Other Policies

Late problem sets

Problem sets must be submitted by the date and time listed on the assignment. There will be a 10% deduction for homework that is up to 24 hours late, and a 20% deduction for submissions between 24 and 48 hours late. We will not accept any homework that is more than 48 hours late. Plan your time carefully, and don’t wait until the last minute so that you will have ample time to ask questions and obtain assistance from the course staff.

Pre-lecture preparation

To help you prepare for lecture, you will typically be required to complete an assigned reading and/or watch one or two short videos. You may be required to perform some type of brief task (an online quiz or other exercise) to demonstrate that you have completed the necessary preparation. Your work on these tasks will not typically be graded for correctness, but it should demonstrate that you have adequately prepared for lecture. If pre-lecture tasks are assigned they must be submitted by the specified date and time. Late pre-lecture work will not be accepted.

Attendance/participation

The attendance/participation portion of your grade will be based on your consistent attendance at the lectures and lab sessions, and on your participation in the activities that are part of each class. In particular, you may participate in small-group activities during lecture in which you can discuss questions with other students but answer them individually. These activities are designed to deepen your understanding of the material, and you will be graded on your participation, not on the correctness of your answers. Submitting an answer for someone else is not allowed, and will result in a lowering of the participation grade of both of the students involved.

Computing the final grade

• Weekly problem sets and final project (25%)
• Exams: two midterm exams (30%) and a final exam (40%)
• Preparation and participation (5%)

To pass the course, you must earn a passing grade for each of these three components.

The final grades are not curved. The performance of the class as a whole is taken into account when assigning letter grades, but this can only improve your grade, not harm it.

Miscellaneous

• Extensions and makeup exams will only be given in documented cases of serious illness or other emergencies.

• You cannot redo or complete extra work to improve your grade.

• Incompletes will not be given except in extraordinary circumstances.