COMS W4119 - Computer Networks

Professor Dan Rubenstein
Summer 2009


Grading Policy

For the summer session, written and programming assignments will not be graded! Hence, your entire grade will be based on your performance on the midterm and final. Previous solutions to homework will be provided when applicable (i.e., for the written part). Since doing the homework is often the best way to learn, it is recommended that you attempt the homework and check your solutions against the solutions that are handed out. You should be able to verify your programming assignments through your own testing. Your grade consists of: Exams: I try to test your understanding of a concept, and not just straightforward regurgitation of formulae, i.e., why certain rules, laws, and techniques hold and are used. Hence, I try to design the midterm and final questions to test your understanding of the concepts, not your memorization skills. I realize that some memorization will undoubtedly be required, but hopefully the memorized concepts will be those that can be re-derived via your intuition. I usually take a problem covered in class and put a small ``twist'' on it, so that blind application of the method won't work, but if you have the kind of understanding I am looking for (e.g., the kind that the inventor of the method had), you will know how to adapt the method.

A note on effort: Your grade will mainly be a reflection of how you perform on the midterm and final. Homework grades don't have much of an effect, as long as homework is turned in (i.e., most students typically get most of the problems right). You should do the homework so that you learn the material. If you find yourself copying or getting solutions from someone else without putting in the effort of solving them yourself, you'll probably find yourself doing poorly on the exams.

If you are a bad test-taker, there is hope! Show me (i.e., in office hours and class) that you understand what is going on, and I take that into account when assigning the final grade.

Cheating

In short: don't do it. Be warned now - I take cheating very seriously. If you are caught cheating on the midterm or final, you will fail the class and I will likely take additional action which can result in your suspension or expulsion from Columbia. It's not worth putting yourself in this position. If a grade is that important to you then you should be putting in the extra effort, i.e., reading the book, coming to office hours, etc. You must use common sense about when to collaborate / use notes / calculators, etc. If you are unsure of a policy, you should ask me or the TAs first before doing something you (and I) might consider unethical. Both I and the TAs will be putting a lot of time into teaching you this course. Our goal is to teach you the material. Grades on homeworks, midterms, and finals are not only a means to evaluate you, but also a means to force you to learn the course material. If you do your own work but facilitate someone else's cheating, you run a risk of getting in trouble as well. This is because you run the risk of having me determine who copied from whom. If you feel that someone is pressuring you to help them in a way that makes you uncomfortable, come talk to me / send me e-mail. You should feel free (and actually I would encourage you) to