CPS296.1 Fall 2004: Course Mechanics

• Homework: There will be between four and six homework assignments depending on class feedback.
• Late-homework penalty: There is a 20% grade penalty per late business day on homework, and no credit will be given for homework handed in after five business days from the deadline.
• Collaboration: Discussions of homework material are encouraged; however, you are expected to write your own solutions. If you collaborate with other people, you must write a note on your homework stating which information you have obtained from others. Textual copying is not allowed. There is no penalty for collaboration declared in this way. Anything else will be considered cheating. Good grades on homework and poor grades on the exams are likely to lead to a failing grade for the class.
• Programming: The homework assignments sometimes include modest amounts of programming in MATLAB. Programming in other languages is allowed; however, we do not provide any support if you choose not to use MATLAB on Duke machines. If you want to use your own copy of Matlab at home, you may want to purchase the student edition. However, this is by no means required, since MATLAB runs on machines that you will have access to. Knowing the basics of MATLAB is a prerequisite. However, don't despair if you don't know it. You can learn this language in about an hour of work, using its extensive Help facilities.
• Exams: There is one midterm and one final exam. The final focuses on the materials covered after the materials covered in the midterm. However, questions on the final may refer to prior material indirectly.
• Grades: Assignments count for 40% of the grade altogether, the midterm counts 30%, and the final 30%.