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\generic{Course Information}{September 9, 2004}

Welcome to 6.042!  In this course, we'll teach you some mathematics
that we think you'll find useful in your study of computer science.
This handout contains basic information about the class, but all this
and more is also available on the course website:
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\texttt{http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.042}
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\begin{description}

\item[Prerequisites.]  The only prerequisite is 18.01. If you have
already taken 18.310 or 6.046, then you should not take 6.042.

\item[Lecture.]  There are 90-minute lectures on Tuesday and Thursday
in 34-101 at 2:30 PM.  We'll post lecture notes on the website after
each class.

\item[Recitation.]  There are 1-hour recitations on Wednesday and
Friday focused on solving problems in small groups.  Attendance is
required!  \textbf{The first recitation is tomorrow (Friday).  We'll
post recitation assignments on the website tonight.}

\item[Office hours.]  Everyone on the course staff has office hours
every week.  Times and locations are on the website.

\item[Reading.]  The only reading is \textit{Nuts and Bolts of Proofs}
by Cupillari, which is available in the Coop.  You should read the
whole book over the next two weeks.

\item[Homework.]  There are 13 problem sets.  Typically, a problem set
is released on the website on Tuesday, is due on the following Monday
night in 32-044, and is returned in recitation on Wednesday.  Late
homework is not accepted, but talk to your recitation instructor if a
special situation arises.

\item[Exams.] There are three exams: two 2-hour quizes and a 3-hour
final during finals week.

\item[Collaboration.]  You are welcome to work with other students on
homework, but your writeup must be entirely your own.  Please do not
refer to course materials from previous terms.  On the top of your
homework, list:

\begin{itemize}
\item all collaborators, other than course staff 
\item all written sources that you consulted, other than Cupillari and
      course handouts from this term
\end{itemize}

If you had no collaborators and consulted no written sources, then
write, ``I worked alone.''  \textit{Homework without a collaboration
statement will not be graded.}  Collaboration on exams is not allowed.
If you somehow violate the collaboration policy, your best option is
to tell us before we notice.  Mistakes you confess are forgivable.

\item[Grading] We compute a percentage score based on your coursework
and then assign a letter grade as follows:
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\textbf{A} & 88.0 - 100\% \\
\textbf{B} & 75.0 - 87.9\% \\
\textbf{C} & 60.0 - 74.9\% \\
\textbf{D} & 50.0 - 59.9\% \\
\textbf{F} & below 50\% \\
\end{tabular}
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Your percentage score is the weighted average of your scores in five
areas: homework, recitation, quiz 1, quiz 2, and the final exam.  The
weights listed below total 110\%, but we'll cut 10\% off the weight of
your weakest exam.  Scores in the five individual areas are determined
as follows:

\begin{description}

\item[Homework (25\%)] We drop your lowest score.  We may normalize an
entire recitation section upward, if necessary to compensate for
variations in grading standards.

\item[Recitation (20\%)] Each recitation is worth 0, 1, or 2
points. If you attend for the full period and work constructively with
your team, then you get 2 points. If you miss part of recitation or
glaringly fail to work constructively with your team, then you get 1
point. If you are absent, you get 0 points.  We drop your two lowest
recitation scores.

\item[Quiz 1 (20\%), Quiz 2 (20\%), Final (25\%)] If the class median
on an exam is below 75\% (which is typical), then we normalize all
scores upward so that the median is 75\%. We normalize by adding a
fixed number of points to every score.  Scores are not capped at
100\%.  If the median on an exam is above 75\%--- fantastic!

\end{description}

\item[How to Succeed.]  We want everyone to get the best possible
grade within the bounds of fairness.  There is no curve; in principle,
everyone could get an A.  Here are some suggestions on how you can do
well:

\begin{list}{$\bullet$}{\parsep=0in}

\item Attend recitation!  If you show up on time, stay the whole hour,
and work constructively with teammates, then you've got 20\% in the
bag.

\item Attend lecture!  We'll explain every topic in the course and
take your questions.  The course notes are only a backstop; if you
follow lecture, then \textit{Nuts and Bolts} is the only essential
reading all term!

\item Collaborate with other students on the homework.  Some problems
in 6.042 are tricky and sharing insights can save you a lot of time.

\item Rely on your recitation instructor.  Attend office hours and
send questions to him or her via email.  (Office hours are also a good
opportunity to find collaborators.)

\item Exams are typically tough.  The best preparation is to do your
best on each homework and go over your mistakes afterward with your
recitation instructor.

\item If you are having one of \textit{those terms} and you're getting
buried by 6.042, MIT, and life at large, then come talk to us and
we'll see if we can help you out.

\end{list}

Good luck and we hope you enjoy the class!

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