15.053. http://web.mit.edu/subjectevaluation/
We really do care about the feedback from students. I read all of the responses, as do all of the TAs.

I also hope that you have all had a really good semester, and wish you the best for the upcoming summer.

Regards, Jim

Announced on 13 May 2016  2:08  p.m. by James B Orlin

Check grades on Stellar

Please verify all your grades (PSets 1-8 and Midterms 1-3) on Stellar and let us know if there is is a mistake/mismatch.

Announced on 11 May 2016  3:56  p.m. by Rajan Harish Udwani

Unclaimed materials

Unclaimed exams are available during presentations.
Unclaimed problem sets and exams from drawers outside E62-570.

Announced on 11 May 2016  2:02  a.m. by Khizar Qureshi

Midterm 3

Mean: 90.94
Median: 92.00
Standard Deviation: 9.44
Max: 105.00
Min: 48.00
Exams will be available for collection after presentations

Announced on 09 May 2016  12:14  a.m. by Khizar Qureshi