CMPS/MATH 2170 Discrete Mathematics
Fall 20
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Policies

Class Schedule:

The class schedule shows the topics that are covered in the lectures and labs each day, as well as due dates for readings and homeworks. Readings cover material that was presented in the lectures and also include some additional material for self-study in order to make up for at least 15 minutes of traditional lecture class time per week.

Zybook and Readings:

We are using a Zybook textbook. Please subscribe/enroll in it by clicking on "Zybook" from the Canvas course shell. (A subscription is $58 and will last until Dec 29, 2020.) After every class there will be a reading assignment that has to be completed by 11:59pm before the next class. These readings consist of reading Zybook sections and completing the associated activities in Zybook. In order to receive points for Zybook readings, please access Zybook via the reading assignments in Canvas and make sure to submit the assignment to Canvas. For calculating the total reading score the first three missed readings will be dropped.

Teams:

We will use Microsoft Teams to interact throughout the semester. All messaging will take place in Teams. Please go to teams.microsoft.com (or use the Teams app; as part of Office 365), log in with your Tulane credentials, and look for the Discrete Math team. You will need to access Teams in the lectures and the labs, using any device that can connect to Teams (phone, tablet, laptop). Please bring such a device to class. We will use teams to conduct polls and to post and answer questions.

Miro:

We will use a Miro collaborative whiteboard to interact throughout the semester.

Lectures:

You can participate in the lectures in person in the classroom AT 210 or remotely via the Zoom room accessible from Canvas.

Labs:

Participation in the lab is in-person in Norman Mayer 200B. The purpose of the lab is to go over practice problems, which is important for preparing the weekly homework assignment. The lab will also have participation polls.

Participation Polls:

During the lectures and the labs we will use Teams to conduct participation polls. Please make sure to bring a device to class with which you can connect to Teams (phone, tablet, laptop). The results of the participation polls will be part of the grade and will thus indirectly measure attendance.

The total participation score will be calculated as the sum of the individual scores divided by N-k, where N is the total points possible and k=80. This roughly corresponds to dropping three to four participation scores. The final score will be capped at 100%.

Zoom Recordings:

All lectures and labs will be recorded via Zoom, and recordings will be accessible through Canvas.

Homework Assignments:

There will be thirteen homework assignments each worth 25 points which are due within one week. Homeworks will consist of written problems only.

You are strongly encouraged to submit homeworks in groups of two; discussing problems and collaborating with a group partner is highly beneficial for learning. Each group should turn in a single homework submission with two names. In addition, you are allowed to discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a homework assignment with your other classmates, but you have to write up your solution on your own (with your group partner). You are not allowed to read, copy, or rewrite the solutions written by others (in this or previous terms or from the web). See the section on Academic Integrity.

Homeworks will be posted on Teams and have to be submitted electronically as a pdf on Gradescope. Homework grades will be available on Gradescope and Canvas. Review of the grading of a homework must be requested within 2 weeks after the graded homework is returned to you. Be aware that such a review will consider the homework as a whole, and as a result your grade is just as likely to go down as it is to go up.

The total homework score will be calculated as the sum of the individual scores divided by N-k, where N is the total points possible and k=25. This roughly corresponds to dropping one homework assignment. The final score will be capped at 100%.

Project:

There will be one class project, which will be a group project that requires a report and a presentation/video. It will be assigned later in the semester, and there will be several milestones, culminating in a presentation at the end of the semester or during the final exam period.

Late Policy:

Without prior arrangements, missed readings, homework assignments, and project milestones result in a grade of zero. In extra-ordinary cases, contact the instructor prior to the due date to get an extension. If you miss the deadline for a reading, you are strongly encouraged to still complete the reading in order to make up the material you have missed.

Grading:

Grading will be based on the following weighted scale:
The weighted average will determine your letter grade roughly as follows:
A >= 92%; A- >=90%; B+ >= 88%; B >= 82%; B- >=80%; C+ >= 78%; C >= 72%; C- >=70%; D+ >=68%; D >= 62%; D- >= 60%; F < 60%

Slides, Pictures:

Any slides, board pictures, or other additional class material will be made available on Teams.

Academic Integrity:

You are strongly encouraged to turn in homeworks in groups of two. In addition, you are allowed to discuss rough ideas and thoughts about a homework assignment with your other classmates, but you have to write up your solution on your own (with your group partner).

You are not allowed to read, copy, or rewrite the solutions written by others (in this or previous terms or from the web).

You are required to adhere to the Code of Academic Conduct. Every cheating will be reported to the Associate Dean of Newcomb-Tulane College. If two people are caught sharing solutions then both the copier and copiee will be held equally responsible.

Last modified by Carola Wenk,   cwenk  -at-   tulane  -dot-   edu,