Student Expectations
Course Grading Overview
In each course, students are required to:
- Attend and actively engage in all weekly synchronous classroom sessions
- Attend required peer meeting sessions
- Attempt all quizzes and required assignments
- Demonstrate attempts to achieve content proficiency
- Participate in group discussions or activities on the online campus
- Meet all assignment deadlines
Course grades will be assessed against the aforementioned requirements.
- A course Pass is assessed for those who attempt all required assignments, engage actively in the synchronous classroom sessions, and participate in group discussions or activities in the online campus. To pass a course, students must also meet the minimum attendance requirement.
- A course Fail is assessed for those who do not meet minimum standards of the course. A Fail will render the participant removed from the program and unable to receive the Harvard Business Analytics Certificate.
Grade Equivalency
The Harvard Business Analytics Program is a non-credit program. A course Pass has a grade equivalency of A–C. A course Fail has a grade equivalency of D–F.
Distinction
A very select number of students will be awarded the Harvard Business Analytics Program Certificate with a mark of distinction. A “Pass with Distinction” will be awarded to students who fulfill all course Pass requirements and:
- Are nominated by faculty for distinction in multiple courses
- Demonstrate a superior level of mastery of course content
- Make exemplary efforts in engagement and participation throughout the program
- Uphold and champion Community Values
Participation
Students are expected to attend and actively contribute to all weekly synchronous sessions. To facilitate effective participation:
- Be prepared for all live classes by reviewing all asynchronous materials and completing all required assignments prior to synchronous sessions.
- Arrive promptly to synchronous class sessions and remain until the end of each session.
- Participate in classroom discussions constructively and in accordance with Community Values.
Course-level distinction nominations are determined by faculty at the conclusion of each course based on student performance and participation. Faculty typically nominate approximately 10% of students for distinction recognition.
Webcam Requirement
Per your Intent to Enrollment Agreement, you are required to be on webcam during your live sessions and attend class from an environment that allows your full participation. Plan to attend class from a quiet office location or similar environment.
Section Assignment
You must attend live sessions for your registered course section. You will not be permitted to attend the live session of another section for the same course.
Peer Learning Sessions
You are required to attend one peer learning session of your choice each week prior to the live session. Peer learning sessions are joined via the meetings page and the options are listed in the course calendar, attend any option that works for your schedule. Keep in mind that each student attends the session option that works best for them that week so it is likely that you will meet with a different group of students each week. Students meet to discuss the live session case after you have completed your own individual case preparation.
Peer learning sessions are characterized by intense interaction that deepens your understanding beyond that gained through individual analysis. This interaction includes dialogue, shared expertise, and constructive argument. Many students find that they not only deepen their understanding of the material, but that they also experience an increase in their comfort level with sharing their ideas and insights later in the large live session discussion.
The importance of individual study prior to the discussion group cannot be over-emphasized.
Benefits of a Peer Learning Session
● Better understanding of the material
● Practice in teaching and learning from others
● Opportunities to “test market” ideas and opinions prior to the live session discussion
● Ability to get to know a handful of people more deeply each week
More information about best practices for participating in peer learning sessions can be found in the digital campus. Please reach out to your Student Success Advisor if you have questions.
Attendance
Attendance at all live sessions is mandatory. If you anticipate being absent from a future live session, please alert your Student Success Advisor in writing as soon as possible. Your advisor will confirm if your absence is excused or unexcused, and coordinate next steps with your teaching team.
Absences will be excused only for extenuating circumstances, such as personal emergency, bereavement, or severe illness. Absences due to work or travel conflicts that could be planned in advance will be unexcused.
If you have more than two total unexcused absences from an 8-week course or one unexcused absence from a 2-week seminar, you will not meet the minimum attendance requirement to receive a Pass for the course. Significant excused absences from a course may yield a Fail, requiring you to retake that course in a future term.
In the event of any absence, plan to view the live session recording so you can stay current with the progression of course material. (Note: viewing the recording will not count as having attended the session, but will ensure you are prepared for the following week’s content.) Any questions related to the material you missed should be submitted to your teaching team via the Slack course channel or a scheduled office hour.
Grading and Grade Notification
Course grades will be uploaded to your HBSO portal within 10 business days of the completed term. In addition, Student Success will send grade notifications to all course participants through your program email (Subject: Notification of Course Grade).
Contact your Student Success Advisor if you require additional documentation for the purpose of a tuition benefit program.
Upon successful completion of the Harvard Business Analytics Program, graduates will be awarded the Business Analytics Certificate. Graduates who Pass with Distinction will be awarded the certificate with a mark of distinction
Student Handbook
If you did not review your Student Handbook as you prepared for the program, please do so. You are accountable for abiding by all policies contained therein.
Slack Norms (Netiquette)
Students are expected to conduct themselves on Slack in congruence with the HBS Community Values, Honor Code, and student expectations.
In addition, students should operate according to these norms:
- Enable desktop notifications or download the Slack mobile app.
- Tag a user—such as your teaching fellow, classmate, or Student Success Advisor, to ensure your post receives a response within one business day.
- Use threads (i.e, “Start Thread”) to reply to new posts in course and program channels; do not make a new post.
- Use channels for their intended purpose. For example, post only course-specific questions or feedback in a course channel. Do not post social content in a course channel.
- Be aware of the business hours of your Student Success Advisor and teaching team. For example, do not expect an immediate reply to a direct message after regular business hours. If a message instructs you to call, email, or use a Slack course channel, do not use a Slack direct message.