Homework Assignments:
There will be eleven homework assignments of equal weight which are usually due
within one or one and a half weeks. Homeworks will consist of written problems and will
not contain any programming assignments. Homeworks will be posted on the homework page.
Review of the grading of a homework 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.
You may turn in homeworks as groups of two people; the group has to
be clearly indicated on each homework.
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. You are not allowed to read, copy, or rewrite the solutions
written by others (in this or previous terms).
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.
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.
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 may turn in homeworks as groups of two people; the group has to
be clearly indicated on each homework.
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. You are not allowed to read, copy, or rewrite the solutions
written by others (in this or previous terms).
If you're stuck on a problem and unable to get to the instructor for help,
then we suggest you try and use hints from a
publicly available source such as a textbook or journal article. The
source should be cited and you have to write the solution in your own words. It should
be apparent to us that you understand the solution for full credit. 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.
Grading:
Grading will be based on the following
weighted scale:
A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
E < 60%Handouts, Slides, and
Pictures:
The class web page will have links to
all class handouts as they become available. Academic Integrity:
Research Option:
Students interested in Carola's research area
(Geometric Algorithms, Shape Matching, Bioinformatics) may be eligible to replace parts of the regular grading
scheme with work on a research project. If you are interested please contact Carola for more details.
Last modified by Carola Wenk,
carola @ cs.utsa.edu ,