CMSC-203 Discrete Math Policy (fall 20000)
Grading Policy
Semester grades are issued as measures of performance
on required course activities; grades are not necessarily
measures of effort, intelligence, understanding, progress,
or self-worth. To earn an A, you must demonstrate
fluency writing proofs, solving problems, calculating quantities,
and counting values. The best way to earn a high grade is
to solve problems daily and to ask questions.
Grades are computed as follows using
a combination of absolute and relative standards.
For each student, a semester score is computed as
a weighted linear sum of the activity scores on
all required course activities, using the weights
given below. The set of scores is sorted and
the instructor draws
cutoff lines. A score of 90-100 guarantees
an A; a score of 80-89 guarantees at least a B; a score
of 70-79 guarantees at least a C; and a score of 60-69
guarantees at least a D. I reserve the right, however,
to "curve" the grades in the students' favor (I will never
curve grades in students' disfavor).
There is no predetermined distribution of grades:
everyone could earn an A, or everyone could fail,
depending on how the students perform.
Typically about 20% of the class will earn an A;
30% of the class will earn a B; and 40% of the class will
earn a C. The exact placement of the cutoff lines
will depend on a combination of absolute and relative
standards.
In addition, to pass, each student must
make a serious effort to complete all
required activities (homework, Exam I, Exam II,
Final Exam).
Thus, for example,
if you do not hand in a sufficient amount of homework, or if you
miss any exam, then you will
fail, regardless of your semester score.
Achieving less than 60% of the total possible
homework points would typically be clear evidence
of lack of serious effort or adequate performance.
The quizzes are ungraded and for practice only.
Grading Weights
Homework-28%, Exam I-20%, Exam II-20%, Final Exam-30%,
Quizzes-0%, Class Participation-2%.
Late Homework
Late homework is not accepted. The reasons for this rule
are twofold. First, it is an unreasonable imposition
on the grader to have to grade late work. Second,
I would like to be able to discuss homework in
class on the day it is due.
Student Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of each student to
(1) solve several non-assigned problems
every day, (2) come to each class prepared to
ask a new question, (3) participate actively
in class, (4) learn all vocabulary items
mentioned in class and in the reading, and
(5) make a serious effort to solve
all required work. Starting to work
on homework the night before it is
due is not sufficient effort.
On average, each student should spend
at least ten hours per week on this course;
most of this time sould be spent solving
problems.
Collaboration
Joint study and joint work on homework problems is encouraged.
However, each student must write up each homework solution
entirely independently. You must never look at anyone
else's written solution, and you must never show any
of your written solutions to any other student. You should be
alone whenever you write up solutions.
Academic dishonesty, in any of its many forms, will not
be tolerated and will be dealt with severely (including up to
expulsion from school). Read university policy on this subject.
Understand and avoid all forms academic dishonesty.
For example, avoid plagiarism, which involves representing
someone else's work as your own.
Joint work is never allowed on any quiz or exam.
Incompletes
Incomplete grades are issued only under those extreme circumstances
outlined in university policy. In particular, failure to do the work on time
is not a sufficient reason for granting an incomplete.
Email Etiquette
- Send course email to
sherman@umbc.edu without cc'ing any of the
various other aliases that your instructor may have.
-
Include an informative subject header, such as
"CMSC-203-101 question on HW2, Problem 1".
Be sure to include the course and section
numbers.
- Include
your full name on the sender line.
- Avoid
attachments unless there is a compelling reason
to include them; in particular, put short ascii text
in the body of the message and not in an attachment.
- Be clear and concise.
- Ask focused questions.
- Do not ask questions
such as "How do you solve Problem 3?" Explain what
you have done and ask a specific question in that context.
- Know the difference between reply and reply-all.
- Do not send administrative requests to all members on
a mailing list. Learn how to use the automatic list manager
majordomo@lists.umbc.edu.
- Use a spelling checker.
- Think and proof read before you send.
Classroom Etiquette
Be seated, quiet, and ready to learn when the class time begins.
Do not speak when someone else is speaking.
Turn off all noise-making electronic devices including
alarm watches, pagers, and cell phones.
Do not eat or drink in class because the sights, smells, and
noises can be distracting to others.
Be considerate
and respectful of everyone.
Addressing Your Instructor
You should address the instructor as "Dr. Sherman," or if you
prefer, with the more respectful "Professor Sherman."
Please note
the following hierarchy of university titles:
Grader < Teaching Assistant <
Lecturer < Instructor < Assistant Professor < Associate Professor
< (Full) Professor < Chair < Dean < Provost < President < Chancellor.
Use the highest applicable title, especially when speaking
in the presence of others.
Essentially all assistant professors and above are doctors (i.e.
hold earned PhDs), but not all doctors are professors (this
is why "professor" is more respectful than "doctor.") Most
instructors and below do not hold hold PhDs. Regular faculty are
tenured (have gained job security through passing a rigorous evaluation)
or are on a tenure track (will undergo a tenure evaluation);
adjunct faculty by definition are not.
Most associate and full professors are tenured;
most assistant professors are not. At UMBC,
most adjunct faculty are part time, and most regular faculty
are full time (though the term "adjunct" does not necessarily imply
part time).