Exams: We will have two exams and a final exam (Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 3:00 pm).

Quizzes and in-class exercises: In nearly every class, we will have a short quiz (sometimes unannounced) or in-class work to help you assess your progress.

Class participation: Students will frequently be asked to work in groups during classes. Sometimes the groups will analyze and solve problems in-class. Sometimes you will be asked to explain your solution to an individual assignment to your group. Groups may be asked to explain their solution to the class. Hence class regular attendance and participation is expected.

Group Project: Students will be asked to analyze a news article or advertisement that includes quantitative data. (For example, a new car advertisement might state that buyers can get 1.9% financing or $1000 cash back. What would be the best option under some particular set of circumstances?) The group will create a spreadsheet that quantitatively analyzes the data (including tax, license and fees that might apply) and presents the analysis in a manner that allow others to understand and use the result. See http://www.cs.plu.edu/courses/csce115/fall06/project.html#GroupProject for more details.

Individual Project: You will complete an individual project for this class which is due on Monday, Dec. 4. You will give a short 7 minute presentation about your project on that day or on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The project should be designed to demonstrate your ability in mathematical problem solving and use of a spreadsheet. The project may be something that you have always wanted to do to save time and energy ("I wish I had a ..."). It might involve a mathematical analysis for another class or for your job. Some of the advanced problems in the text might give you an idea. See http://www.cs.plu.edu/courses/csce115/fall06/project.html#IndividualProject for more details.

Grading: Grades for the course will be computed approximately as follows:

        Lab and Homework Assignments   200-260 points
        Group project                   50
        Individual project              60
        Two Exams  (2 @ 100)           200
        Final Exam                     150
        Class participation,
            quizzes, and
            in-class work              50-100
                                       ---
        Total                          710-820 points

The grading scale will be approximately 60% D-, 70% C-, 80% B-, and 90% A-.

Reminder: This is a four credit course. You will be expected to spend about 12 hours a week (including class and homework time) on the course. Please plan your schedule accordingly. It is important that you keep up and hand in your work on time.

Academic honesty: Students are encouraged to get and provide help when needed. However, unless otherwise stated in lab and homework assignments, the work you turn in is expected to be primarily your own. Group projects are acceptable only when the assignments specifies them. Consider writing a paper for an English or History class. The instructor would normally be pleased if you had someone proof read your paper or you visited the Writing Center. However, if two students turned in the same paper, it would be considered academic dishonesty. The same is true in this class. When you get help, you must "footnote" that assistance. In the case of group projects, the group will turn in 1 copy "signed" by all the students in the group.

Some guidelines for out for class work (not assigned as group work):

• Make your goal learning how to do the problems, not getting the assignment done.
• Remember that your work is expected to be primarily your own, not someone else's.
• Working with others is often a great way to learn. But it should be a learning experience for everyone in the group.
• Make sure you understand every part of your assignment.
• Never take (or give) paper or electronic copies of an assignment from (or to) others.
• When working with others do NOT accept (or give) formulas, solutions, or completed work from (or to) others. (Accepting a formula from someone else means it is not primarily your own.)
• Instead of giving or accepting formulas, ask or answer questions that point the way to the solution.
• Try to avoid last minute problem solving. It tends to lead to frustration and violation of the above guidelines.
• Except in "art" classes, changing the formatting doesn't make someone else's work primarily you own.
• Express (acknowledge) your appreciation to anyone who helped you.

USB flash drive: You will need to have a USB flash drive for moving files between the classroom, open labs, and your computer. You can buy them at the bookstore or elsewhere. E-mail attachments or writable CD's can sometimes be used as a substitute

On-line materials: Many of the class materials and examples will be available from the class's WEB page http://www.cs.plu.edu/courses/csce115/fall06/home.html

Students are required to have an account on PLU's computer "Sage" and are strongly encouraged to check their e-mail regularly. Students will create a home page on Sage. If students have concerns about personal privacy and the use of Sage, they should consult the instructor.

Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. It is your responsibility to get your work handed in on time, even when you have a legitimate excuse for missing class. The instructor does not assume any responsibility for paper copies of homeworkd turned in at any time except at the beginning of class on the due date. Many assignments will need to be submitted electronically. In general, there will not be make-ups on quizzes or in-class work and make-ups (for legitimate reasons) on exams should be arranged ahead of time. Late homework and lab exercises will be discounted at 25% per weekday. Permission is required to submit late home work electronically. If you must miss class you should make arrangements with someone in the class to turn in your homework and get notes and handouts for you. We will be covering material in-class that is not in the texts.

In case of difficulties: PLEASE COME TO TALK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE COURSE!

Important dates: Last date to add is Monday, September 11 and the last day to drop without the instructor's signature and full refund of tuition is Monday, Sept. 18, . Last date to withdraw (without tuition refund) is Wednesday, Nov. 22

Special note to students with disabilities of any kind: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with your instructor, or if you need other special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with your instructor as soon as possible. If you have any questions about services for students with disabilities at PLU, please contact Ruth Tweeten in Counseling and Testing, located in Ramstad 106 or call x7206.

For more information, contact James Brink
brinkje@plu.edu

Revised 9/25/06