CMSC-203 Discrete Math: Policy (spring 2000)

CMSC-203 Discrete Math Policy (spring 2000)

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.

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 cutoff lines are drawn. 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). Roughly speaking, 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. To earn an A, you must demonstrate fluency writing proofs, solving problems, calculating quantities, and counting values.

In addition, to pass, each student must achieve the minimum raw scores listed below. Thus, for example, if you don't hand in any homework, or if you miss any exam, then you will fail, regardless of your semester score.

Grading Weights

Homework-36%, Exam I-15%, Exam II-15%, Final Exam-20%, Quizzes-12%, Class Participation-2%.

Minimum Raw Scores Needed to Pass

Homework-300 (out of 500), Exam I-20 (out of 100), Exam II-20 (out of 100), Final Exam-20 (out of 100), Quizzes-20 (out of 100), Class Participation-0 (out of 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.

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. 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. 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; adjunct faculty by definition are not. At UMBC, most adjunct faculty are part time, and most regular faculty are full time (though the term "adjunct" does not imply part time).