Homework Assignments:
There will be eleven homework assignments of equal weight which are
usually due within one week. For each homework assignment, any score of 60% or higher will be rounded up to 100%.
The lowest homework will be dropped from
the overall homework score. Homeworks will mostly consist of written
problems but may
occasionally contain programming assignments. Homeworks will be posted on the homework page. Only a subset of the homework questions will be graded for credit.
You are allowed, and in fact encouraged, to turn in homeworks in groups of two.
You only need to submit one solution with both names on it; however you need to alternate
the person who writes up the solution and you need to clearly indicate the name of the scribe.
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.
Homeworks are to be submitted on paper in class. If you cannot attend class you are welcome
to submit your homework by email to the instructor, by sliding it under the instructor's
office door,
or by any other means you can think of to get the homework on time to the
instructor.
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 or from the web).
See the section on Academic Integrity.
Homework grades will be available on Blackboard.
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.
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.
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.
The classroom is equipped with video recording capabilities. The lectures will be recorded
and will be made available on blackboard.
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).
If you are stuck on a problem and unable to get to the instructor or the TA for help, then we suggest
you try and use hints from a publicly available source such as a textbook or journal
article. The source has to be cited and you have to write the solution in your
own words. It should be apparent to us that you understand the solution in order to receive
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.
Please read the Student Code of Conduct,
the Roadrunner Creed and the
UTSA Academic Honor Code.
Exams:
There will be two tests and a final exam. All tests as well as the
final exam will be closed-book and closed-notes (no electronic
devices allowed). For each exam you are allowed to bring one "cheat
sheet": Half a single-sided letter paper page. The 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+ >= 93%;
A >= 90%;
A- >= 87%
B+ >= 83%;
B >= 80%;
B- >= 77%
C+ >= 73%;
C >= 70%;
C- >= 67%
D+ >= 63%;
D >= 60%;
D- >= 57%
F < 57%Handouts, Slides, and
Pictures:
The class web page will have links to all class handouts as they become available. Blackboard:
Assignment grades will be available on Blackboard.
You are also encouraged to use the discussion tool on Blackboard.
Academic Integrity:
Last modified by Carola Wenk,
carola @ cs.utsa.edu ,