Grading Breakdown
- 25% Bi-Weekly Problem Sets
- 20% Weekly Quizzes
- 15% Midterm Exam
- 20% Final Exam
- 20% Participation
Ed Discussion Bonus: You can earn up to +10 bonus points by actively participating in Ed Discussions.
Mutual Expectations
Students are expected to
- Be present in class (both physically and mentally)
- Ask at least one question every session
- Present homework solutions
- Do their own work and contribute significantly in team activities
- Study and review necessary class materials independently
The instructor is expected to
- Make lecture notes available before class
- Return graded homework in a timely manner
- Be available for questions about class material (in class, online, or by appointment)
- Notify students early if they are at risk of not meeting course goals
- Provide ungraded practice quizzes for self-assessment
A Note on Expectation
- Simply attending class and submitting homework is not enough.
- To earn an A, you should actively study and review lecture notes, assignments, and discussion materials, using the textbook as support.
- If you get stuck, please reach out to the instructor for help.
Assessment Types
Your performance will be evaluated through various types of assessments:
Problem Sets (25%)
- Released every 2–3 weeks
- Includes algorithm design, pseudocode, proofs, and complexity analysis
- Submitted and graded via Gradescope
- Graded using detailed rubrics
Weekly Quizzes (20%)
- Short in-class quizzes every Thursday
- Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
- Auto-graded with instant feedback
- Lowest score dropped automatically
Exams (35%)
- Exam 1 (15%) — In-class (75 minutes), covering Weeks 1–6
- Exam 2 (20%) — In-class (75 minutes), covering Weeks 7–15
- Tests your ability to analyze, design, and communicate
- Submitted and graded through Gradescope
Practice exams and review sessions will be provided!
Participation (20%)
- In-Class Exercises (8%) — Engagement activities submitted via Gradescope (online or mobile app)
- Peer Reviews (5%) — Reviewing classmates’ work
- Canvas Discussions (5%) — Required discussion posts
- Attendance (2%) — Achieve 90% attendance for full credit