There will be three exams, each covering approximately five weeks of classes. They will not be cumulative and each will contribute 20% to your final grade. The assignments together will constitute 40% of your grade. The grades will be determined on an informal curve. You are guaranteed of a A at 90%, B at 80% etc., but I don't expect the curve to be that high and the grade cutoffs will very likely be lower than that.
Attendence and participation are expected. I don't want to put a specific numerical value on these but active participation may make the difference if you are on the fence, very close to but not over the line for the next higher grade.
Exams can not be taken early or late and assignments will not be accepted after the deadlines (except for informal feedback if you want that). If you have a good excuse with written verification I will prorate your grade based on the rest of the work you have done. The prorating will take into account how easy or difficult the work you missed was for the rest of the class.
The assignments are individual assignments. Any collaboration will be considered cheating and will be grounds for failing the course and possibly stricter sanctions. The same goes for cheating on the exams. Students are allowed and encouraged to study together for the exams and to learn the software involved in the assignments, but are not permitted to work together on the assignments.