18.310  Principles of Applied Math

WAC Evaluation Form
Please return to Ashley Caval in 12-117, acaval@mit.edu

Which CI-M instructor(s) did you work with?      Susan Ruff

The CI-M instructor or instructors helped you improve your writing and/or presentations

Strongly disagree             1    2    3    4    5    6    7                       Strongly agree

The CI-M component helped you improve your writing and/or presentations
Note: For 18.310, the “CI-M component” is the lecture on information order and connectivity, the writing exercises, and the feedback on your writing.

Strongly disagree             1    2    3    4    5    6    7                        Strongly agree

What were the things in the communication component of the class that you found to be the most effective? Why?

What were the things in the communication component of the class that you found to be the least effective? Why? How could they be improved?

I am not going to be here Tuesday-Friday, so my office hours will be on Monday, 1pm - 2pm, right after class.

Dear class,

As you revise your Linear Programming assignment, remember to do the following:

1) All of the wording in your paper must be your own. If you're not sure how to put math from a source "into your own words," see the examples of how to paraphrase math in "Math supplement for Academic Integrity Handbook" on the stellar materials page. I'm happy to meet with you if you have any questions.

2) If you use information from outside this class or if you use a formal theorem or definition from the lecture notes, cite the source. Examples of how to do so are illustrated in "Math supplement for Academic Integrity Handbook" on the stellar materials page. (It isn't necessary to cite *ideas* from the lecture notes: they're considered to be "common knowledge" in this class.)

3) We encourage collaboration with others to understand the math, but you must write up your paper on your own. To avoid the appearance of plagiarism, when you talk with collaborators about the math, you shouldn't share written notes from that discussion--you should each write up your notes on your own. Also remember to acknowledge your collaborators.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to meet. You can sign up for a meeting at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiGGB9BmkgShdHR3MWlZSDIzRDN3MnNsOENRd0xhOHc&hl=en_US#gid=1

Good luck with your revisions.

Susan

I've posted the homework due next week. Sorry it's late. I'm out of town, and Jon Kelner is
going to be filling in for me today, lecturing on BCH codes.

Dear class,

A revision of the Linear Programming assignment will be due on the last day of class. We'll have comments to you next Wednesday (or earlier) but I recommend that you take a look at your draft and revise on your own before you receive your comments. This is the most important writing assignment of the term so, unlike past assignments, we'll deduct points for lack of revision. Don't limit your revisions to comments you receive: our comments are not exhaustive, and an important part of the writing process is to be able to identify for yourself how to improve your writing. (Don't worry, we will be reasonable: if your draft receives the highest possible score we won't expect major revisions, but we do still expect you to look for ways to improve the writing.)

I'm happy to meet with you to discuss your writing. You can sign up for a meeting time at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiGGB9BmkgShdHR3MWlZSDIzRDN3MnNsOENRd0xhOHc&hl=en_US#gid=0

All the best,
Susan