READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
dr bob quizzes and tests are not about just getting "the right answer", but also presenting and communicating well the process which leads to the results requested in each part of every problem, as well as your understanding of the course content and its vocabulary. [This is good practice for learning how to communicate technical results to other people in a workplace environment.] Unless specifically requested, no results here may be justified using technology—a reasoned explanation supported by mathematical facts is always required and cannot be substituted by a technology result (except for antiderivatives which cannot be obtained directly or by using a simple u-substitution). [This course is trying to develop some elementary mathematical thinking skills which help you understand why you are seeing what you see in a technology screen.] However, you are encouraged to use Maple (or calculators) to check every result you derive by hand. Email or come talk to me me if you get stuck on any problem or are confused. [For a take home exam, no collaboration is allowed but you may consult your textbook, your notes and my handouts.]
Show all work and answers, including indications of mental steps, on the lined paper provided or your own paper for a take home test. If you copy over work, be sure you include everything. Put your name on each sheet and clearly label continuations of problems from one sheet to another. LABEL and SEPARATE clearly each part of each problem (knowing that a result requested in a specific part of the problem belongs in that part is part of being knowledgeable about what you are reading) and BOX each short final response requested (and nothing else). Cross out abandoned work not to be considered. Do not erase, since you might erase the correct work; keep it in case you change your mind about its validity.
Please write neatly and with a DARK PENCIL or black pen. Since erasing is often counterproductive, you should be crossing out work that you thought was wrong and starting over below, so why not use a black pen? Spread out your work going down the page, not in loops filling up the white space. Write large enough to be clearly legible by older eyes, please.
Use proper mathematical notation: "symbol" = "expression representing symbol" = "...", introducing symbols if necessary. Don't misuse equal signs, and don't write down unidentified expressions, but do link expressions which are equal with EQUAL SIGNS, while using ARROWS or colons to link expressions which are not equal but are related by some step. Give EXACT ANSWERS, not decimal approximations, unless the context warrants it, but first give the exact result in any case. Always SIMPLIFY results. Only use technology to CHECK hand calculations, not subsitute for them, unless specifically requested.
Math is case sensitive: always be consistent with your upper and lower case letters used as symbols. Respect integral sign and matching differential notation PLEASE!
Take home test:
Put all work on other paper and
staple together with the test sheet on top as the cover page.
Optional. If you use (computer) technology to check
your work, you might print out your worksheet with comments, handwritten if necessary,
labeled by problem, and attach it to your test after your hand work.
bob is not a grade policeman and will not attempt lockdown, time pressured assessments. "Cheating" only hurts those who engage in it, both in degrading their moral code and defeating their learning outcomes. No limitations are placed on nonhuman resources that may be consulted during assessment at home (not in-class tests where other resources are not allowed!), but merely copying from some worked problem without understanding what you are doing is not helping you at all. You also have to communicate clearly all steps in the process in precise mathematical notation on paper. No collaboration is allowed. Signing the test pledge puts your own commitment to honesty on the line.
The weekly quizzes are on material for which we have already discussed the homework in class and are graded in half points out of a total of 10 points each. There should be no surprises on quizzes, which are designed to assess a basic understanding of the key ideas following typical homework problems. To avoid stress, these are to be done outside of class over the weekend, with no restrictions what materials you consult except that no collaboration is allowed. These must be your own work. Send me an email if you are confused.These are posted online in BlackBoard and handed out in paper form in class each Friday of normal 4 class day weeks to be turned in Monday during class usually. Email bob if you are not able to meet these deadlines or if you get stuck. These are meant to give you practice in communicating clearly problem solutions in standard math notation.
When you have completed the exam, please read and sign the dr bob integrity pledge and attach it to your answer sheets (staple take home test) as a cover page, first side face up:
"During this examination, all work has been my own. I give my word that I have not resorted to any ethically questionable means of improving my grade or anyone else's on this examination and that I have not discussed this exam with anyone other than my instructor, nor will I until after the exam period is terminated for all participants."
Signature:
Date:
PS. Remember the rules about Academic Integrity.
Does having this statement at the end of the test prevent anyone from violating it? Of course not. But by violating it and signing anyway, an individual sells a little part of their moral integrity for some low level reward (perhaps a slightly higher grade on one single test). In effect that individual is putting a concrete price on their integrity, and their signature is the confirmation of that moral transaction. Unfortunately looking around at the news, too many people have chosen to give up integrity for some self-centered gain. It starts small, may even seem harmless or "justified" to beat the system, but in the end the loss is great, both for the community and the individual.