As the instructor for the course, I will be courteous and respectful toward you. I will take a real interest in your progress - your failure is also our failure.
There are some rules, procedures, and expectations that apply to this class.
You can expect me to:
Keep to the schedule posted on this site, to the best of my ability.
Stick to to the testing and grading policy posted on this site, unless there is a consensus from an overwhelming majority of the class that a change would be productive.
Be present in class, unless a necessary absence – such as illness – occurs, in which case I will make every attempt for a substitute instructor to be present.
Make my best effort to explain the material to you as clearly as I can.
Give you appropriate exercises to help you learn the material.
Assess you by giving feedback on how you are doing, and where you could make improvements, and how.
To have all assignments and tests returned, with comments, in a timely manner.
If I feel you are persistently off-task in a class I may ask you to leave for the duration of that class. Do not take this personally.
Bear in mind that, the instructor has the welfare of the entire class in mind and sometimes deems it necessary for someone to leave the class for that period because their behavior is disruptive. Just suck it up and don’t complain.
If I make a mistake of any sort please tell me. You can expect me to both rectify it and to apologize.
I expect you to:
Be in class. Three (3) unexplained absences may lead to a grade of F without any further discussion. Being asked to leave the class does not constitute an unexplained absence (I know why you are not there: I asked you to leave.)
Be on time. Persistent lateness may lead to a grade of F. You will be told by the instructor if you are late, and if you are persistently late and so in danger of failing.
Be on-task in class. Examples of being off-task include, but are not limited to: surfing the web for material unrelated to the class activity; talking on a cell phone; persistent talking about matters not relevant to the class activity; falling asleep.
Here’s the science of why so-called multi-tasking does not work in mathematics class: Multitasking works? Not really, Stanford study shows.
Please do not, when you are aware of it, talk over someone who is presenting. Most commonly this will be the instructor or TA, but on occasion will be other students. Please show courtesy and listen while someone is speaking.
You must not cheat, or take other people’s works without appropriate acknowledgment. The University has guidelines on plagiarism, which are posted on this site. This is not High School, and the penalties for cheating or plagiarism can be very severe – including being expelled from the University (your mom will faint if this happens). If you cheat or plagiarize, chances are you will be caught out.
So do not copy other people’s work and pass it off as your own. If you feel the urge to do this because you are falling behind, and you are focusing on grades instead of on learning, come and talk with me.
Get assignments in on time. Do not be slow about it.
If you are feeling like crap because of … (well, you’ll have a reason) please let us know about it so we can excuse you from class.
If you are a boy or girl genius we are thrilled to have you in class, but please do not take every opportunity to tell us, and everyone else, how wonderful you are.
Have fun in class. Stop fretting over grades. Focus instead on your learning. Enjoy the experience.