Sectionality or Why Section Determines Grades: an Exploration of Engineering Core Course Section Grades using a Hierarchical Linear Model and the Multiple-Institution Database for Investigating Engineering Longitudinal Development

George D. Ricco is a doctoral student in Purdue University’s School of Engineering Education. He previously received an M.S. in earth and planetary sciences studying geospatial imaging and a M.S. in physics studying high-pressure, high-temperature FT-IR spectroscopy in heavy water, both from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has a B.S.E. in engineering physics with a concentration in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. His academic interests include longitudinal analysis, visualization, semantics, team formation, gender issues, existential phenomenology, and Lagomorph physiology.