Final grades for this course will be computed based on cumulative points (out of 100 total) in the areas below, according to the weights listed:
Homework assignments.................................30 points
Midterm exam................................................30 points
Final exam.....................................................40 points
Final letter grades will be curved, based on the total points received.
Homework will typically be assigned once a week, due the following week, and must be turned in at the beginning of class. Homeworks will be considered late by the end of class and will no longer be accepted. If for some reason you cannot make it to class, you should either ask a friend/classmate to hand in your assignment for you, or make sure that it gets to the instructor beforehand.
If, for whatever reason, the University is officially closed on the due date for an assignment, the due date will be moved to the next lecture.
There will be an in-class midterm exam, and an in-class final exam.
Students who are ill or have another valid excuse must explain the circumstances to the instructor before the due date of an assigment or exam, and then complete the work within the following week, in order to get full credit. Any illnesses or emergencies need to be properly documented.
Points will not be given for any ``extra credit projects.'' It is important to complete all the regular assignments to get the most you can out of the class!
Students with a documented disability who wish to discuss academic accommodations should contact the professor as soon as possible.
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. University standards regarding academic integrity apply to all work performed for credit in this course, and as a student you are responsible for upholding these standards. Particulars of the University's Code are printed in the Undergraduate Catalog, and a description of what constitutes academic dishonesty is also given in the on-line Schedule of Classes. In brief, the Code requires that you must never engage in acts of academic dishonesty at any time. Acts of academic dishonesty include cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or helping another person to do any of these things. Violation of the Code carries very serious consequences; for more information, please visit the Student Honor Council web site.
The rules regarding academic integrity apply to homeworks as well as to exams. As a part of these rules, you must give credit to any book, published article, or web page that you have used to help you with a particular assignment. These rules also apply to unpublished sources of information. In particular, students are encouraged to discuss assignments and other class material with each other, but every student must personally think through and write up his or her own answers to the homework questions. To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments:
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination.