MIT (Spring 2021) 18.306 Rosales. ======================================================================= Policies regarding homeworks, problem sets, exams, etc. PLEASE READ THEM: ======================================================================= A) COLLABORATION: It is OK to exchange information and collaborate with other students [exchange hints, general ideas, pitfalls to avoid and so on]. This within "reason" -- this is explained in more detail below. For example: "let me see and or copy" your answer is not within reason. *** HOWEVER: The final answer must be written 100% alone, with full *** understanding of every dot there. If you work with a group, it *** is not allowed to copy from a "master group solution." This last policy has two aims: 1 - You will only be sure that you actually understood the problem, and the solution, if you are able to write the answer alone. 2- The grade assigned to a problem solution is an individual grade, not a group grade. ******************* *** FURTHERMORE: *** You are 100% responsible for any answer you supply. I can call you *** at any time to explain your answer. If I am not convinced that you *** understand what you wrote, you will loose credit, up to the whole *** problem set --- or exam, depending on the degree to which you lack *** understanding. ******************* ******************* *** WARNING: *** The collaboration allowed policy above applies ONLY to problem *** sets. For take-home EXAMS (if any), the policy is 100% alone, *** the only allowed consultations being with the Lecturer and TA. ******************* ******************* *** What REASONABLE means. *** Reasonable actions are allowed. Reasonable is defined in terms *** of purpose. For example: An assigned problem is aimed at both: *** (1) Test your knowledge and understanding. *** (2) Provide a means for you to learn new things, and practice *** your knowledge. *** If an action defeats any of these aims, it is not reasonable. *** Searching for the answers somewhere defeats both purposes. Hence *** searching the internet, libraries, bookstores, whatever, for *** answers to the problems is not allowed. *** *** There may be billions of ways in which this policy (reasonable *** actions are allowed) can be defeated. I cannot list them, nor do *** I even know them, but you should be able to judge on your own if *** something violates it. *** At any rate: If in doubt, ASK the instructor. ******************* ======================================================================= B) CLARITY: Your answers must be presented in a way that is easy to read. Type them (12 point) or, if by hand, write clearly, use a LARGE enough font, and HIGH contrast ink or pencil. The lecturer has serious trouble reading stuff that does not follow these simple guidelines. Answers that fail them may NOT be graded, and NO credit will be given. For that matter, graduate student level explanations are expected. For full credit, the arguments must be clear, complete --- and in reasonably good English. As for the level of rigor: Math. proof level is not expected. The same level as in the lectures or notes ("reasonable scientist") is the expectation. ======================================================================= C) Any suggested reading, suggested problems or any other "suggested" are for you alone to do or not do. DO NOT hand in these problems! I recommend that you do as much as possible of this. ======================================================================= D) About COMPUTER ASSIGNMENTS (if any): a) Use any language or computer you like. I recommend that you get the Student Edition of MatLab. b) Include a BRIEF explanation of how the problem was solved. WHAT is the IDEA (a printout of a program is not that useful). c) CONDENSE the results to some COMPREHENSIBLE and CONCISE form: *** Use plots/tables/graphs. Do not show "raw" numerical output. *** Make sure one does not have to hunt for the answers all over the place. They must be EASY to find and identify. Put them at the beginning, for example, and then justify them. e) Include a printout of your program (appended AT THE END). f) Look at your output and make very sure it makes sense! That a program runs does not mean it does so as intended. For example, if you use too large a time step, you will still get output ... which can easily be nonsense! ======================================================================= % EOF