Math 114 Recitation Policies

Additional Recitation Policies (in addition to what Prof. Alex Popa has already mentioned in his webpage)



Recitations

Don't forget that the purpose of the recitation is to help you get a better understanding of the material presented to you during the lectures. Therefore, even though I will always have something prepared, I hope you will be the one asking questions, as this is the most efficient way for you to get comfortable with the topics covered in class. Please do not be afraid to ask any questions, as you are coming to recitation to learn the subject. Also, if my notations are not according to what Prof. Alex Popa is using during the lectures, feel free to stop me and ask for clarification.

I strongly encourage you to send me emails regarding any difficulties you may encounter when solving homework problems. I will certainly read all of them, however I will not answer to every email that I get. Instead I may send some group emails whenever I feel it is necessary, and also I will try to answer some of the questions in recitations.

PLEASE do correct me everytime you think I am making a mistake. Maybe you will not be right, but it will certainly help you clarify things. Moreover, the other colleagues may not notice if I make a mistake, so you would also help them.

Probably most of you use a cell phone, just as I do. However, please turn it off during recitations, as I wouldn't like to have unwanted pauses during the recitation. I may even reserve the right to answer any phone calls received during the class, and I'm sure you wouldn't like me to answer your phone calls. Thanks in advance...

Office hours

My office hours are scheduled as follows: M 5:30-6:30PM,T 2-3PM . If you cannot attend either of them, please contact me by email right away, and I'll try to figure out something else. Last but not least, consider coming at least 15 minutes before the office hours are over, in order to give me some time to answer your questions; otherwise, the answer to the questions might(and most probably will) be delayed until the following office hour takes place.

Homework

The homeworks won't be graded. However I strongly encourage you to do all of it, as it will only help you get a better understanding of the concepts presented to you. Moreover, it is highly unlikely to do well in the course, if you're not consistently solving the problems assigned in class.

Quizzes

There will be a quiz every week i.e. every recitation. It will consist of 2 problems and each quiz will be graded on a 0-10 point scale. It will be based on the homework problems due before the recitation. It may also contain material covered during that specific recitation. It will be held during the last 10-15 minutes of the recitation. NO cheat sheets allowed. There will be NO make-up quizzes, as the two lowest grades will be dropped. Quizzes will count for 20% of the final grade.

Grade breakdown

Quizzes 20%
Midterms 40%
Final 40%.

Exams and course grades

All questions regarding exam policy, grades, make-ups should be directed towards the instructor. If you happen to email me about any of these issues, I will only forward the email to Prof. Alex Popa, thus the respond time will be longer than if you write directly to the professor.