Notes for Writing and Submitting Homework

• Since only PhD students are required to take this course, my grading will reflect the PhD requirements. So, read the following very carefully.
• Your work should be typeset. I do not accept hand-written material which could be too difficult to read. You can use WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, FrameMaker, LaTeX or even TeX. Whatever word processor or typesetting system you will be using, only a printed copy should be submitted. Page numbers are required.
• When you are preparing your writing, be sure mathematical symbols are clearly shown. Otherwise, you risk lower grade.
• If a problem requires a proof, make sure you will supply a "correct" one. Prove every claim in your paper. Sentences such as "I believe ...." and "I think ...." are not proofs.
• An idea and a proof are two different things. When you are asked to prove something, supplying an idea is not sufficient because (1) I may not be able to verify if your idea is correct, and (2) there is no evidence to show you are capable of constructing a proof based on your idea. As a result, only presenting an idea will risk very low grade.
• If a proposition or a theorem is used in your proof, cite it correctly. All problems are solvable using the propositions/theorems covered in class and found in our textbook. Citing any propositions/theorems from other sources is unacceptable.
• If a problem requires a program/function, you should also prove your program/function is correct. I will not verify the correctness of your program/function for you. If there is no proof or justification, you will receive no credit; if the proof or justification is insufficient, you will risk lower grade.
• While a counterexample can be used to disprove a proposition, a general argument is required to prove a proposition. "Prove by example" is not a proof.
• Write your paper carefully and always proof-read and spell-check your work. I will not guess what you are writing.
• Simple problems are always graded with the all-or-nothing policy. Read your paper carefully and do not make any mistakes and damaging typos.
• I will grade your homework based on the correctness of your answer or proof. If you missed something, some points will be deducted. In addition, I will also look at the following:
  • Is your paper well-organized?
  • Is the presentation clear?
  • Is the typesetting of your paper acceptable?
  While these are based on my personal judgment, I will do my best to make the grading process fair as if I am doing a referee's job for a professional journal. Some points will be deducted if your paper fails to meet the above requirements.
• In the beginning, I will point out the problems in your paper. However, my standard will be higher near the end of this semester.
• Having a Technical Writing handbook on your bookshelf would be very helpful.