EE 3351: Project Policies

Project handouts: Project handouts will be available in final form on the web on the day that the preceeding project was turned in unless specified in class. Many of projects are already in a reasonable form, but minor changes are possible upto this date. This policy should give everyone ample time to read the handout and attempt some of the questions before class, when you have an opportunity to ask questions.

The project topic will closely correspond to the lecture topic for that week or two-week period.

Working in groups of two: You will work on your projects in groups of two. To forms these groups, I give you two options. First, you can choose grouping on your own. Second, I can choose a partner for you. You may change partners between projects, but not during an individual project.

Each group of two will hand in one word-processed report. Unless there are strong circumstances, both partners will receive the same grade for this project.

If you choose to go alone, I will not make any consessions, but if your partner drops in the middle of a project, then I will take into account the reduced amount of work.

You may discuss the questions in large groups, but each group must independantly perform and write-up the required work.

MATLAB: We will use the computer program MATLAB for analyzing data; therefore your projects will require a simple understanding of MATLAB. A tutorial of MATLAB is given in the online handouts; we will use only a small fraction of MATLAB's capability in this class.

The projects will involve using experimental data; this data will be provided to you in an ASCII, double-column format that can be easily read by MATLAB.

Also, there is no need to show any MATLAB code unless the project explicitly asks for it.

Format: Your project that you hand in must be word processed, and are limited to 4 pages (single sided). Do not use a font smaller than 10pt, or your grade may decrease proportionally. I will only grade the first four pages. You should integrate any figures and equations directly into the text of your paper. I am providing a sample project report in MS Word format; if you want another format (say LaTeX), that can also be accomodated.

Handing in Projects

Due date: The projects have a hard deadline. Project writeups will be due in lecture on the scheduled due date.

Late projects: Late projects are strongly discouraged; in order for me to grade projects fairly, I must have them on time! It is important that you keep up with the work because most projects depend on the projects before them and it is in your best interest to be current.

Projects that are handed in late, (without extension) will be penalized:

• Projects handed in before 5:00pm may be penalized by 1/3 a letter grade. (i.e., a B+ will drop to a B, A- to B+, etc.)
• Projects handed in after that point will be up to one (1) week late---in class the week after it was
  due---will be dropped two full grades. (i.e., a B+ will drop to D+, etc.)
• Projects handed in more than one week late will be given an F.

Late projects should be handed into me in person or in my mailbox on the second floor of Van Leer.
This policy is firm, so do not fall behind! The work load will not get any lighter later in the quarter.

Extensions on due dates will not be granted unless there is a very compelling reason (e.g., a medical problem). To get an extension, you must talkwith me before the due date.

Returned: Projects that are handed in on time or by the 5:00pm deadline will usually be returned during the following lecture. Projects handed in beyond this deadline will be returned when I get around to it.

Academic Honesty: All conduct in this course will be governed by the Georgia Tech honor code. Additionally, it is expected that students will respect their peers and the instructor such that no one takes unfair advantage of anyone else associated with the course. Any suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students for further action.

Looking at projects from previous classes that I have taught is an honor code violation (only banks of previous exams are allowed by Georgia Tech honor code), and any cases of this most serious form of cheating will earn an automatic F for this course. Further, in case you are tempted, I have photocopies of projects from previous classes that I can quickly compare if I suspect a case of cheating.