FAQ

Frequently asked questions about course arrangements

Q: Why the course material is so poor?

A: Simply, there isn't enough time to produce complete material in two languages:( It is also needless, when we have so good books about the subject. As mentioned earlier, there isn't any "official" course book, but it is recommendable to consult different books to get different views. Especially in problem-based learning the "ready-chewed" material is not recommened. I have given up the trial of translating all Finnish lecture notes to English, because they were not found usefull and still required enormous time. (Of course you can still utilize Finnish material - they contain quite a lot of examples! If you'd like to have the latex files, just ask me.) And it is always recommendable that you make your own material! You can chech in the week program what is the next topic in the course.

Q: How the course is evaluated?

A: You have 3 choices:

1. Problem-based learning, when problems reports weigh 50%, exercises 25% and learning diary 25% of the total grade.
2. Traditional system, when you have to perform two course exams and exercises. Exercises give 25% of points (1/3 of tasks is obligatory, but all points are counted) and exams 75%.
3. Final exam, when the grade is determined by the exam only.

In the problem-based learning all parts must be accepted. From exercises you get points in the same way as in choice 2 (1/3 obligatory, all point counted). Each problem report, which is returned before deadline, gives 0-3 points, look at page problems.
The learning diary is evaluated in the end of the course, but parts of it have to be returned weekly so that we can give and get feedback and your process is going. One very important criterion in accepting learning diary is that the process is continuous i.e. that you return at least something every week. The amount can naturally vary weekly: write more or less depending on your time, mood and learning.
It is difficult to give any strict criteria for learning diaries, because very different learning diaries can be good. You can still look at features of a good learning diary or ask those, who have made really brilliant diaries, to show their own. Creativeness, analysis of your own learning, and processing what you have learnt are in!

Q: Do I get points, if I have done just the 1/3 of exercises?

A: Yes, we agreed that it is fairest. Each exercise you have done is counted. However it is really recommended to do as many exercises as possible - I wish you are not learning for the grade or passage of the course, but for yourself!

Q: What kind project reports we should make?

A: The problems are so different that it is difficult to give any exact instructions, but you can look at the general guidelines.

Q: Can we get this example into net?

A: Sure! If somebody just could edit it... It is really labourous to edit pictures, but I can even give extrapoints for those, who take a part in producing learning material!

Q: Do we have to be able to program with C/Java/Modula2/Scheme/etc.?

A: No special programming skills are needed. However, it is recommended that you use some familiar programming language like Pascal, C, C++, Java (so your tutors will understand your code and the features we study won't disappear into middle of new language). We will have some programming tasks so that you keep the connection into real life in your mind. Still not any particuliar language is needed either in exercises or in problems. In the problems you can always change the language to something more familiar and you can ask your group or tutor, what feature was concerned. (The features try to be "universal", like function specification, loop structure, conditional statement).