Intro to Circuits and Electronics Policies

Introduction to Circuits and Electronics

  • Meeting Times and Places
  • Staff and Office Hours
  • Required Texts and Supplies
  • Policies
  • Syllabus
  • Links
  • Student Web Site
  • Circuits Demos
  • Assignments Page
  • Lectures Page
  • Software Page
  • Example Problems
  • Repetitive Grading Sheet
  • Time-Tracking Form

    • Honor Code

    Your conduct and work in this course must adhere to the standards of the Olin College Honor Code.

    We regard the Honor Code as essential to the academic integrity of Olin College. We expect that all assignments, exams, projects, and other course activities will be completed under the guidelines set by the Honor Code.

    Grading Policy

    Time-Based Homework and Lab Grading for Remainder of Semester

    We have decided to use a time-based homework / lab grading system for the remainder of the semester. As you know, you are supposed to allocate 6.25 hours per week for homework and lab in ICE. In this new grading scheme you will record the time you actually spend (while, of course, sticking to the honor code in such reporting), and this time will determine your homework / lab grade. If you're already an experienced circuiteer, you'll have more time to experiment, explore, and help others; if you are still struggling with your first introduction to circuits, you might choose to spend more time working through fundamental concepts.

    We will continue to assign labs and homework, and return them with commentary and notes for improvement. We ask that you continue to work on the labs and keep up with the material presented in the class. If you find yourself slipping behind, talk to us, and if we're worried about you, we'll talk to you.

    You should record your time, as often as you want but at least once per week, at http://ice.ece.olin.edu/grades/tracktime.php. This form includes a section for comments on what you did and a "multitasking factor". In the comments section, you are not expected to *account* for your time-spent, only to record it. If your time spent on ICE was combined with another activity, use the multitasking factor to adjust your hours. For example, if you were socializing while working, perhaps you can claim .65 x HOURS of work; if you were heavily IMing while trying to work in PSPICE, perhaps .3 x HOURS.

    Only 6 hours per week count, and you cannot "bank" or "roll-over" time. Your grades will be calculated by calculating a 14 day average for each day, capping each average to (12/14) hours (for the 12 hours expected each 14 days), and summing the result. This algorithm allows you to do your 6 hours any time during each week. Whatever fraction this summed result is of the 50 hours expected total will be your homework / lab grade.

    At the end of the semester, we will still have a final oral exam, based on the final course project. Grades on these activities as well as your grades from the earlier parts of the course on circuits will be combined with the time based grades to determine your final grade. Our goal is to have as many members of the class truly earn the highest grades possible.

    Homework, Quizzes, and Tests

    • Homework will be assigned regularly at the beginning of the semester. In general, homework will be due at the class meeting after the one in which it is assigned. It will be returned to you at the next class meeting and the final due date will be the class meeting after that.
    • There will be 10 minute quizzes at the beginning of some classes. These may or may not be announced.
    • There will be a written midterm exam and a final oral exam at the end of the semester with your final project.