Grading Details

Grades will be computed as follows:

Quizzes: 30%
Midterm: 30%
Final: 40%

Class Participation

There will be frequent opportunities for structured active participation during lecture (solving problems), in which everyone is expected to participate. There may also be a few homework/mini-project assignments or other opportunities for extra credit.

Homework and Quizzes

Homework will be assigned about twice a week, but will not be collected. This does not mean you are not required to do it. Your understanding of the homework problems will be assessed using quizzes (also about two per week--9 total). Quizzes will be patterned on the homework problems. Please understand that simply looking over the homework problems and/or their solutions, and deciding that you could solve them on a quiz, is almost certain to lead to not doing well on the quizzes. You will be expected to work very quickly on the quizzes, more quickly than is possible if you haven't already done similar problems completely and on your own. You are strongly encouraged to form study groups for working on homework assignments. Explaining a concept to others is extremely valuable for the learning process. After meeting with a study group (especially if you did more listening than talking) I suggest you take a moment alone to quiz yourself with a few problems you haven't seen before.

Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes. Quizzes will be given promptly at the beginning of class. Please ensure that you are not late to class.

Midterm and Final

Midterm will cover all material covered up to the day of the exam. The final will likewise cover all material from the whole quarter, though additional emphasis will be given to material covered after the midterm. Both will be closed book.

Final Letter Grades

Final grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 90%+
B = 80-89.9%
C = 65-79.9%
D = 50-64.9%
F = <50%

Plus and minus will be assigned at the instructor's discretion. This includes but is not limited to: consideration to improvement over the course of the term, class participation, and natural "breaks" in the distribution of scores.

Academic Integrity Policy

Do not cheat. If you cheat, or are even suspected of cheating, I will enforce the UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship. This means that your case will be referred to the Dean of your college, who will determine your guilt or innocence, and who will determine your punishment if guilty. Punishment may include an F in the course, academic probation or suspension from UCSD. If you have any questions about this, please ask.