Math 242, Modern Computational Mathematics
Administrative Matters
Spring Term, 2012

Professor:Steven C. McKelvey
Office:Regents Math (RMS), Room 505
Phone:x3421
Email: mckelvey@stolaf.edu
Web Site: http://www.stolaf.edu/people/mckelvey
Office Hours:
Every Weekday: 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Class Meetings:Class meets from 10:45am to 11:40am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Tomson Hall, Room 184.
Textbook:There is no textbook for this class. Web-based materials will be used extensively. Materials may also be placed on digital or reserve in a college library.
Homework:

Homework will be given weekly, typically on Monday, and will usually be due at the beginning of class one week later. Late homework turned in one class meeting late will be penalized 20% of the earned points. Homework turned in more than one class period late will earn no points and will be corrected at my discretion.

Homework is a very important aspect of this course. Homework points make up 35% of the course grade. Homework is a requirement of the class. If a significant amount of homework is left undone at the end of the term the effect on a student's grade may be more significant than the normal 35% weight, with failure in the course a likely outcome. The precise definition of "significant" in both uses is at my discretion.

Group Projects: There will be two group projects during the course of the term. The groups will consist of one to three students. For the first project, students will be responsible for creating their own groups. For the second, I will assign groups.
  • The first project, worth 10% of the course grade, will be handed out on March 2nd and will be due on March 14th. The same project will be addressed by all groups. Each group will produce a written report on their work and conclusions.
  • The second project, worth 20% of the course grade, will result in both a written report AND a 15 minute oral report given to the entire class. Each group will design its own project, subject to my approval. Project designs must be approved on or before April 25th. Presentations will take place in class on May 9th, 11th and 14th. All written reports will be due on May 14th.
Final Exam: The final examination, worth 35% of the course final grade, will be an individual-work take-home exam handed out on May 9th and due at the end of the scheduled final exam period (11:00am on Thursday, May 17th). You may turn in the exam at any time prior to this deadline. Requests for extensions must be directed to me prior to the exam's due date. Generally, such requests will not be granted except for true emergencies.

This examination will be given under the Saint Olaf honor system. Students will be asked to sign the pledge. Jurisdiction over allegations of misconduct involving examinations will fall to the Student Honor Council.

All academic work in this course is subject to the St. Olaf College policies on academic honesty and plagiarism. These can be found at:

Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability for which accommodations may be required in this class, please contact Connie Ford (ford@stolaf.edu) or Erin Bang (bang@stolaf.edu) in the Academic Support Center (507-786-3288 or Buntrock 108) as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. If you have already presented your documentation and/or arranged accommodations through Student Disability Services, you are required to provide me with your accommodation letter within the first two weeks of class. Accommodations will only be provided after the letter is submitted to me and with sufficient lead-time for me to arrange testing or other accommodations.

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