The first midterm examination is on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, and will carry a 20 percent weight. Here are some guidelines for it.
WHAT TO STUDY:
You are responsible only for the topics covered in class. Read Chapter
1, Sections 2.6 through 2.8, and Sections 3.1 through 3.7, and
3.11. There are
several sample questions in the text book. In Chapter 3 only, do the
practice problems and exercises (just theoretical questions. The ones
marked with a dagger have their answers in Appendix B. Check out the
links for old exams, homeworks, and their answers and print them ALL out.
Also, in the web page for the book check out the link
Sample Exams and Answers for more on Chapter 3.
WHAT TO BRING:
1) Pen(s) to write. If you use a pencil, you forfeit the right to
complain about the grading, unless you pick up the exam from the
TA's office and take care of grading complaints before leaving
his/her office. You need not bring paper or blue book because you
will be writing the answers on the paper itself.
2) A SINGLE 4 inch by 6 inch index card or paper on which you should
copy down all formulas and any other information you think you would
want to reference. Note that the index card should be handwritten
and not photo copied from the book. The idea is that, in the
process of deciding what to copy and actually copying, you would
have learned the material and wouldn't need to look at the card
except for messy formulas.
3) A calculator that does basic arithmetic functions. If you bring a
solar calculator, sit below a light.
TIME LIMITS:
You are not allowed to turn the cover page to look at the exam until
everyone has received the papers and I signal that you may start
writing. Also, you must stop writing when asked to. You will,
however, be given a two-minute warning so that you can wrap things up.
TEN POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EACH MINUTE OF EXTRA TIME IT TAKES YOU
TO STOP WRITING.
If you need help with difficult material, feel free to ask for help.
Remember what I said, "One person can lead a horse to the water, but 20
cannot make him drink." There is no sense in going to the exam feeling
frustrated about materials you haven't understood. In this course you
will not be able to study the day before an exam and expect to do well.
You should be in constant touch with the material, the messages, and
all the assignments posted on the computer. We are here to help as
much as possible, but you should do your part. Doing the homeworks
will be of great help. Don't expect any sympathy from me if you don't
turn in homeworks.