Homework will be due once a week on Wenesdays, and will include both reading and exercises. Exercises labelled HI (for "Hand In") should be written up and handed in on the due date. Sometimes there will be exercises labelled W (For "Work") which you should think through, but don't have to hand in.
Exercises that aren't assigned you should at least read, because some facts you will need later are presented in exercises. In some cases, it may be a good idea to do, or at least work on, an (unassigned) exercise because it will make you more comfortable with the material.
I expect you to discuss problems with each other and me: Most people learn math better (and do better math research!) when they discuss their thinking with others. Discussing the problems and ideas for solving them will improve your understanding of what the questions ask and what is required to answer them. That said, you should use this resource (and all resources) intelligently: Think seriously about the problems before talking about them with others, and write up the solutions by yourself in your own words after discussion. I recommend that you do not look at anyone's complete written solution before turning in the homework. I should not see evidence in the homework that you are going beyond discussing the problems to studying someone else's written solutions. This includes both any other student's solutions and solutions on the web or in other books.
If you get an idea from talking with someone, or from looking at a book other than our text or at a website, it is a matter of intellectual integrity to acknowledge the source. I don't expect or want formal footnotes, just a comment that "[name of other student] and I did this solution together," or "I got this idea from [person; website address; or author, title, page numbers or chapter]." Acknowledging your sources will never count against you. You don't have to acknowledge every idea from general class discussion, the text, or previous homework, but often a reference to a specific class worksheet, a page in the book, or a specific exercise will make your reasoning easier to follow.
Homework should be turned in at class on the due date. Work received by me one or two days after the due date will be docked 20%; ususally work will not be accepted more than two days late. (Note: a paper placed in my mailbox or under my door after I leave campus for the day will be received by me when I return to campus.) Exceptions sometimes may be arranged by discussing your situation with me in advance of the due date. In the event of severe hardship (such as serious illness or injury), please email or talk to me as soon as possible about what adjustments we need to make.
Homework will be a major part (40%) of your grade. I will be grading your work for clarity of exposition as well correctness of arguments. (Of course, often these are intertwined!) Your point total for each assignment will be converted to a percentage, the lowest score dropped, and the average of the rest will deteremine your homework grade. My initial guess is that for the whole quarter, I will use a scale of about 90% = 4.0, 80% = 3.0, etc. This scale may be adjusted slightly to be more generous. That is, your homework grade will be at least as good as this initial scale indicates.
Extra Credit. Extra credit exercises must be both correct and clearly explained to receive credit. All extra credit will be recorded separately and considered in making final adjustments to your grade; two extra credits will raise your final grade by 0.1, with a maximum extra credit adjustment of 0.3.
Assignments page.
Math 480A Homepage.
Most recently updated on February 25, 2016.