I'm Being Discriminated Against Because of GPA

[Kogarashi]

Genetics. I hate biology. Just memorizing stuff is boring to me. I like stuff that has application, which is why I do much better in my Chem classes.

I think my husband would disagree about the lack of application in biology. (He's a PhD student in molecular biology right now.)

[Greenday]

I'm sorry, correct me if I'm wrong, but you want to be a CSI, right?

Nope, no, definitely not. I want to be a lab tech. More chemistry, higher pay. As of right now, I'd be able to test for drugs, alcohol, gunshot residue, fingerprints, and if necessary, DNA comparisons. My hair analysis needs a lot of refining. DNA comparisons really isn't as hard as it might seem.

I think my husband would disagree about the lack of application in biology. (He's a PhD student in molecular biology right now.)

Mmm, fair enough. Most of my bio classes have been nothing but memorization, and the labs are minimal hands-on work, with just observing things. Chem lectures involve a lot more problem solving and calculations, and labs involve constant hands-on work.

[Evil Queen]

Nope, no, definitely not. I want to be a lab tech. More chemistry, higher pay. As of right now, I'd be able to test for drugs, alcohol, gunshot residue, fingerprints, and if necessary, DNA comparisons. My hair analysis needs a lot of refining. DNA comparisons really isn't as hard as it might seem.

.....

Bio is very important in the Lab Tech field. But I'm going to shut up now. There's no way I can win this one.

*takes her marbles and leaves*

[Kogarashi]

Mmm, fair enough. Most of my bio classes have been nothing but memorization, and the labs are minimal hands-on work, with just observing things. Chem lectures involve a lot more problem solving and calculations, and labs involve constant hands-on work.

::nod:: Most likely different forms of application. I don't know much beyond that, though, because I was an English major. I dislike all sciences, and biology was by far my least favorite. (What's that they say about opposites attracting?)

[JuniorMintz]

So just out of curiosity Evil Queen, what was your major?

[One-Fang]

I have agree with EQ that it's not discrimination. In a purely literal sense, I suppose it is, as much as 'discriminating against' people who fail courses by not giving them a passing grade is, anyway.

But we usually use "discrimination" to refer to treating an individual (or group) differently based solely on those factors about that individual over which they have zero control. Skin colour, gender, orientation. Discrimination of those factors over which we do have control is rampant and common, and how many things are just done - people who fail a class don't get the credit for it, people who can't drive don't get a licence, there are entry limitations on university entrance, there are entry limitations on scholarships, jobs require you to have a minimum of 3 years of experience ... and so on.

Sucks that you're caught in the middle and I think some kind of grandfathering ought to go on if this was not enforced when you applied for, and received, the position. But it's not "discrimination" and it's kind of offensive to those who do get discriminated against to say it is.

[Greenday]

It's easily discrimination against my major. There are other majors that if I put in as much effort as I am now, I'd have a GPA AT LEAST a point higher. A 2.7 might make sense for those who take classes with grade inflation, but when you take all classes where half the class fails and the curve is non-existent, there's no reason why they should have the same standard.

[AdminAssistant]

Nope, no, definitely not. I want to be a lab tech. More chemistry, higher pay. As of right now, I'd be able to test for drugs, alcohol, gunshot residue, fingerprints, and if necessary, DNA comparisons. My hair analysis needs a lot of refining. DNA comparisons really isn't as hard as it might seem.

So....you want to be Abby? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Sciuto

Cause I think you'd look cute in pigtails.

I hate curving grades. 1) It discourages anyone from trying to really excel, because they don't want to set the curve. 2) It causes retaliation against the good students from the not-as-good students. I nearly got beat up a few times for making a 100 on tests, and the teacher announcing "well, there can't be a curve now". And yet, my students expect them. And I laugh and laugh and laugh. (I recently had a student who wanted to rewrite his paper. When I told him 'no', he said I wasn't giving him a chance to succeed. *sigh*)

[Greenday]

So....you want to be Abby? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Sciuto

Cause I think you'd look cute in pigtails.

Pretty much, except in real labs, you stick to one concentration, not everything. One group does blood alcohol, one group analyzes drugs, one group for DNA, etc. etc. So there really aren't many jack of all trades like in the TV shows.

And now that my hair is getting longer, maybe I'll give pigtails a shot.

[SengaKitty]

All I can put in here is Genetics is REALLLY hard. My highschool in Israel (mind you their high schools are like junior colleges here) was a Biotech/communications focused school, and I majored in Biology, with a focus on microbiology and genetics. I'll also say biology and genetics have a lot of hands on application in certain labs, like the infectious disease labs (Did a mini-thesis in one of them). Also, I despise chemistry, and find it to be very difficult, so you are a braver person than I in that aspect.

[One-Fang]

I'll allow that choosing the level may have a negative effect on certain majors (although this "I work harder than any of you folks" is getting REAL old, real quick, I'd stop dissing other people's hard work and commitment if I were you).

But applying the level, once set, is not discrimination. Make a public move in the club to lower it, then. Quick, before you have to apply for the job again next round.

[RootedPhoenix]

Make a public move in the club to lower it, then. Quick, before you have to apply for the job again next round.

This.

If the rule is as unuseful as you say, and you can get enough of the others to agree, then it won't be there, and you won't have to worry about it. Judging from what you've said about them, your GPA is not a very good indicator of your equipment skills. So see if you can't get that rule changed. It might help someone else out later too, if you can do it.

And I'd have to agree with AdminAssistant. Majors are equal in workload. Different majors just produce different stuff, so it only looks easier or harder. Don't bash on other people's work.

....and I'll stop before I enter fratching territory, though I'll be starting a thread there on this.

[Evil Queen]

So just out of curiosity Evil Queen, what was your major?

I'm majoring in Business. This way I can have the education to open my hotel.

[Bandit]

I'm majoring in Business. This way I can have the education to open my hotel.

The 30-second business course.

Look at GM, Chrysler, AIG, CitiGroup, and Blockbuster.

Don't do what they did.

Fin.



B

[Kiwi]

My university banned grade curves. The professors always made that as plain as can be at the start of each semester. If your paper deserves and A you get one, if your paper deserves a B you get one.

I always thought grade curves were the most idiotic grading system.

Good luck with the whole being pres Greenday, surely they will over turn a stupid rule!