Math 309 First Day Handout
Contents |
Grading Scheme
- Attendance and HW Quizzes 10%
- Assignments 10%
- Midterms 2@20% = 40%
- Final Exam: 40%
(The grading scheme on this page will be used if it differs from the one on the university site.) Further information, including the midterm schedule, will be posted on the course web page.
Contact Info
Office: SC K10540, Office hours are immediately after class. Drop by anytime the door is open or make an appointment for another time.
Directions: opposite end of the hall from the math department main office, near the statistics office. Or, walk upstairs from the homework boxes, first office to the right of the lunchroom.
Email: aoberman@sfu.ca. Emails which have the subject "MATH 309" and are signed with your full name will be replied to promptly.
Course Web Page
http://www.divbyzero.ca/oberman/wiki/Math_309_Spring_2010
Homework
Homework will be posted on the Course Web Page. The homework is to be handed in in the Tutorial or the Homework Box, at the discretion of the TA. The TA will grade a selection of the problems (the most important ones), and part of the grade will also be based on completeness.
Late homework policy: Homework will be accepted up to one week late, with an automatic 10% penalty. After the first week, an additional 20% will be taken off per week, and homework will be graded only for completeness. This is my policy, designed to protect limited TA grading time.
Tutorials
The TAs will prepare and solve a selection of problems similar to the ones on the HW. It's okay if they solve one or two problems from the HW, as long as the goal is to teach you. If you are stuck on harder problems, email the TAs in advance so they can prepare them. In an effort to make the tutorial time most valuable, the TAs will spend time on a mix of problems. (I.e. do some easier problems, some medium problems, and spend some time on the harder ones). Let me know if you have constructive suggestions on how to make tutorial time more valuable.
Quizzes
I will sometimes give attendance based quizzes in the middle of class. These are designed to save me from boring you too much, or to make sure that you are following along. The quizzes will be handed in, and the TAs will simply grade them based on attendance. On some weeks following the week HW is due, there may be a short (10 minute) quiz at the end of tutorial based on the previous assignment. It's okay for the TA to make sure you know how to solve the problem by teaching the material in the tutorial (without solving it for you).
Textbook and Notes
Note will be provided by the instructor. Notes will be based on several textbooks which are listed on the course page.
Advice on how to succeed in the course
I expect that if you are properly prepared and put in a consistent effort you will succeed in this course. This means that I expect you to attend lectures and tutorials, and turn in your homework on time. If you are having difficulties, talk to your classmates, and get help from the TAs. If you are still having difficulties, come speak with me. My midterms and finals are moderately difficult, the material will be mostly similar the HW or quizzes, but different enough to test your understanding. The best way to study is to go over the HW and quizzes. Focus on the material that has been emphasized, not the obscure stuff that may have been confusing or difficult. Good luck!
Grading and academic integrity
I try to be fair and reasonable and I expect the same from you.
Your grade will be computed according to the scheme above. The raw numerical grades will be converted to letter grades using a curve, with mean shifted according to my assessment of the overall perfomance of the class. This means that you are guaranteed to be graded according to your rank in the class, but if the whole class does well, I have the liberty to shift grades up. (Under normal circumstances, I won't shift the grades down). I have no tolerance for academic dishonesty.
Extenuating Circumstances
Occasionally students have personal problems which might interfere with their performance in the class. If this is the case, send me an email, omitting details, but alerting me to the possibility of the probem. This will make things easier later.