CMSC-203 Discrete Math Policy (spring 20010)


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.

From an absolute perspective, grades denote the following performance levels:
A - Can prove theorems, calculate, and count with fluency without help.
B - Can prove prove theorems, calculate, and count quite well with some help.
C - Can make notable progress proving theorems, calculating, and counting with significant help.
D - Can barely prove thorems, calculate, and count with extensive help.
F - No clue what to do, even with extensive help.

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, test of fundamentals, 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.

To pass the course it is also necessary (but not sufficient) to achieve a passing score on the test of fundamentals, which is a a straight-forward test of the most important basic concepts and vocabulary from the course.


Grading Weights

Homework-23%, Exam I-20%, Exam II-20%, Test of Fundamentals-10%, Final Exam-25%, 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.

An automatic extension is always granted for any homework problem (only) that requires skills and material not covered before the due date.


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


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).