Frequently Asked Questions

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== Should I take the subject this semester? ==
== Should I take the subject this semester? ==
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The following are the major differences between the fall and spring versions:
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* 6.034 is no longer offered in the Spring Semester.
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* Professor Patrick H. Winston is in charge in the fall.
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* In 2013, the fall version will again feature ''What I am Doing Now'' talks, by prominent MIT faculty and staff, that will complement Professor Winston's lectures.
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* In recent years, the most conspicuous feature of the fall version is that it focuses toward the end of the semester on models of aspects of human intelligence.
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See the Underground Guide for further guidance.
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* 2014 is way off the end of our planning horizon, so the 2014 version of the subject may be the same, similar, or completely different.
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<!--
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See the [https://sixweb.mit.edu/search/search?subject_num=6.034&term_season=Fall Underground Guide] for further guidance.
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-->
== Should I buy a book? ==
== Should I buy a book? ==
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No.  All the reading material you need will be online at zero cost.
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No.  All the reading material you need will be online at zero cost.  See the [[Reference material and playlist | references page]].
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== Am I expected to attend lectures, tutorials, the megarecitation, and the ordinary recitations? ==
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== Am I expected to attend lectures, tutorials, and the ''What I am Doing Now'' talks? ==
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Yes.  We believe that the lectures, tutorials, and recitations are all an
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Yes.  We believe that the lectures, tutorials, and talks are all an
important part of the MIT experience, and we work hard to make them
important part of the MIT experience, and we work hard to make them
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interesting and useful.
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interesting and useful.  When we develop the quizzes, we will include material that is presented only in lectures and talks.
<table cellpadding=5 border=1 cellspacing=0><tr><td>  
<table cellpadding=5 border=1 cellspacing=0><tr><td>  
<b>Element</b> </td><td><b>Purpose</b>  
<b>Element</b> </td><td><b>Purpose</b>  
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</td></tr><tr><td>Lectures </td><td>To introduce most of the material and provide the big picture. We often include questions on the quizzes and final that you can answer only by faithful lecture attendance.  
</td></tr><tr><td>Lectures </td><td>To introduce most of the material and provide the big picture. We often include questions on the quizzes and final that you can answer only by faithful lecture attendance.  
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<!--
</td></tr><tr><td>Mega recitation </td><td>To demonstrate how to work problems of the kind that tend to show up on the quizzes.
</td></tr><tr><td>Mega recitation </td><td>To demonstrate how to work problems of the kind that tend to show up on the quizzes.
</td></tr><tr><td>Regular recitations </td><td>To introduce some of the material, answer questions, provide additional perspective, and be a venue small enough for discussion.  
</td></tr><tr><td>Regular recitations </td><td>To introduce some of the material, answer questions, provide additional perspective, and be a venue small enough for discussion.  
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</td></tr><tr><td>Tutorials </td><td>To review lecture material, work through practice problems, get help with the homework, and have additional opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion in an even smaller venue.
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-->
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</td></tr><tr><td>Talks </td><td>To see what's happening in today's research projects in talks that complement the material presented in lectures.
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</td></tr><tr><td>Tutorials </td><td>To get help with the homework, review lecture material, work through practice problems, and have additional opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion in a small venue.
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr></table>
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The subject is not centered on programming, but a substantial fraction of the homework
The subject is not centered on programming, but a substantial fraction of the homework
requires an understanding of programming and working out some small programs.  The
requires an understanding of programming and working out some small programs.  The
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quizzes and final do not include questions that require any knowledge of Scheme or Python
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quizzes and final do not include questions that require any knowledge of Python
programming.   
programming.   
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Students who program but are unfamiliar with either Scheme or Python will have to spend a couple of
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Students who program but are unfamiliar with Python will have to spend a couple of
weekends to catch up;
weekends to catch up;
students with no programming experience are advised not to take the subject.
students with no programming experience are advised not to take the subject.
-->
-->
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== What about laptops, tablet computers, cell phones, and newspapers? ==
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Put them away.  Using a computer or cell phone or reading a newspaper insults instructors, which lowers the quality of teaching, which means that your classmates are getting less than they would if you were not there.
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Accordingly, we do not teach when computers or cell phones are in use or newspapers are being read.  There is an alternative to 6.034 that satisfies the same requirement; check with the instructor for the rules of engagement in that subject.
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== Do I have to take the final? ==
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You need not take the final if you are happy with the grade you will get based on the quizzes.  If you take the final, your grade may go up, but cannot go down.
== What can I bring to the quizzes and the final? ==
== What can I bring to the quizzes and the final? ==
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All quizzes and the final are open book, open notes, open problem sets and solutions,  
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You are allowed to bring any printed material you want (books, notes, problem sets and solutions, previous quizzes, etc).
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open everything, except for computers.
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You are allowed to bring tools such as calculators, clocks, rulers, slide rules, telescopes, etc.
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You may wear a costume.
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You are NOT allowed to bring cell phones, computers, iPads, etc (even if you turn off the wireless).
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== I missed recitation, can I get my quiz grade? ==
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== How do I get my quiz back? ==
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Quizzes are handed back in recitation the week of the quiz, and quizzes not picked up in recitation are handed back in tutorial the following weekAfter that, you can pick up all graded quizzes in Patrick Winston's office, [[http://www.csail.mit.edu/resources/maps/2/251.gif 32-251]].  Except under special circumstances (such as right before drop date), we will not give out quiz grades over email.
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Quizzes are handed back in the next tutorial.  If you choose not to go to tutorials, you have to pick up your quiz in Patrick Winston's office, [http://www.csail.mit.edu/resources/maps/2/251.gif 32-251].  Except under special circumstances (right before drop date, right before the final, or if you are physically unable to pick up your quiz), we will not give out quiz grades over email.
== Can I collaborate with friends on the homework? ==
== Can I collaborate with friends on the homework? ==
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See [[grading policy]].
See [[grading policy]].
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== What if I'm sick or miss a quiz for some other reason?==
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== What if I'm sick or have a conflict with a quiz?==
See [[grading policy]].
See [[grading policy]].

Revision as of 15:39, 2 September 2013

Contents

Should I take the subject this semester?

  • 6.034 is no longer offered in the Spring Semester.
  • In 2013, the fall version will again feature What I am Doing Now talks, by prominent MIT faculty and staff, that will complement Professor Winston's lectures.
  • 2014 is way off the end of our planning horizon, so the 2014 version of the subject may be the same, similar, or completely different.


Should I buy a book?

No. All the reading material you need will be online at zero cost. See the references page.

Am I expected to attend lectures, tutorials, and the What I am Doing Now talks?

Yes. We believe that the lectures, tutorials, and talks are all an important part of the MIT experience, and we work hard to make them interesting and useful. When we develop the quizzes, we will include material that is presented only in lectures and talks.


Element Purpose
Lectures To introduce most of the material and provide the big picture. We often include questions on the quizzes and final that you can answer only by faithful lecture attendance.
Talks To see what's happening in today's research projects in talks that complement the material presented in lectures.
Tutorials To get help with the homework, review lecture material, work through practice problems, and have additional opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion in a small venue.


What about laptops, tablet computers, cell phones, and newspapers?

Put them away. Using a computer or cell phone or reading a newspaper insults instructors, which lowers the quality of teaching, which means that your classmates are getting less than they would if you were not there.

Accordingly, we do not teach when computers or cell phones are in use or newspapers are being read. There is an alternative to 6.034 that satisfies the same requirement; check with the instructor for the rules of engagement in that subject.

Do I have to take the final?

You need not take the final if you are happy with the grade you will get based on the quizzes. If you take the final, your grade may go up, but cannot go down.

What can I bring to the quizzes and the final?

You are allowed to bring any printed material you want (books, notes, problem sets and solutions, previous quizzes, etc).

You are allowed to bring tools such as calculators, clocks, rulers, slide rules, telescopes, etc.

You may wear a costume.

You are NOT allowed to bring cell phones, computers, iPads, etc (even if you turn off the wireless).

How do I get my quiz back?

Quizzes are handed back in the next tutorial. If you choose not to go to tutorials, you have to pick up your quiz in Patrick Winston's office, 32-251. Except under special circumstances (right before drop date, right before the final, or if you are physically unable to pick up your quiz), we will not give out quiz grades over email.

Can I collaborate with friends on the homework?

See grading policy.

What is the final grade distribution likely to be?

See grading policy.

What if I'm sick or have a conflict with a quiz?

See grading policy.

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