Course Policies:

Homework:

· Homework is due week after it is assigned unless otherwise specified.

· Several problems will be assigned at the end of each section. Additional problems may be also assigned.

· The objective of the homework is to train you to use the principles we covered in class. Please feel free to solve homework in groups or individually.

· Homework is graded either one or zero based on how you attempt to solve the problem. You get a grade of zero if the grader thinks that you did not try to solve the problem. You get a grade of one if you try to solve the problem even if you did not get the right final answer.

· Solution will be posted after homework is collected.

· You should expect the grader to justify why he/she does not agree with your solution. Simple check mark is not sufficient. Please bring this issue, if it happens, to my attention. Try to review graded homework so you can understand your mistakes.

• Students are encouraged to attempt to solve more problems to increase the depth of their understanding of the material.

Exams:

· You will receive a notice of the exam time at least one week before it.

· Exams are closed book. You are however free to bring one sheet with formulas that you feel important. Please do not copy homework solution into it!

· The objective of exams is to test your understanding of material covered so far. Therefore, please do not expect to see one of the homework problems, slightly masked, in the test. You should not also expect to see something totally new in an exam, as you will not have enough time to consider it.

· My experience tells me that your chance of passing an exam is greatly enhanced if you solve homework regularly.

Projects:

· Projects are team-effort. Teams will be formed alphabetically unless there is a strong reason not to do so.

· Projects start with brief set of specifications followed by a lengthy discussion in class.

· Each group prepares a preliminary report, which includes all calculations and one or more sketch explaining all components of their design. Preliminary report will be graded.

· After students receive the graded preliminary report, we will have another in-class discussion.

· Students prepare the final project that should be submitted at the specified deadline. Final project should address all design concerns listed in the graded preliminary report. It should conform to the project format specified below.

· Each student grades other team members as well as himself/herself, on a scale of 0 to 10, in three categories: technical abilities, team spirit, and promptness.

· Final project grade will be combination of preliminary report (30%), final report (60%), and self-evaluations (10%).