Grades

• For each module in Canvas (learning modules will be organized according to specific sections of the textbook), I will assign problem sets. 

• I expect there to be 11 Problem Sets throughout the term.

• You may work with others (in this course or otherwise) and you may discuss them with me in office hours. You may look up ideas in the textbook or on the internet. However, you must write up your own solutions to problems / write up your own proofs.

• You will gather your best, final drafts of proofs / problem solutions in a portfolio.

• Every other Monday (see the Course Schedule), we will have a portfolio check. You will turn in your portfolio and indicate TWO problem sets which I should assess. I will only assess TWO problem sets per portfolio check.

• A problem set (as a whole) will receive one of the two following "grades": PASS or NOT YET.

• If you receive a grade of PASS on a problem set, then you will have certainly shown evidence of learning on at least one (but probably several) of the 5 BIG LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• If you receive a grade of NOT YET, then you will be allowed to incorporate my written (and/or verbal) feedback and revise and resubmit your problem set at a future portfolio check.

• However, recall that I will only ever assess TWO problem sets per portfolio check. So, at any given portfolio check, you could ask me to assess

  • two brand new problem sets (not previously assessed in any way)

  • one brand new problem set, and one revised problem set (for which you previously received a grade of NOT YET)

  • two revised problem sets (for which you previously received grades of NOT YET)

Each Canvas module will also have a collection of possible Presentation Problems. For these, you will prepare solutions / proofs ahead of class. On problem presentation days, I will ask for volunteers for certain problems from the list. If you have a solution prepared, you can present it to the class! 

• A successful presentation will certainly demonstrate evidence of learning on at least one (but probably more) of the 5 BIG LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

• A "successful" presentation means:

  • Your proof / solution is correct

  • All questions / critiques from the class have been adequately answered

• If a presentation is unsuccessful, the presenter will have the opportunity to revise their presentation and try again during the next class period.

Presentation problems can automatically be included in a corresponding Problem Set (i.e., those assessed with portfolio checks), so it behooves the entire class to ask the presenter good challenging questions to make sure that the whole class understands the solution / proof! Moreover, it behooves the class to give helpful hints and constructive criticism to the presenter so that they eventually arrive at a successful presentation (hence, everyone will at least have an outline of how to write up their own solution in the problem set).

Definitions quizzes will be given at least every other week. Each definition quiz will ask you to give precise mathematical definitions of importance in the course. Further, you will be asked to give examples and non-examples that satisfy or violate the definitions. 

Definition quizzes will be given a grade of PASS or NOT YET, but will not be reassessed.

The definition quizzes are a direct way to demonstrate mastery of BIG LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2.

As described above, final grades will be derived by a cooperative conference between the student and the instructor. However, the instructor has final say in assignment of the final letter grade.

As a benchmark, I will expect students with a final grade of A to have at least met the following targets:

• A grade of PASS on at least 75% of problem sets

• At least one successful Problem Presentation

• A grade of PASS on at least 85% of definition quizzes