Mathematics 266: Course Policy
Exams:
We will have two in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam.
Each exam is worth 100 points and the final is worth 150 pts.
The test dates (subject to revision) are:
Friday 2-9
Wednesday 3-21
Grading system:
A straight percentage is calculated based upon your homework and quiz
grade (about 80 pts), the in-class exams (200 pts) and the final (150 pts).
The semester grade is based upon this percentage. In borderline cases
(within about 5 points of a borderline - on either side),
my own personal opinion, based upon final exam performance, class attendance
and class participation will determine your grade.
Tests will be curved based upon my opinion of the difficulty and how
well the class does. In past semesters the final scale has been
approximately a 87-75-62-50 percent scale.
``Plus'' and ``minus'' grades will be approximately the top and bottom three percent
in each grade bracket.
Homework, Quizzes:
In addition to the practice problems listed on the
problem list there will be
regular quizzes and turn-in homework assignments through the course
of the semester. Occasionally extra credit problems may also be
assigned which will add on to the homework grade. The homework and quiz
grade will only count if it benefits your average (it will for most of you).
I expect about 3 quizzes, 3 homeworks for about 70 - 80 pts.
Some of the homework is designed to prepare you for the types of
problems that will be on the exams, but others are more analytical and go
beyond what is possible to put on a test. To encourage students to work
hard on the homework problems I'll occationally give extra credit for
good work on the more difficult problems. This makes it possible for an
average test-taker to get nearly 100 percent on this part of the grade
(with enough hard work!)
Late Homework, Missed Quizzes, Absences:
Attendance is highly recommended but not required. However, I do regard the
homework and quizzes partly as a class participation grade and will accept
only one excuse from any
one person during the semester
regarding late homework or missed quizzes.
Missed Exams:
There will be no make--up exams for people who miss an exam without a
valid reason. A valid reason must be supported by some official
note of explanation, such as a note from a physician. Lacking this,
your semester grade percentage will be calculated using the scores available,
with the missed exam counted as 50 percent of your average of other exams.
If you know
in advance that for legitimate reasons you will be unable to take an
exam, please discuss this with me BEFORE THE TEST.
Alternate Final Exam:
In case you have three exams on the day
of our final exam, you will need to talk to the professor of the
class which has the least number of students in it, and have
him or her set up an alternate test time for you.
Cell Phones
are annoying. Turn them off before class.
Partial Credit
It is
always a good idea to check the grading on tests, quizzes adn homework.
Occasionally the something is overlooked and I will be happy to correct
the oversight. On the other hand, assesment of partial credit is not
an exact science. Usually on a given test people will get both
unfavorable and favorable partial credit on a give test, so if you think
you deserve more partial credit on one of the problems, I will look at
the whole exam and decide based on the whole
test whether to give more credit.
Tutors
Tutors are difficult to find for 266. If you think you will need lots of extra one-on-one help with the course, try to find a tutor early, befoe they are all taken. Otherwise, for most people it should be enough to
regularly come to office hours to go over practice problems. I'll be happy to help you diring my office hours.
Last updated Jan. 04, 2007