Grading Scheme

Grade components:
Students are expected to complete and submit all assigned coursework in good faith; those who fail to do so will earn a failing grade, regardless of overall numerical score. Cut-offs for final letter grades D, C, B, A are, respectively, 35, 55, 70, and 85. Actual grades may be higher; these cut-offs provide lower bounds.

component % of grade
class participation & exercises 10
homeworks 20
two quizzes 20
two midterm exams 30
final exam 20
Attendance:
Attending class is required. Each student is granted three penalty-free absences for the semester, no questions asked. Beyond those three, each absence results in a loss of one overall grade percentage point. Absences for valid reasons (e.g., medical, family, religious, academic, athletic) may be excused only if a request is made very soon after the circumstances are known.
Class participation:
Students are expected to contribute to learning by asking questions and making relevant comments in class and participating in the specified online components of the class. Quality is more important than quantity. Disruptive activity contributes negatively. See policies below.
Classroom exercises:
Our work in the classroom may include some short individual and/or group exercises, meant to solidify understanding of the concepts being discussed. The exercises will be graded primarily for effort, group work, and other contributions, and less so for simple correctness.
Homeworks:
Homeworks may include programming and non-programming components. No collaboration is permitted. Everyone is encouraged to discuss the problems and solution strategies at a high level, but the final solution and details must be individual work. If the boundary between permissible and non-permissible interactions is unclear, please ask for clarifications.
Exams and quizzes:
All exams and quizzes are closed book; books, notes, or other such materials are not permitted. The use of computers and similar devices (tablets, phones, etc.) during exams is also not allowed. However, each student is permitted to bring a single standard Letter-sized sheet of paper that has notes that they have hand-written themselves. Both sides of this sheet may be used. If used, such notes must be submitted with the completed exam. Not doing so is considered academic dishonesty. Communications of any sort (electronic or other) are not allowed, except for communication between a student and the exam proctor.