Handout

Discussion sections and quizzes: The discussion sections are conducted by the teaching assistants, and are an integral part of the course. They provide an opportunity to have your questions answered on a more personal basis and at greater length than is possible in the lecture. Several times during the quarter, the last 20 minutes of the section will be devoted to a quiz, which will be based on the material covered through the next to last lecture. The quiz will not be announced. Usually, the quiz problems will be taken from the exercises at the end of the relevant sections (whether or not they have been assigned for homework). In the first discussion section, any time left after answering questions on the material from the first lecture (or first two lectures) will be devoted to a discussion of some of the material in Chapter 12. This chapter was not covered in Math 3B; it is a presentation in greater depth of material usually covered in algebra courses in high school. It would be a good idea to review it before beginning Chapter 13.

Homework: It is practically impossible to learn mathematics without doing a lot of problems. Therefore, it is extremely important that you do the assigned problems carefully and promptly. Don't get behind! I will assign homework in each lecture, usually from the odd numbered problems, so that you can check your answers in the back of the book. You can ask questions about the problems and other material in discussion section, or in the office hours of the TAs or instructor. The homework will be collected in discussion section. In each discussion section beginning with the second week, the homework due is that assigned up to the next to last lecture (and which has not yet been turned in). The homework will not be graded in detail -- it will be spot checked to make sure it is being done. One of the purposes of the quizzes is to check that you are doing the homework, and doing it well.

Examinations: There will be two midterms (on April 25 covering Chapters 13 and 14, and on May 16, covering Chapter 16), and a final exam (on June 11, 11:30--2:30, covering the entire quarter).

Grading: The final grade will be based on the the exams, quizzes and homework with the following weights: Final (40%), Midterms (20% each) and homework and quizzes (a total of 20%). The bottom quiz score will be dropped before determining the homework/quiz grade. There will be no makeup midterm exams. If an emergency makes it impossible for you to take a midterm, you should speak with me as early as possible.