Let me try to review in somewhat greater detail course requirements. 

 The course is a mathematical Course. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to special notations, specific symbols and detailed operations. You must use them precisely.

We have to use these symbols, notations and operations with appropriate precaution. The same symbols notations and operations may have different meaning in different QBA topics.

Providing the correct numerical solution is necessary and thus important. However, by itself it is insufficient as a correct answer. It must be accompanied by the precise procedure as described in class. Without it the answer is not considered correct.

The course is operational. The emphasis is on the right step by step procedure not only on the right answer. These procedures are coming with precise notations, symbols and formulae, and steps. Procedures are encountered in both the set up and the solution process. Furthermore, these must be the complete procedure as presented in class. To the extent that the lecture elaborates a more detailed procedure than that appearing in the book, the detailed procedure must be produced.

The answer should never be ambiguous. An answer not backed up by sufficiently detailed explanation and computation will receive no credit even if the ultimate result(s) is (are) correct.

Similarly, never present two answers to the same problem. Presenting two different answers is ambiguous at best and automatically results in no credit, even if one of the answers is correct. The best strategy if one is not sure which of two answers is correct is to gamble and offer one of the answers. In case of pure guessing this gamble has a 50% chance of earning the full credit.

 Finally and most importantly, learn to identify the correct model when you need to choose among alternative models. If you identify the correct model, you will most likely be able to gain full or partial credit. Can an answer be correct if the model is the wrong one? Similarly, pay attention to the key conceptual principles in different parts of model set up and model solution. You often are examined on revealing them. If you miss them you are likely to miss the credit for the whole part or even the model even if other less conceptually critical components are correct.

Homework participation is essential for learning the course material. Homework presents an opportunity for an early practice of the topics. A higher homework performance is correlated with better job performance and higher exam grades.

 During the regular semester, at each chapter, homework is given in at least two phases. Similar problems appear in both phases, although problems in the second phase are typically somewhat harder. In classes that are meeting only once a week and in the inter session we do not have enough time to do so in full, and the students may need to do the two phases in the same homework assignment. However, I will try to indicate this homework division to aid you in your study. This is done on purpose. A student has two opportunities to work on similar problems. Specifically the feedback gained regarding the solution to problems in the first phase should apply to the solution of problems in the second phase. In different topics, the last assignment may include computer exercises. This forms a bridge between class and industry work.

Homework is collected at the beginning of the class strictly. No credit past the collection time. If you may be late I advise you to FAX your homework. You have two class meetings to settle any grading questions with the graders and the instructor. Homework is assigned 10 course points. In calculation of the earned course points we have to take into account that: a. there are many homework assignments during the course. b. Every homework assignment may have different number of problems. c. To receive the maximal number of course points it is sufficient that the student will arrive at only 80% of the total possible homework score in the course. To be fair the calculation has to be pretty complex.

Generally every problem typically worth's one homework point for course grading purposes. Partial credit is possible. Therefore, a homework assignment with 10 problems will earn 10 a maximum of 10 homework points and one with 3 problems may earn a maximum of 3 homework points.

In addition for comparison only, graders may assign a maximal common score say 5 points to every assignment. This provides the student with further comparable measure of the success rate across homework assignments. I appreciate the graders' service in this case. However, they are not required to process the grade to such details. They may provide this measure in some homework and not in others according to their discretion.

Let us consider the maximal number of possible homework points in the course, for example let us assume this number is 90 homework points. Let us assume that this is roughly corresponds to a 90 problems assigned during the semester, every problem is counted as one homework point. Of course the number of assigned homework may vary from class to class depending on class progress. The number 90 is only an example.

Next, we figure the maximum required points for homework. To earn the maximum required points for homework it is sufficient to perform only at a level of 80% of the homework. This is the maximal required achievement in homework. For illustration, in our example 90 is the maximum possible homework points. Calculating 80% of 90 we obtain 90(.80) = 72.

Hence, any student receiving a homework score higher than or equal to 72, will receive the full 10 course points for homework. Student grades beneath 72 will be prorated with 72 as the highest required level. For example, a student performing at half this level receiving in total only a score of 36 will receive 5 points, A student performing at the 54 level which is 75% of 72 will receive a score of 7.5 course points.

Every question in every exam a midterm or a final receives a maximum score of 1 exam point. A partial credit is possible. Critical mistakes negating course principles or notations may result in no credit for the problem even if part of the answer is correct. Similarly if a mistake is repeated in a part of the question that part may earn no credit even if some of the treatment is correct. There are nine exam questions: 3 in each midterm and 3 in the final. Every exam point is worth ten course points. For example, a student receiving a perfect score in a midterm would earn 3 exam points, which are 30 course points. A student receiving a grade of 1.5 in an exam would earn 15 course points. Please notice that you are examined on conceptual understanding and on your application of algebra and geometry. Critical conceptual or mathematical mistakes often lead to loosing full possible credit for parts of the problem or the question as a whole. This is correct even if only one or two conceptual mistakes are made. Making too many mistakes in leads to zero credit for it, even if some correct elements remain.  You are advised to proof read your questions and answers.

How to evaluate your grade?

Evaluation is based on total course points in the course. However, rough indication of standing is possible based on participation in the exams and a good participation in the homework. Here are some benchmarks.

Earning a grade of A is assured for students with total exam plus homework scores for the semester greater than 90% of the maximum total score, provided a perfect participation score. Similarly, under the same conditions an 85%  assures at least an A-.

A performance at a level of 50% of the total maximum exam and homework score is sufficient for passing the course, provided a perfect participation score.

A performance lower than 1/3 of the maximal possible score in an exam should be of great concern to any student. A performance lower than 40% should be of grave concern. It may indicate substantial weakness, resulting in a failure. A performance at this level indicates that lack of command of the material that is necessary to pass the course. It indicates an immediate need for remedial help. Specifically, if the student's grade is beneath one point in a midterm, the student has to be strongly concerned with his course material and should approach me for help arrangements immediately.