Math 242, Modern Computational Mathematics
Administrative Matters
Fall Term, 2009

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:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30am to 9:30am
Tuesday:2:30pm to 3:15pm
Thursday:9:00am to 10:00am
Class Meetings:Class meets from 11:45am to 1:10pm on Tuesdays and 12:45pm to 2:05pm on Thursdays in Regents Hall (RNS) room 206 in The Link.
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 Thursday, 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 the most important aspect of this course. Homework points make up 50% 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 50% 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 October 6th and will be due on October 20th. 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 20 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 November 19th. Presentations will take place on December 10th and 15th. All written reports will be due on December 15th.
Final Exam:The final examination will be an individual-work take-home exam handed out on December 10th and due at the end of the scheduled final exam period (11:00am on Saturday, December 19th). 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: Any student with a documented intellectual, physical or emotional disability needing academic accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class. All such discussions will remain confidential. Students with disabilities must also contact Ruth Bolstad (bolstadr@stolaf.edu), or Connie Ford (ford@stolaf.edu) in the Academic Support Center (x3288) located in the Modular Village.

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