Homework Policy
Homework is the most essential part of a mathematics course. It is only by
diligent work on the problems that mastery of the material is possible---you
have to get your hands dirty!
My policy on homework is as follows:
| Grading |
Homework papers are graded
by the teaching assistant(s). I expect that you will do your very best
on each homework, however, I believe that the homework is where students
are supposed to make their mistakes. For this reason your homework grades
will constitute the smallest fraction of your course grade.
Further, I understand that during the course of the semester,
life doesn't always follow a smooth path. Everyone is entitled to one
"free pass", i.e., I drop the lowest homework score. |
| Solutions |
The teaching assistant(s) will write solution sets
for the problems on the homework. These extremely valuable learning tools
are distributed on the day the homework is due. |
| Late Papers |
Usually not accepted, but please see me well in advance
of the due date if special circumstances arise. |
| Illegible and Unintelligible Papers |
You are expected to communicate your mathematical thoughts
clearly. Papers should be neat and the problems should appear in the order
assigned. It is not the job of the teaching assistant (or any one else)
to decipher sloppy or garbled writing; I fully support a teaching assistant's
decision to give no credit because of illegible writing or unintelligible
grammar. One suggestion is to first work out the problems on scratch paper
and then to recopy.
I encourage you to learn
LaTeX and use it for writing up your solutions. |
| Working Together |
You are permitted---even encouraged!---to work together
on homework assignments. Teaching each other and working together are
important skills. However, it is essential that you adhere to the following
procedures:
- First, attempt to work the problems yourself. If you run in to trouble,
then begin your discussions.
- Second, to the extent possible, communication on homework problems
should not be "one way".
- Third, and most important, you are not permitted to make any
written record of your discussions. You may, of course, use pencil
and paper while trying to solve the problems jointly. However, once
the discussion is finished, this scratch work is to be discarded.
You are then to reconstruct the arguments on your own.
|
| Outside References |
Your class notes, handouts and the assigned text
should provide the material you need to work the problems. If
you wish to consult other texts, you are permitted to do so. It may be
the case that you will find the solution to your problem in another
text or on the internet. It is unacceptable to simply repeat (or trivially modify) that solution. You should be
able to reconstruct the answer on your own.
In general, presenting someone else's work as your own is plagiarism and is cause for disciplinary action.
|
Computational
Aids |
The use of calculators and computers is permitted.
If you use a computer to solve a problem, be sure to include the program
listing. |
| Explain Your Answers |
Simple "one word" responses to problems are rarely
acceptable. Be sure to give clear (but not overly long-winded) explanations
as to how you arrived at your answer. If the problem does ask you to ultimately
give a numerical answer, be sure it is easy to find that answer on your
paper. |
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