Grading
Course grades will be based upon exams (500 points total), four homework assignments (240 points total), and Discussion Topics (160 points), and an Advanced Topics Project (100 points). Grading scheme: A: 900-1000 points; B: 800-900 points; C: 700-800 points; D: 600-700 points; E: below 600 points; + and - grades assigned in the usual way. I have set up a Course Gradebook using the new Illinois Compass Gradebook system (http://compass.uiuc.edu). You will need your NetID and Password to log in. You will be able to view your grades for all graded material through this system.

Exams
There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS. If you have an unavoidable medical or personal emergency that prevents you from taking an exam, and you have an an excused absence letter from the Dean of Students Office, your exam grade will be based on the total grade from other exams. You must notify the professor before the scheduled start time of the exam and be prepared to fully document your absence.

Exams will cover lecture material, assigned readings, and material covered in homework and recommended problems. Format of exams will be a combination of true/false, definitions, short answer, and problem solving. Calculators may be used only to perform calculations. Storing formulae or notes in a calculator is a violation of course policy.

The final exam will be comprehensive and will take place from 8:00-11:00 AM, Friday, December 13 in Burrill 140 and an addition to-be-named classroom.

Homework Assignments
Assignments will be posted on the course web page. Two of the assignments will use the Quizzler system. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. Each homework assignment covers several weeks of material. You should work on this assignment every week, not just the week before it is due. Because these are long-term assignments, no extensions will be granted. You may seek advice and help from other students in the class, but the work you submit must be your own. Many homework problems will involve simulations or derivations, and it will be very easy to tell if students simply copied one another’s work.

Class participation
You are expected to participate in class discussions. Asking and answering questions in class will help you learn the material. It will also help me to gauge which topics need clarification, and which topics are well understood. The only way I can know what you understand and what you don't understand is if you tell me!

Class Policies
We will do my best to grade all exams and homework fairly and accurately. However, occasional mistakes are unavoidable. Any request for regarding must be typewritten, and must fully explain and justify the request (complete sentences, please). Only exams and homework completed in non-erasable ink will be eligible for re-grading. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. The Code of policies and regulations for all students will be applied in instances of academic misconduct.