This is a very challenging course. The textbook is difficult - there is no easy textbook on this subject.
The subject is very difficult too. If you come unprepared for class, probably this will be waste of time
as you will hardly understand what is going on.
Please, read the lecture notes for each scheduled session prior to class.
After class discussion you will have the basis to to read and eventually understand the text.
Try to undestand every single sentence and don't panic if you cannot capture the meaning immediately.

Here are some recommendations about how to work with the text.
Send (by e-mail) questions on specific paragraphs that are difficult for you to understand.
In class we will work on the problems given in the textbook, so make sure you attend regularly class sessions.

Homework assignments

Homework assignments will be based on the problems provided in the textbook. It is strongly recommended that you solve all the problems in the textbook. All homework assignments should be prepared as WORD documents and sent by e-mail as attached files by 5 pm on the due date (indicated in the schedule). The subject line must contain the name of the student and the name of the assignment,
for example: John Smith Homework 05.
No late assignments will be accepted. In case of unforeseen events that might prevent you from turning an assignment on time, you have to contact me as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.

Tests, Midterm and Final exam

There will be four tests as indicated in the schedule. Occasionally you may have quizzes (some not announced in advance). There will be no Midterm test. The Midterm grade will be based on the current homework results (50%) and the results from the first two tests (50%). The Final exam is comprehensive. If you know you are going to miss a test please notify me as early as possible to make arrangements for a make-up test.

I strongly recommend that you work on the exam-like questions and problems during the semester.
You may send your answers for comments and corrections.

Your grade will be based on the homework assignments, tests, and final exam.
The final grade will be determined by the following:

        Homework assignments    35%
        Tests                   40%
        Final exam              25%

The following rules apply when computing the final grade:

1. If for any of the above items the grade is less than 50%, you fail the course.
2. The difference between the lowest average grade of any type of course work and your final grade is limited to 15%. For example, if you have 72% (C-) on homework assignments, your final grade cannot be more than B+ (87%).

Grades follow a normal distribution as shown in the following table where the percentage
is the lowest percentage allowed to obtain that grade.

Class attendance is extremely important. In class we shall discuss the theoretical topics in the textbook and we shall also solve some typical problems (you will get similar problems on the tests.) I will take attendance as required by the College administration for Financial Aid purposes.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Discussing a problem with other students is encouraged, however
you have to be able to explain and justify each step of your solution. Plagiarism results in failing the class