The only way to learn this kind of mathematics is by doing it. The homework is very important. I try to select representative problems without overburdening you, but you must budget your time to work on most of these even when you have other deadlines to meet.(When under excessive time pressure at least do some key problems when they are assigned. Finish the rest as soon as you can.) Typically we begin each class looking at a few of the assigned problems. This is your opportunity to get questions answered. (But watching me do the problems and copying down what you can will not substitute for your doing the same problems from scratch on your own. Like two people driving in a car, the one in the driver's seat has much more probability of remembering how to repeat a trip than the person in the passenger's seat. Think about it from your own experience.)
Keep a notebook or looseleaf binder or something in which to record your worked homework problems. Homework will not usually be collected. [Its goal is for you to learn by doing, not deliver a product by a deadline.] Bring your notebook/binder/something to office hour when seeking help. Not doing homework will have a snowball effect in derailing your understanding in the course.
Certain textbook homework problems will be marked for MAPLE calculation by an asterisk, usually with instructions if needed. Common MAPLE assignments will be collected on diskettes done in groups of 2 or 3 and count as 10 percent of grade (and graded 0: unsatisfactory, 1: mostly okay but incomplete, 2: acceptable). Put your name on your diskette and keep a backup diskette (your partners can serve this function if everyone keeps a copy of their joint work). Only 1 diskette per group should be turned in when requested. These are not usually difficult, and I am always ready to help you overcome any difficulties that you have with the MAPLE software.
Before doing the homework, read the corresponding section of the textbook carefully. Some assigned homework problems may refer to examples or material for which there is not enough class time to discuss. Reading will also reinforce what you have heard and perhaps clarify some of the things that may not have been clear to you in class. Then only by actually working problems, referring back to your notes or the text interactively, will you know if you are acquiring control of the ideas. Learning mathematics is a digestive process that does not happen just by a single exposure to new material.
It is also a good idea to form partnerships in the class for doing homework together. The Math Learning and Resource Center (MLRC), even without tutors on duty, is a good place to meet to work together, or CEER rooms for this purpose. [MLRC: M-Th 2:30-5:00, S-Th 6:30-9:00, tel:519-5193]
Absences: Notify me in advance (if possible) in person or by phone/voice-/e-mail. If not possible to anticipate an absence, call/e-mail the same day if possible and explain in person at the next available occasion. No valid excuse means 0 (zero). If your excuse is valid a makeup test will be arranged.
Freshman note mandatory class attendence rule [excuse note required from VPAA office]. All students: excessive absence coupled with poor performance will result in a grade penalty. All students are held responsible for all class material, including handouts that are distributed.
A short almost weekly quiz will monitor your understanding of the homework and class material. Only book sections for which the homework has been discussed in class (since the previous quiz) can appear on a given quiz. Lowest quiz grade dropped. No quiz during a test week.
3 hour tests plus final exam. Lowest of first two test grades dropped.
A formula like
.10 (quiz/hw\ avg) + .10 (MAPLE\ hw/proj\ avg) + .50 (test\ avg) + .30 (final\ exam)
will be used to compute your raw number grade which has only a relative significance. (I may weigh the final less depending on the circumstances.) Letter grades will be assigned in as intelligent a fashion as possible, based on an impression of absolute and relative performance. Individual student progress (and decline!) is also weighed by hand, with some emphasis on the cumulative final examination to measure some mastery of the whole course content.
Try to be conservative in taking notes so that you are able to think about the discussion as you are writing and not just be obsessed with copying everything down. Try to understand roughly what I say as I say it, and ask a question or slow me up if you are confused. Communicate with me, during class and after class. Tell me what is unclear.
Remember: mechanical calculations can be done by machines; you need to learn the ideas to think for the machines in applying them.