Weekly Homework Policy

Completing homework assignments is an integral part of this course. Problems are designed to reinforce concepts covered in lecture as well as to encourage students to explore implications of the results discussed in class. Very few students will be able to go through the entire course without struggling on many problems, so do not be discouraged if you do not immediately know how to solve a problem. In confronting difficult questions you should consider how the problem at hand connects to topics, definitions and/or theorems discussed in class.

When you have worked on a problem for a while and remain stuck, you are encouraged to ask for hints from your instructor or TA. Students may also discuss problems with one another, but must write solutions on their own. In particular if you have taken notes while discussing homework problems with friends or instructors, you must put these notes away when writing your solution. The Honor Code applies to this and all other written aspects of the course. Be warned: watching someone else solve a problem will not make homework a good preparation for tests. Don't get caught in the trap of relying on others to get through homework assignments.

Students are expected to take care in writing their assignments. For instance,

Partial progress toward solutions on problems will be awarded partial credit, but simply writing answers down without justification will receive zero credit. Please note that usually only a portion of each week's problems will be scored (and the selection of problems chosen to be graded will not be announced in advance); as a result, be sure to look over the posted solutions to check your ungraded problems when your paper is returned.