Assessment

Homework

There are two media for homework in Calculus III.

There will be frequent on-line assignments administered through the on-line homework software WebAssign, which is a required course material. WebAssign problems are computational in nature and assess the techniques introduced in class. Many of these problems will resemble examples in the textbook or from class. You will get immediate feedback on your progress and will get several chances to ensure it. WebAssign is accessed directly through the course's NYU Classes website.

There will also be problems to write up on paper each week and turn in. These problems will require more than just procedure, might connect two or more things together, and will more closely resemble the harder exam problems.

One of the major goals of college-level mathematics education is to move students from computational processes to conceptual thinking and communication. That is the biggest difference between this course and a high school course, even an Advanced Placement course. Mathematics is more than a bag of tricks and there are not a limited number of "types" of problems that can be asked. The goal in class is to prepare you to do the homework and not necessarily to show you how to do your homework. The learning occurs when you can move yourself into the unknown territory.

Graders will grade the written homework promptly. Graders will be expecting you to express your ideas clearly, legibly, and completely, often requiring complete English sentences rather than merely just a long string of equations or unconnected mathematical expressions. This means you could lose points for unexplained answers.

In fairness to fellow students and to graders, late homework will generally not be accepted. Because sometimes things more important than math homework come up, you have some free passes: Your lowest problem set score will be dropped in the final grade calculation.

By all means you may work in groups on the homework assignments. Collaboration is a big part of learning and of scholarship in general. However, each student must turn in his or her own write-up of the solutions, with an acknowledgment of collaborators.

There is free math tutoring sponsored by the math department, meeting in room 524 of Warren Weaver Hall. Check the signs posted throughout Warren Weaver Hall and the tutoring web page.

Grading of Written Homework

One of the goals of this course is for you to learn how to think and communicate mathematically. This means that your homework problems should be written up with justification and explanations of your steps in English. See the examples in the textbook for examples of how to write up solutions to a problem well.

Some exam problems will also ask for justifications, so this will be good practice.

Exams

During the semester there will be two midterm exams in class.

The final exam for all sections of Calculus will be Thursday, May 10th, at 2:00 PM.

Exams will contain a mixture of computational and conceptual problems. Some of them will resemble homework problems, while some will be brand new to you. The final exam is likely to be a mixture of multiple choice and free response problems.

Quizzes

Consult your instructor and/or your section's NYU Classes page for the specifics of your quiz policy.

Policy on out-of-sequence exams and missed quizzes

We are only able to accommodate a limited number of out-of-sequence exams due to limited availability of rooms and proctors. For this reason, we may approve out-of-sequence exams in the following cases:

  1. A documented medical excuse.
  2. A University sponsored event such as an athletic tournament, a play, or a musical performance. Athletic practices and rehearsals do not fall into this category. Please have your coach, conductor, or other faculty advisor contact your instructor.
  3. A religious holiday.
  4. Extreme hardship such as a family emergency.

We will not be able to accommodate out-of-sequence exams, quizzes, and finals for purposes of more convenient travel, including already purchased tickets. Please note again the date of the final and plan your travel accordingly.

Scheduled out-of-sequence exams and quizzes (those not arising from emergencies) must be taken before the actual exam. Makeups must occur within one week of the regularly scheduled exam or quiz, otherwise a zero score will be given.

If you require additional accommodations as determined by the Center for Student Disabilities, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.

Exceptions

Your lowest homework score will be dropped when computing your average for the final grade. This means you can take a "free spin" for any reason you want, be it time to spend on another class, a family emergency, or an unusually packed social calendar. In fairness to the graders and other students, late homework will not be accepted.