Grading

The grade will be calculated based on a combination of  homework, class participation and  in-class midterm and final exams.   In order to pass the course, the average in-class performance must also be "pass" (in other words, homework can affect the grade, but it cannot save otherwise failing performance).

Deadlines and Lateness

If you have an unavoidable conflict that prevents you from completing an assignment on time (such as travel to a conference or a medical emergency), please send email to the instructor as soon as you become aware of the problem, briefly stating the circumstances and how much more time you need.  If you need an extension, please ask for it as soon as the need for it is known. Extensions that are requested promptly will be granted more liberally. 

In addition, UNexcused lateness will still be tolerated, but within bounds.  You have a "bank" of 5 days of lateness that you can use at your discretion.  This is most useful for situations like "I didn't realize it will take so long" or "I ran into time pressure on the last day".  Once you used your 5 days, any additional day of unexcused lateness will cost 20% of that assignment's credit.  You must turn in all assignments.

Collaboration among Students

The purpose of student collaboration is to facilitate learning, not to circumvent it. Studying the material in groups is strongly encouraged. It is also allowed to seek help from other students in understanding the material needed to solve a particular homework problem, provided no written notes are shared, or are taken at that time, and provided learning is facilitated, not circumvented. The actual solution must be done by each student alone, and the student should be ready to reproduce their solution upon request. Any form of help or collaboration must be disclosed in full by all involved on the first page of their assignment (e.g. "Jane explained to me what is asked in Question 3.4", "I pointed Joe to section 2.3 since he didn't know how to proceed with Question 2"). When such collaboration is deemed excessive by the instructor, grading may be somewhat affected. However, collaboration without full disclosure will be handled much more severely, in compliance with CMU's Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

Last modified: Tue Jan 10 15:30:01 EST 2006