As noted in the course syllabus by Ms. Deming, the answers to assigned problems must be explained fully. The answers must be in complete sentences with correct grammar and without spelling mistakes. More importantly, your thought processes underlying your answer must be clearly stated. Suppose a question asks you to describe the color of the sky if all the dust particles in our atmosphere were the size of bricks. If you answer the question with one word, "white" or "black," your answer would be incomplete. You would get NO credit for such incomplete or one-word answers. Most of your points will come from demonstrating that you understand WHY a phenomena occurs the way it does. Thus a more complete answer to the above example would be, "The sky would be black because all the light would be blocked by the brick-sized dust particles. This is similar to any brick wall which blocks sunlight."
Even if your answer was completely incorrect, at least I would be able to guide you in the right direction even if no points could be awarded for a completely incorrect answer. So your goal is two-fold, when answering questions on homework, discussion assignments or in exams: you want to answer correctly and you want to explain your answer fully.
Math problems will also be graded similarly. A correct numerical answer will be worth zero points if the accompanying work is missing. The steps leading up to your answer must be shown. A common error students make is forgetting units which often leads to confusion in the final answer. So I would highly recommend that you keep your units throughout any problem you solve. When I do math problems as examples, I will do them as completely as possible so you can see what steps must not be omitted. It is also extremely important to understand the numerical answer you get. I will require that you have a sentence or two discussing the numerical answer you get.
Finally, I reserve the right to give you unannounced quizzes and extra credit for an exceptional effort on assigned homework or discussion assignments. However, no extra credit assignments will be given. Any complaints about grading policy must be made in writing to me outside of lab or discussion section or directly to Ms. Deming. Any complaints about grading on a specific question or a problem must be made within 3 days after I have announced that a particular assignment has been marked and placed in your folder.