Math 20D
Introduction to Differential Equations

Grading, Etc.


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READING:
Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered to be part of each homework assignment.  It is expected that you have read this material in advance of each lecture.  Furthermore, you are responsible for all of the material in the assigned reading whether it has been presented in the lecture or not.


DISCUSSION/LAB SESSIONS:
The discussion sections are an integral component of the course, and as such you are required to attend.  As all four of the discussion sections are full, only attend the discussion/lab sections in which you are registered.  In addition to discussion sections, you have a reserved time in the computer lab on Tuesdays at the same time as your Thursday discussion section.  These lab sections complement the lecture portion of the course, and have homework problems of their own.  These homeworks are due each week during your Thursday discussion section.


CALCULATORS:
The problems in quizzes, mid-terms and the final exam will be chosen so that calculators should not be necessary.  However, the use of handheld scientific calculators (no computers, PDAs or devices with network capability) is acceptable during quizzes, mid-terms and the final exam.

In any case, you are required to show all relevant work for each problem, as no credit will be granted for results obtained directly from a calculator.


LECTURE HOMEWORK:
Homework problems will be assigned on the course homework page, and should be completed by the indicated due date.  These problem sets will not be collected; however, quiz problems will be based on the homework so you should make every effort to complete the homework assignments and seek help on problems that you were unable to solve.


MATLAB HOMEWORK:
Each week in your lab sessions you will be assigned some computer problems.  These will be due in your discussion section on Thursdays, and your TA will be available during your computer laboratory hour to help you complete these assignments.  Complete information regarding the computer laboratories may be found at the computer homework web site www.math.ucsd.edu/~math20d/.


QUIZZES:
There will be four quizzes given during the last 20 minutes of lecture on certain lecture days -- please see the syllabus for dates and material covered.  Each quiz will consist of two the three problems based on (not identical to) the assigned homework.  No notes or books are allowed during the quizzes; calculators are permitted as detailed above (but will not be needed or altogether helpful).

There will be no make-up quizzes for those missed during the scheduled times.  Of the four quizzes, the lowest quiz score will be dropped.


MID-TERM EXAMS:
There will be two mid-term exams -- see the course syllabus for dates and material covered.   In addition to calculators, you may bring one 4x6 inch card of handwritten notes with you to each mid-term exam. Aside from this card, no notes or books are allowed during the exams.

There will be no make-up exams for those missed during the scheduled times.


FINAL EXAM:
You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch handwritten sheet of notes with you to the final exam.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict during the final examination;  you should not enroll in this class if you cannot take the final examination at its scheduled time. Aside from the sheet of notes, no notes or books are allowed during the final exam.

You must bring your photo ID with you to the exam. 

The final examination will be held at the following date, time and place:

Wednesday, March 22,  3:00pm - 6:00pm.  Place: HSS 1330 (our class room)


RE-GRADES:
We (the graders, TAs and I) will attempt to grade all quizzes, exams and lab exercises fairly the first time. However, if you would like to debate the assigned grade we reserve the right to re-grade the entire assignment, not only the problems that you feel should have been awarded more points.


GRADING:
Your course grade will be based on the following decomposition:
  • 15%  Quizzes (top 3 out of 4 will be averaged)
  • 15%  Matlab Homework
  • 20%  Mid-term 1
  • 20%  Mid-term 2
  • 30%  Final Exam  [Bring Photo ID]
*If the grade on the final exam is higher than that of either mid-term, the percentages will be adjusted as follows:
  • 15%  Quizzes (top 3 out of 4 will be averaged)
  • 15%  Matlab Homework
  • 20%  Highest Mid-term
  • 50%  Final Exam  [Bring Photo ID]
Final grades will be assigned based on the following scale.  We may curve the scale to be more lenient, depending on the final grade distribution, though this is at the sole discretion of the professor.
A +
 A
A -
 B +
 B
B -
 C +
 C
C -
 D
F
97-100
 93-96
 90-92
 87-89
 83-86
 80-82
 77-79
 73-76
 70-72
 60-69
 below 60



ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at UCSD.  Cheating on an exam or quiz results in zero points for that exam/quiz.  This exam/quiz may not be dropped in computing the final grades.  In other words, cheating on an exam will result in a drop of at least 2 letter grades in the course (2 for a mid-term, 3 for the final), while cheating on a quiz will result in a drop of at least 1/2 a letter grade.  Furthermore, we resolve to do everything within our ability to ensure that students caught cheating will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university.