EXAM, HOMEWORK, AND GRADING POLICIES FOR MATH 312, Spring 2003
                 Grades in Math 312 will likely be based on homework and two exams.  The two exams will be take-home, one given in mid-semester, and the other at the end of the semester.  After rescaling of homework totals to a maximum of 100 points, the final course average will be simply (H + E1 +E2)/3 where H is the homework total, and E1  and E2 are the scores on the two exams.  The reason for the word "likely" in the first sentence is that if the results of the first take-home are good and and homework is going well, we may simply not bother with a second take-home and instead elevate homework and the first take-home to fifty/fifty status.
       
                                     More so than in any other math course I've ever taught, one can't learn anything useful about dynamical systems without doing homework.  In particular, books on dynamical systems are completely different from textbooks which give easy recipes, how-to-do-it illustrations, and easy-to-memorize tables for regurgitation on an exam.  The point of dynamical systems is to develop experience to fall back on when confronted with complicated systems which don't lend themselves to semi-mindless turn-the-crank analysis.  With this in mind, the homework problems are meant to illustrate complexity despite simplification from the real-life situations demanding the attention of scores of people with highly advanced skills.  Experience with such problems is the only way to gain insight.

                  For each chapter, a list of "worthwhile" problems will be suggested, occasionally with an attempt to separate the interesting but reasonably straightforward problems from the very interesting and non-straightforward ones.   It's not expected that everyone should try to hand in a solution to each problem.  Instead guidance will be provided on the minimal number of problems which should be handed in.  Over the course of the semester, a "B" grade on homework will reflect a competent job on a minimal number of moderately difficult problems.  For an "A" grade on homework, one will, in addition, need to carry out some of the more challenging problems.  Another aspect of homework grading will be oral presentation of solutions.  Towards the end of each chapter we'll spend a day or so going over solutions in class.  Usually there will be a request for volunteers to present problems they've worked out.  However, those who never volunteer can expect to be called upon as the semester develops.

                  It's not only permitted for students to work in teams on homework but very strongly recommended.  However, each student should write up his/hers own solutions without assistance from others and should list at the top of the paper the names of those with whom she/he worked together in coming up with a non-finished solution outline.
     

               On the other hand, collaboration with other students is not allowed on take-home exams.  Nor is consultation with other faculty members or consulting other books.  Evidence suggesting that one or more of these rules has been broken will be sent to the Committee on Academic Integrity.  Should the Committee concur that cheating has taken place, it is very likely that they will order the instructor to enter a failing grade for the course to the student(s) found guilty.
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