Homework Policy
Policy on Late Homework and Quizzes are given below.
Last modified Aug 24, 2009 6:04 AM
PURPOSE. The homework policy described below is based on the assumptions
that homework assignments are primarily a learning tool, not a
grading tool, and that the purpose of homework is threefold:
- Homework gives you practice in explaining the concepts and
using the techniques you learn in the course;
- Homework allows the instructor to see how you are doing and to try to
correct errors you are making;
- Homework (after being graded) allows you to see the errors you are
making and to correct them.
In particular, your attention to your homework does not end when you turn
in homework paper or complete and online assignment. It should continue
when the work as graded, and your attention then should be given
to what errors you made and how to do the work better.
There may be two kinds of homework. There will be traditional
homework, where you work out problems on paper and turn them in; the
paragraphs which follow explain how this should be done. In addition,
there will be assignments which you do online (WebAssign). See the Course Policy (Word
document) for details on points for written homework, online
homework, and in-class work.
HOW TO TURN IN written homework.
- Homework should be neat and legible; always show your work
or give an explanation unless the answer is truly obvious from the
information given. Enough information should be included with each
problem so that the reader of your paper can see what the problem is
about without referring to the textbook.
- Unless otherwise indicated, assigned written homework is due at
the beginning of class on the date it is due.
Since written homework is due at the
beginning of class, any attempt to change your written homework after
the beginning of class on the day it is due will be considered a
violation of the Code of Academic Integrity.
- Homework (and all other work of more than one page) should be
stapled.
For more details, see Homework
Writing Policy and Homework Format
online.
POINTS. Some or all of the homework problems on each assignment will
be graded, and at the end of the semester, your overall
homework
percentage will be used to determine your homework grade.
The number of points available for each assignment will vary, depending on
how many problems are graded, how important the problems are, and how
difficult the problems are. For a written homework problem, full credit is
usually given only if the problem is both done correctly and done well.
Just “getting the right answer” does not necessarily imply
“full credit”; your solution should be presented efficiently
and in accordance with the guidelines given in the writing and format links
above. (These ideas will be discussed in class.)
Since homework is graded very strictly, some students get discouraged
because they put a lot of work into doing their homework and then don't get
many points for it. The most important thing here is to keep in mind that
the purpose of homework, and the purpose of doing homework, is NOT POINTS.
(See the list above for the purpose of homework.)
The course policy statement for your course states how many points
homework, etc., will contribute to the total possible points you can earn
in the course.
LATE HOMEWORK. Regardless of the reason for
homework being turned in late, ...
- Written homework that is turned in after the beginning of class on
the day it is due will be accepted and corrected at the discretion
of the instructor.
- Late written homework, if accepted, may not be corrected as
promptly as homework turned in on time; in fact, it might not be
corrected at all.
- Late written homework, if accepted, may be corrected but not scored
(i.e., no points assigned).
- Late written homework, if accepted, is subject to a late penalty;
the amount of the penalty will depend on how late the homework is and
how much of the assignment has been discussed in class.
- Late written homework might be lost, since it is not with the rest
of the homework assignment.
- Late written homework may be turned in to the Math Office, Room 108
in the Math Building until about 4:15 in the afternoon. Late
homework should NOT be left at my office when I am not there.
- Homework will not be accepted more than two school days after it is
due. Homework due on the last day of a school week will not be accepted
after the first school day of the following school week.
(A general rule is that written homework which is too late to be graded
with the rest of the homework will not be graded. Homework turned in before
this is, as stated above, accepted and graded at the discretion of the
instructor, and is subject to being lost forever.)
QUIZZES and other in-class work. Quizzes and
other in-class work may be announced in advance or, more usually,
unannounced.
There is no practical way to give a make-up for a missed quiz, so there
will be no make-ups for missed quizzes. This policy applies regardless
of the reason for missing the quiz. If you know in advance that you
will miss a class day (e.g., because of a University approved activity),
let me know in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. As
with homework, the primary purpose of quizzes is NOT to earn points, but to
check your understanding of the material.
Make-up exam policy
Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the instructor.
Students who have to miss an exam for a valid reason should notify the
instructor before exam time if at all possible, and, if a make-up
exam is appropriate, should arrange to take a make-up exam as soon as
possible after the scheduled time of the exam. Since students taking a
make-up exam have the advantage of additional time to prepare, the make-up
exam may be somewhat more difficult than the original exam.
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Last modified Aug 24, 2009 6:04 AM