Please read this page carefully. You will be responsible for all the information given here, and for any modifications to it that may be announced in class. Any such modifications will be made on the course webpage.

Text: The textbook for this course is, for good or for ill, Introduction to Coding Theory, by Juergen Bierbrauer. This will be supplemented by other material.

Instructor: Kimball Martin

Office:	922 Physical Sciences Center
Phone:	325-3537
Email:	kmartin@math.ou.edu
Office hours:	(tentatively) Monday 2:30-4:30, Friday 3:30-4:30 and by appointment
Course webpage:	http://www.math.ou.edu/~kmartin/codes/

Class Participation: Class participation (e.g., asking questions) is highly encouraged. It is not only helpful for you and other students, but it also helps me understand what you are thinking and makes class more enjoyable. If you feel uncomfortable asking questions in class, please feel free to ask outside of class.

Office Hours:You are encouraged to come to office hours to ask questions and discuss the course. This is also a good way for me to receive feedback on the course. You are also welcome to make impromptu visits outside of office hours, though I may be busy or away. If it is a premeditated affair, you can make an appointment with me.

Homework: Homework is a crucial component of the course. Homework is where you really learn the material. You should expect written homework every week, usually due each Monday at the start of class, and you should plan to spend roughly 6 hours each week on work out of class, with additional work for the graduate version of the course (see below). Each homework assignment will be posted on the course website, typically a week in advance.

Collaboration is allowed, and even encouraged, though you should earnestly try to solve each problem on your own before learning from someone else. However, you are required to write up (not copy) your solutions by yourself, in your own words. Late homework is not generally accepted, though under special circumstances extensions may be granted if requested before the deadline.

Examinations/Projects: There will be two exams as well as two projects. You may not use notes, texts, calculators, computers or other references during the exams. Make-up exams are not given except in extenuating circumstances. More information about the exams and projects will be announced in class and posted on the website.

Presentations: Students enrolled in MATH 5383 will be expected to make several presentations throughout the semester. We will discuss this at the beginning of the semester. Students enrolled in MATH 4383 are welcome to participate in these presentations, and will receive extra credit.

Programming Component: In order to gain a deeper appreciation of the subject material, this course will have a modest computer programming component to it. No previous programming experience is expected. We will use Python 2 (note the newly released Python 3, while very similar, is not backward-compatible!). Programming will be incorporated in some of the homeworks, as well as the projects. The programming aspects will not be covered in lecture (or the text). For programming questions, please ask outside of class (after class, office hours, email, etc.).

Grades: The grades will be computed as follows. A raw score is computed for you, which for MATH 4383 is

40% Homework
30% Exams
30% Projects

For MATH 5383 it is

25% Homework
20% Exams
25% Projects
30% Presentations

Preliminary letter grades will be assigned to raw numeric scores. Then I may adjust your final letter grade individually for such things as bonus points, attendance/participation, and overall attitude and effort.

Withdrawal Policy: Until Feb. 2, there is no record of a grade for dropped courses. From Feb. 3 through Feb. 27, you may withdraw and receive a “W” grade, regardless of your performance to date. From March 2 to April 3, you must come see me if you wish to drop the course. You may receive a “W” if you then have a passing grade in the course. From April 6 to May 8, withdrawing is a more serious matter, and you must consult with the Dean.

Grade of Incomplete: The grade of “I” is a special-purpose grade given when a specific task needs to be completed to finish the coursework. This is only an option in truly extenuating circumstances. An “I” cannot be given to avoid receiving a low grade.

Academic Misconduct: If cases of academic misconduct arise, they will be dealt with according to (rather strict) University policies. Remember that you responsible for knowing and adhering to the University guidelines for academic integrity:

http://www.ou.edu/provost/integrity/

as well as the student code:

http://www.ou.edu/studentcode/

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability that may interfere with the demonstration of your abilities, please contact me as soon as possible to arrange accomodations necessary to ensure your full participation in the course. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services, Goddard Health Center, Suite 166 (325-3852 or TDD 325 4173).