Homework Guidelines

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The following are some guidelines for homework assignments:

· Turn in your best work on time (if you can't attend a class arrange for a classmate to turn in your work, put it in my mailbox before class, or email it!).

· Write clearly and neatly. If you use more than one piece of paper, staple them together. If you use paper from a spiral notebook, cut off the ragged edges.

· Clearly label each problem and provide complete solutions to problems, including explanatory text. Answers without work get no credit.

· Write in complete sentences, using correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Write up the solutions so that a student in a different section can understand them. Don't use haphazard presentations to cover up disorganized thinking!

· Give a complete verbal interpretation of the solution of verbal problems.

· Some of your solutions may need to be rewritten. Many times the process of solving a problem is quite messy and disorganized. The process of organizing your solution will help strengthen your understanding.

· Use diagrams and graphs (use a straight edge or ruler), when appropriate. Use graph paper and label all your graphs. Graphs must be neat, accurate, and clearly labeled.

· At the bottom of your homework, write a statement acknowledging any people who discussed any part of the homework with you (including tutors, peers, professors, etc.).

· Homework is due when class starts. Start your homework ahead of time so that you have the opportunity to ask questions before it is due.

Some suggestions:

· Give yourself plenty of time! Attempt the homework after reading the section, and finish it after the section is discussed in class.

· If you do not know where to start on a problem, discuss it with other students, come by office hours, or send me email!

· I encourage you to work with other students to complete the homework:

* Do the assigned reading and homework before you meet with your group.

* Discuss the homework problems with your group until everyone agrees on a solution and understands it. Often there are different ways to approach a problem. Working in a group you get the added benefit of experiencing other students' approaches.

* Write up your homework solutions on your own. Your explanations should be in your own words.

* Follow the academic integrity policy: Cheating and Plagiarism are serious offenses and will be treated severely (see http://sa.sandiego.edu/studentcode.html#rulesofconduct).

Although I encourage you to work with others, the work you turn in should be your own. Always cite your sources and your collaborators.

Reading your textbook. You are expected to read your textbook carefully. Daily reading assignments will be posted on the web along with problems. You should read your text with pencil in hand---if you are not writing while you read mathematics, you are not reading mathematics!

Here are a few strategies to help make the time you spend reading your textbook fruitful.

• Try out the examples before reading the presented solutions.
• Look for examples that go along with new definitions you encounter.
• Look for non-examples that go along with new definitions you encounter. Ask yourself why your non-example violates one or more parts of the definition.
• Commit important definitions to memory---this is a real time-saver as well as a good habit!

Late homework will only be accepted if accompanied by your “late homework voucher” up to one class-time after it is due.

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Comments: pmyers@sandiego.edu