(0) "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool".
(1) Weights: In-class assignments (ICA) 30%, Midterm 30%; Final 40%.
(2) Letter grades: AA (100-90), BA (89-85), BB (84-80), CB (79-75), CC(74-70), DC (69-65), DD(64-60), FD(59-50), FF (49-0)
(3) Exams: All examinations will be conducted face-to-face. No online exams will be provided or arranged for individual students or groups upon request.
(4) Make-up Policy: A student may request a make-up for only one missed exam (midterm or final). A valid medical report, issued or approved by the METU Medical Center, is required for eligibility. The make-up exam covers the entire course content, and its grade fully replaces the missed exam grade. No make-ups are offered for in-class assignments; however, the lowest in-class assignment score will be dropped when calculating the average for all students.
(5) Attendance: According to the Middle East Technical University Rules and Regulations Governing Undergraduate Studies, Article 23 (1): “Students must attend theoretical and practical class hours, examinations, and other academic studies as required by the instructors.” 100% attendance is mandatory for a passing letter grade for all students without exception.
(6) Announcements: The primary communication channel for the course is lecture hours. Email inquiries about announcements made in class will not be answered. When necessary, some announcements will be posted on ODTÜClass. It is the student’s responsibility to follow all announcements. In rare cases, group emails may be sent; students must check their email accounts regularly.
(7) Regrade Requests: Regrade requests are permitted and encouraged but must follow a strict procedure. All requests must be submitted through Gradescope; no email requests will be considered. The regrade window will remain open for 24 hours after the announcement of exam results. Requests submitted afterward will not be accepted. Requests must be written in respectful and formal English; otherwise, they will not be considered. If you feel your concern has not been addressed fully, you may contact the instructor or TA in person, but only if you first submitted a Gradescope request within the 24-hour window. In-person reviews apply to the entire exam, not just specific questions, and your score may increase, decrease, or remain the same.
(8) Solutions: Official solutions or correct answers to exams and assignments will not be provided. However, all questions will be based on the course textbook and class discussions, which are supplemented with weekly lecture notes and videos. You are encouraged to discuss problems and course material with your classmates, the TA, and the instructor. Suggested problems will be given in the lectures, but exams and assignments may include other questions.
(9) Email Policy: Due to frequent misuse, email queries cannot be answered in a timely manner. Policy-related questions will be clarified during lecture hours and, when necessary, posted on ODTÜClass. Emails asking questions that are (i) already addressed in the syllabus, (ii) posted in ODTÜClass announcements, or (iii) explained during class will not receive a response.
(10) Mobile phones are strictly prohibited upon entering the classroom except when taking the attendance. Tablets may be used for note-taking only if set to airplane mode. For certain in-class assignments, students may be permitted to use the textbook or lecture notes in paper form; all electronic devices are categorically prohibited in every exam and in all in-class assignments.