You should realize that this approach actually saves time over the whole semester, since it is easier to do homework problems right after studying the material, and thus reinforcing the lecture. Also, by starting all homework problems as early as possible, you have the opportunity to get additional help before the due date. You should expect to spend at least three hours of your own time for every hour of lecture per week.
Please note that the homework is due in class, at the beginning of the lecture to be precise. No guarantee can be given for homework turned in at any other time and/or place. I will accept late homework only in exceptional situations, provided approval for late homework has been obtained by the due date. If late homework is accepted, it will ordinarily still accrue a penalty of 5% of the possible points for each day from the due date until my receiving it (including weekends and holidays). I reserve the right to exclude any problem from grading on late homework, for instance, if it was discussed in class.
Never leave homework at my office, if I am not present, as it may get destroyed by the cleaning crew. Rather, you should submit it in a properly addressed campus mail envelope at the departmental mail slot at MP 410. Always write your name clearly on the homework. Your student or social security number is not needed at any time. For everybody's protection, if your name is not clear, your homework score will not be recorded! I suggest to include my name (Gobbert) and department name (Mathematics and Statistics) on the front of your homework, which helps to recover the homework, in case it gets lost somewhere on campus.
Some formal notes: Assemble your homework in professional style, properly ordered, each problem clearly labeled, using sufficiently large and clear lettering, etc. Please leave sufficient margins other spaces for comments and feedback. You must show complete work for full credit. This also means that you have to give enough details such that another person with a similar background as yourself can reproduce your answer exactly. This criterion will be the guiding principle for grading.
While the grading scale will be adjusted later to some degree to reflect the level of difficulty of the exams, the following may serve as a guideline based on prior experience:
Score above | 90% | 80% | 65% | 50% | otherwise |
Letter grade | A | B | C | D | F |
Please note that this syllabus is subject to change by announcement, in particular the weight distribution and the grading scale.
I apologize for these drastic statements, but past experiences have forced me to add this paragraph to the syllabus. Please, remember that I am charged with enforcing academic integrity in order to preserve the quality and reputation of your education, grades, and degree at this university. When in doubt about anything or if you have any questions on this matter, feel free to contact me.