TIME TABLE:

66646 MWF 2:00 -- 2:50 from 01/12/2004 to 04/30/2004 in computer lab CCC 408 (fourth floor of Chicago Circle Center), except for five times: Wed 28 Jan, Wed 4 Feb, Wed 11 Feb, Wed 18 Feb, Wed 25 Feb. At these five times we will either meet in another lab or in SH 0220.

PREREQUISITES:

Grade of C or better in MATH 210; and MCS 260 or EECS 170 or EECS 171.

INSTRUCTOR:

Jan Verschelde, Office: 728 SEO, Phone: 312 996 4609.
E-mail: jan@math.uic.edu. home page

OFFICE HOURS:

At 3PM on Monday, 11AM on Wednesday, and 1PM on Friday, I am sure to be in my office; but feel free to stop by if you have any math questions. We can also make an appointment.

TEXT BOOK:

Lecture notes will be distributed at the beginning of each lecture and will also be made available via the course web site. The notes are based in part on the book of André Heck: "Introduction to Maple", 3rd Edition, Springer-Verlag, 2003, available at UIC's bookstore.

MCS 320 SITE:

At http://www.math.uic.edu/~jan/mcs320/index.html is an electronic version of this sheet, along with lecture notes, Maple worksheets, computer assignments, and other relevant materials.

HOMEWORK:

Exercises are assigned with each lecture. Although only a selection of the homework can be collected to make up for quizzes, it is strongly recommended to try all assignments.

QUIZZES:

There will be a quiz every Friday, except during exam weeks. Every quiz is worth 10 points. There will be no makeup quizzes. If you miss a quiz or if your performance is bad, you can turn in the assigned homework to regain some of the points lost.

PROJECTS:

Three projects will be assigned during the semester, worth jointly a total of 200 points. The deadline for each project occurs at 2PM, before the lecture starts. Late submissions are accepted till 5PM the same day, but are penalized with 10 points off. Note that late correct projects may thus then still be more worth than incorrect but timely submitted programs.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

No student shall claim or submit the work of another as ones own. You may discuss homework and projects with others, but must finish it and write the solution yourself without looking at others' work. Allowing someone to copy from you is also punishable.
If you ever want a good job, note that the May/June 2003 issue of the UIC alumni magazine listed Honesty/Integrity at the 2nd place in the "Top 20 Qualities/Skills Employers Seek".

EXAMS:

During the semester, there will be two exams worth 100 points each. There will be no makeup exams given. The final exam counts for 200 points. If an exam is missed, then greater weight will be placed on the final exam, especially on the material covered on the missing exam.

GRADING SCALE:

90 - 100% = A, 80 - 89% = B, 70 - 79% = C, 60 - 69% = D, 0 - 59% = E.
Your course grade is based on a total of 700 points: 100 from the quizzes, 200 from the projects, 200 from the exams during the semester, and 200 from the final exam.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. While the lectures cover the same materials in the text book, usually other examples will be presented and discussed. We will also address the topics you need to implement the projects. You are expected to follow UIC's PC LAB Usage Policy.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Please contact ODS at 312/413-2103 (voice) or 312/413-0123 (TTY).

SOME IMPORTANT DATES:

Monday 19 January: Martin Luther King Day, no class.
Friday 23 January: last day to drop the class.
Friday 20 February: last day to withdraw from the course.
Monday 22 - Friday 26 March: Spring break.
First week of May: final examination.