Homework
There are two media for homework in Calculus III.
There will be frequent online assignments administered through the online homework software WebAssign, which is a required course material. WebAssign problems are computational in nature and assess the techniques introduced in class. Many of these problems will resemble examples in the textbook or from class. You will get immediate feedback on your progress and will get five chances to ensure it. WebAssign is accessed directly through the course’s NYU Classes website.
There will also be problems to write up on paper each week and turn in. These problems will require more than just procedure, might connect two or more things together, and will more closely resemble the harder examination problems.
One of the major goals of college-level mathematics education is to move students from computational processes to conceptual thinking and communication. That is the biggest difference between this course and a high school course, even an Advanced Placement course. Mathematics is more than a bag of tricks and there are not a limited number of “types” of problems that can be asked. The goal in class is to prepare you to do the homework and not necessarily to show you how to do your homework. The learning occurs when you can move yourself into the unknown territory.
You may by all means work in groups on the homework assignments. Collaboration is a big part of learning and of scholarship in general. However, each student must turn in their own write-up of the solutions, with an acknowledgment of collaborators.
There is free mathematics tutoring sponsored by the Department of Mathematics, meeting in room 524 of Warren Weaver Hall. Check the signs posted throughout Warren Weaver Hall and the tutoring web page.
Grading of Written Homework
Undergraduate graders will grade the written homework promptly. Graders will be expecting you to express your ideas clearly, legibly, and completely, often requiring complete English sentences rather than merely just a long string of equations or unconnected mathematical expressions. This means that you could lose points for unexplained answers. See the examples in the textbook for examples of how to write up solutions to a problem well. Some examination problems will also ask for justifications, so this will be good practice.
In fairness to fellow students and to graders, late homework will generally not be accepted. Because sometimes things more important than mathematics homework come up, you have some free passes: your lowest problem set score will be dropped in the final grade calculation.
Grading of WebAssign Homework
As with any assessment software for which answers in multiple formats are possible, answers which are essentially correct may occasionally be graded as incorrect due to format issues. In order to take this into account in a way that minimizes inconvenience, the lowest five WebAssign scores will be dropped in the final grade calculation. Please do not further contact your instructor to fix scores for WebAssign assignments where answers that are essentially correct are graded as incorrect due to format issues.
Examinations
During the semester, there will be two midterm examinations in class.
The final examination for all New York campus sections of Calculus will take place on Thursday, December 17, 2020, tentatively at 10:00–11:50 am.
The final examination for all Shanghai Go Local sections of Calculus will take place between Thursday, December 17, 2020 to Tuesday, December 22, date & time TBA.
Examinations will contain a mixture of computational and conceptual problems. Some of them will resemble homework problems, while some will be brand new to you. The final examination is likely to be a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response problems.
Quizzes
Consult your instructor and/or your section’s NYU Classes page for the specifics of your quiz policy.
Policy on Out-of-sequence Examinations and Missed Quizzes
We are only able to accommodate a limited number of out-of-sequence examinations due to limited availability of rooms and proctors. For this reason, we may approve out-of-sequence examinations in the following cases:
- A documented medical excuse.
- A University-sponsored event such as an athletic tournament, a play, or a musical performance. Athletic practices and rehearsals do not fall into this category. Please have your coach, conductor, or other faculty adviser contact your instructor.
- A religious holiday.
- Extreme hardship such as a family emergency.
We will not be able to accommodate out-of-sequence examinations and quizzes for purposes of more convenient travel, including already purchased tickets. Please note again the date of the final and plan your travel accordingly.
Scheduled out-of-sequence examinations and quizzes (those not arising from emergencies) should be taken before the actual examination. Makeups should occur within one week of the regularly scheduled examination or quiz, otherwise a score of zero will be given.
If you require additional accommodations as determined by the Moses Center for Student Accessibility, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.
Exceptions
Your lowest written homework score and lowest five WebAssign scores will be dropped when computing your average for the final grade. This means you can take a “free spin” for any reason you want, be it time to spend on another class, a family emergency, or an unusually packed social calendar. In fairness to the graders and other students, late homework will not be accepted.