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\generic{Course Information}{February 1, 2005}

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.csail.mit.edu/classes/6.042}
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\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 32-123 at 11 AM.

\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 (Wednesday).
We'll post recitation assignments on the website tonight.}

\item[Office hours.]  Times and locations are on the website.

\item[Reading.]  We'll post lecture notes on the website after each
class.  The notes and lectures will be similar, but not identical.
You are responsible for the content of both.

\item[Homework.]  Typically, a problem set is released on the website
on Tuesday, is due on the following Monday night at 9PM 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 aside from this term's course materials
\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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\begin{tabular}{cl}
\textbf{A} & 88.0 - 100\% \\
\textbf{B} & 78.0 - 87.9\% \\
\textbf{C} & 65.0 - 77.9\% \\
\textbf{D} & 50.0 - 64.9\% \\
\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.
Scores in the five individual areas are determined as follows:
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\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\%)] We'll cut 10\% off
the weight of your weakest exam.

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Despite our best efforts, we sometimes make errors in grading. If you
think your work on homework or exam was misgraded, please let us know.
However, requests for regrades must be submitted within a week after
the return date and before the final exam.

We reserve the right to assign a better course grade than the one
determined by your scores.

\end{description}

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{\Large \textbf{How to Succeed in 6.042}}
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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 go over the major points of every topic
and answer your questions.  Lecture may cover examples not addressed
in the notes.

\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 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 where you're
getting buried by 6.042, MIT, and life at large, 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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