Assessment Guidelines for ME261-2016

THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES WILL BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED WITH NO

EXCEPTIONS. BY SUBMITTING ANY OF THE ASSESSMENT ITEMS FOR THIS
COURSE, IT WILL BE UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD
THE GUIDELINES COMPLETELY AND WILL ABIDE BY THEM.

University Attendance Policy:

1. The university attendance policy requires students attend at least 70% of the lectures
during the semester. Students below 70% attendance will be barred from taking part in
the final exams. This policy is mandatory and will be enforced by the HOD.
2. Your attendance will be taken at the beginning of the lecture. Attend lectures early and avoid
missing them altogether.

Assignments (or Homework):

1. The purpose of the assignments is to reinforce knowledge and apply concepts and
techniques taught in the course. Doing the assignments regularly will help you master the
materials covered and develop your problem solving skills. THE ABILITY TO SOLVE
PROBLEMS IS A MUST-HAVE SKILL FOR AN ENGINEER.
2. To work out the assignments, it is important that you read assigned readings and work out the
practice problem sets and examples given in the textbook/lectures.
3. Plan to do your work on-time. Start working on the assignment right away when it is given.
Put some work daily until the assignment is complete. Dont wait until the last day before
the assignment is due.
4. You may work individually or in groups of no more than two students (unless otherwise
stated). Working in groups is encouraged to facilitate peer learning and teamwork. You may
discuss the assignment with other students outside the group but must not copy their
solutions. Passing off someone elses work (which also includes past solutions or other
sources such online solution manuals) as your own work with/without their consent is
considered PLAGIARISM, ILLEGAL and NOT ALLOWED. You must not copy from
someones work or allow anyone to copy from your work. Instances of plagiarism/cheating on
any assessment items may be referred to the HOD for disciplinary action. This may result in
a zero grade and further action by the University Disciplinary Committee.
5. For group submission
a. Each group will submit one copy of the assignment.
b. Make sure all the group members have their names and signatures on the cover page
before submission. The assignment will not be accepted without the signatures.
Additions/corrections of names will not be accepted after the assignment has been
submitted.
c. Each of the group members must write an equal proportion of the number of assigned
problems. All members must their utmost effort and equally contribute to the
assignment and understand the solution of all the problems. The lecturer may
check this by asking any member to explain a particular solution. Failure to
explain the solutions by any member may result in the rejection of the assignment
and a zero grade.
6. For individual submission

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a. Make sure to have your name and signature on the cover page before submission. You
must be able explain the solution of all the problems presented. Failure to do so
may result in the rejection of the assignment and a zero grade.
7. The assignments must be neat.
8. The submission deadline is before the beginning of the lecture period on the due date
(unless otherwise stated). Assignments will only be collected in class.
9. Late submissions will be accepted up to 1 day starting right after the due date and time.
There is a penalty of 25% deduction (of the marks). For much later submission, A ZERO
GRADE WILL BE AWARDED.
10. For other cases only university excused absences will be accepted.
a. For a sickness absence, a note from the medical officer is required. The sickness
period should start well before the due date. Otherwise the note will not be accepted.
The assignment should be turned in within the number of days missed due to sickness
(from the start of sickness date to the assignment due date) following the date of
recovery to avoid late submission penalties.
b. For planned absence, you must let the lecturer know (submit supporting documents)
well before the absence and make alternative arrangements.
11. Not following the above guidelines will result in a zero grade for the assignment.
12. Assignment grading mistakes must be brought to the attention of the lecturer within one week
of solutions being posted and assignment returned. After that corrections will not be accepted.

Quizzes:
1. Quizzes test your understanding of the assigned readings and lectures. Refer to the list of
suggested topics for the quizzes.
2. You may expect a quiz every lecture week. The quiz will be given at the beginning of the
lecture period. Quizzes will last for 10-15 min depending on the questions set. Therefore
reading regularly and attending the lectures on time is very important.
3. Makeup quiz for missed ones will be only given for university excused absences (as explained
earlier). Excuses not presented at the first opportunity will not be accepted. No makeup quiz
will be given for missed quizzes due to lateness.

Tests (or Midterm Exams):

1. Tests examine your understanding of key concepts and ability to apply techniques taught in the
course. They cover materials from lectures, practice problem sets, quizzes and assignments.
Make adequate preparations- by revising notes, putting genuine effort in completing
assignments/homework and practicing problems which you find difficult and master themon a regular (daily) basis. Practicing will build up your confidence and sharpen your problem
solving skills. Timing yourself when practicing will help you manage time better during tests.
2. Stop wasting time during tests/exams by being overly concerned with neatness. Whenever
possible, avoid using correction fluids, which takes time to dry and is a waste of precious
minutes. Avoid using drawing sets where a simple quick sketch is sufficient. Avoid using
verbose sentences or paragraphs. Use simple and short sentences as much as possible. Carry
out algebraic manipulations to the simplest form before applying numerical values. Use units
to check your answers for consistency. Ask yourself if the answers make physical sense,
whether it agrees or contradicts with governing laws or principles.
3. Makeup tests for missed ones will be only given for university excused absences.
a. For a sickness absence, a note from the medical officer is required. Excuses not
presented at the first opportunity will not be accepted.

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b. For planned absence, you must let the lecturer know (submit supporting documents)
well before the absence and make alternative arrangements.
4. Test grading mistakes must be brought to the attention of the lecturer within one week of
solutions being posted. After that corrections will not be accepted.

Final Exam:
1. Prepare for the final exam from the beginning of the semester. As a part of revision, work
out the practice problem sets, assignments and tests problems right after the solutions are
posted. Identify areas were you are weak and master them. If you have difficulties
understanding the material, then discuss the problems with your classmates or peer teachers or
the lecturer.
2. Have a regular revision routine. AFTER ATTENDING LECTURES, REFLECT ON
WHAT WAS COVERED DURING THE EVENINGS. Read lecture notes/ assigned
readings and make short notes (or memory maps) of key points showing your understanding.
By doing so, you will internalize the knowledge and, this will help you revise quickly and
effectively for the final exam.
3. The final exam is a 2-hour written exam. Therefore, time yourself when you solve each of
the practice problems. Improve your timing by repeating the problems. This will help you
manage time during the exam. At the beginning of the exam make an estimate of how much
time you have for each problem and try to stick to it. If possible, keep some time to check
your solutions afterwards.
4. Stop wasting time during tests/exams by being overly concerned with neatness. Whenever
possible, avoid using correction fluids, which takes time to dry and is a waste of precious
minutes. Avoid using drawing sets where a simple quick sketch is sufficient. Avoid using
verbose sentences and paragraphs. Use simple and short sentences as much as possible. Carry
out algebraic manipulations to the simplest form before applying numerical values. Use units
to your answers for consistency. Ask yourself if the answers make physical sense, whether it
agrees or contradicts governing laws or principles.

Practice Problems:
1. To promote self-learning and develop problem solving skills, practice problems will be given
out during a lecture and the solutions will be presented at the next. You must attempt these
before the solutions are given. After the solutions are presented go over the problems again to
identify and correct your mistakes.
2. Practice problems will not be collected or graded. However similar problems may appear
in the assignments, tests and the final exam. So it is very important you work these out.

Bonus Problems:
1. To encourage critical thinking, increase understanding and generate interest in the subject
matter, bonus problems maybe assigned during the lecture or as a part of the assignments.
2. Students can earn extra points by working out bonus problems. The bonus marks will be
added to the final grade. These problems are optional but everyone is encouraged to
attempt them. The bonus problems will not be returned.

Projects:
1. Projects are open-ended in nature. They provide a more wholesome engineering experience.
You get to apply your engineering knowledge in-depth. Problems you solve may have many
solutions. You also develop communication and time management skills. You become a team
player and learn from sources outside the classroom.
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2. A design project involves designing a machine, system or process. Starting from a need
statement you may go through several steps including background research, brainstorming of
ideas, engineering analysis/optimization and presentation of design, construction of models,
experimentation etc. Usually you write a short report to present your solutions.
3. A research project may involve a literature survey of assigned topics. You write short
technical paper highlighting significant information or trends. Sometimes you may need to
interpret the information you have researched.
4. Plan to do your work on time. Start working on the project right away when it is given. Put
some work daily until the project is complete. Dont wait until the last day before the
project is due. Follow proper technical writing format.

Peer Teachers:
1. To facilitate learning from peers, at the beginning of the semester, students who are doing
well may be assigned (suggested) as peer teachers by the lecturer. The class will get extra
help from these peer teachers since they are more accessible and are readily understood by
their peers. By teaching others, peer teachers gain in-depth knowledge and acquire teaching
skills as well. This is a win-win situation where everyone benefits. The lecturer may re-assign
or add more peer teachers as the semester progresses. Based on the performance of the peer
teachers and of the class, a certificate of recognition for peer teaching may be awarded by
the ME department at the end of the semester. You are encouraged to form study
groups and do some peer teaching as much as possible. ANYONE CAN BECOME A
PEER TEACHER.
2. The primary roles of peer teachers
a. Provide alternative explanation (how they understood) of topics/examples covered
in class/textbook.
b. Explain strategies for solving problems from the assignments, and explain solutions
given out by the lecturer.
c. Arrange short supplementary instruction/reflection sessions to class.
3. Peer teachers are encouraged to form study groups for cooperative learning. Study groups
promote teamwork and networking, which are essential in the engineering profession.
Sports may be a basis or a catalyst for formation of study groups.

Portfolio and Treasure Notebook:

1. Although not mandatory, you are encouraged to maintain a collection of major works you
have done during your time here as a student. The portfolio may contain project or
fieldtrip reports (short projects and also final year design project), major design problems
solved in courses, technical papers written as part of assessments, experimental reports from
major labs etc. Entries should be neatly organized, chronological, with proper titles and table
of content. Portfolios should showcase the best of your work. They are particularly
useful when applying for a job. You may highlight major works in your CV or show the
portfolio during an interview to distinguish yourself from others.
2. You should maintain a treasure notebook or journal which should contain nuggets of useful
knowledge or gems that will be vital for later courses, final year design project or your
engineering profession after graduation. Key principles/concepts, definitions,
formula/equations, analysis techniques, ideas, factual information should be recorded at
the first instance. You will come across these gems through readings, doing assignments
or attending lectures. It is very important that you understand and know how apply what
you have recorded. Be inquisitive and learn as much as possible.

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