Homework Assignments:
There will be ten homework assignments of equal weight which are usually due
within one week. Homeworks will consist of written problems only. Homeworks will be
posted on the homework page. For each homework assignment, any score of 60% or
higher will count as 100%.
The score of the lowest homework will be dropped.
You are allowed to turn in homeworks in groups of two.
You may discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a homework assignment with
your other classmates, but you have to write up your solution on your
own (with your group partner). You are not allowed to read, copy, or
rewrite the solutions
written by others (in this or previous terms or from the web).
See the section on Academic Integrity.
10% of the homework score will be based on clarity of exposition of the
solutions. In other words, a problem solution that is technically perfect,
but which is presented in a difficult-to-understand manner, will lose 10% of
the score for that problem.
Some guidelines for the written presentation of solutions are given in the writing guidelines. Neat and concise
solutions are required in order to receive full credit for your solutions. If
you cannot solve a particular problem, state this clearly in your write-up,
and write down only what you know to be correct; rambling at length about
ideas that don't quite work may cause additional points to be deducted.
Programming Projects:
There will be two programming projects of equal weight. Programming projects will be
posted on the homework page.
You have to work on your own on your programming projects (you are
not allowed to work in groups).
You may discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a programming project with
your other classmates, but you have to write your project on your
own. You are not allowed to read, copy, or
rewrite the solutions
written by others (in this or previous terms or from the web).
See the section on Academic Integrity. Also note
that we will use automatic checkers to detect software plagiarism.
Review of the grading of a homework, a programming project, or an exam must be
requested within 2 weeks after the graded exam/homework is returned to you.
Be aware that such a review will consider the exam/homework as a whole, and
as a result your grade is just as likely to go down as it is to go up.
There are no late days of any type for homework assignments. Late
homework will not be graded for credit. In extra-ordinary cases (a
two-day cold does not count since you have one week to complete the
assignment), contact Carola prior to the due date to get a
homework extension.
You are required to actively participate in the recitations by solving (or attempting
to solve) exercises on the board. If you participate less than twice throughout the
whole semester, your class grade may be docked by up to 10% at Carola's discretion.
The weighted average will determine your letter grade roughly as follows:
During the lectures we will use slides as well as the board. Carola will take
pictures of the board during the lectures. Those pictures as well as the
slides will be available on the webpage, such that you
can see what has been covered if you happen to have missed a class. There is
however no guarantee that the pictures will be complete.
You are allowed to turn in homeworks in groups of two.
You may discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a homework assignment with
your other classmates, but you have to write up your solution on your
own (with your group partner). You have to work on your own on your programming projects (you are
not allowed to work in groups). You may discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a programming project with
your other classmates, but you have to write your project on your
own. You are not allowed to read, copy, or
rewrite the solutions
written by others (in this or previous terms or from the web).
Also note
that we will use automatic checkers to detect software plagiarism.
Every cheating will be reported to the office of academic integrity.
If two people are caught sharing solutions then both the copier
and copiee will be held equally responsible. Cheating on an exam will
result in failing the course.
Exams:
There will be two tests and a final exam.
All tests as well as the final exam will be open-book and open-notes (no
electronic devices allowed).
The two tests will be non-comprehensive, but the final exam will be comprehensive.
Late Policy:
Without prior arrangements, missed exams and homework assignments result in
a grade of zero. In order to take a make-up exam, contact Carola
prior to the exam if you have to miss it
for some valid reason; documentation may be required. Notification after
the exam will result in a score of zero.
Recitations:
Attendence in the recitations is required. If you miss too many recitations, your
class grade may be docked by up to 10% at Carola's discretion.
Grading:
You will receive the same grade for the class and for the recitation.
Grading will be based on the following
weighted scale:
A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%Handouts, Slides, and
Pictures:
The class web page will have links to all class handouts as they become available. Academic Integrity:
Last modified by Carola Wenk,
carola @ cs.utsa.edu ,