Problem set
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A problem set is a teaching tool used by many universities, mostly for university students studying physics, math, engineering, chemistry, computer science, economics or a similar subject.
It is essentially a list of several mildly difficult problems or exercises based on material already taught, which the student is expected to solve with a full written solution. There is usually no further research involved, and the goal is learn and become familiar with the material and solving typical problems.[1][2] They are usually issued once every week or two weeks, and due one or two weeks later.[3][2] They are usually given a low weight, between 10% and 25% of the total mark of the course for all problem sets put together,[3] and sometimes will count for nothing if the student receives a better grade on the exam.
Many students work in groups to solve them and help get a better understanding of the material, but most professors require each student to hand in their own individual problem set. Some professors explicitly encourage collaboration,[3][4] some allow it, and some explicitly disallow it[1] or consider it cheating. Most, however, do not, because they see the goal as primarily pedagogical.[4] For larger, more important assignments, students are still expected to work independently.
Collaboration on problem sets has caused controversy, including a media storm around a student of Ryerson University who started a forum on the social networking site Facebook for others to post their solutions.[4][5] Despite passing the class, the professor failed him for his actions and he was expelled, though the university senate overturned the expulsion, and gave him a zero grade for the assignments done using Facebook.[6]
[edit] Examples
- An example of a typical problem set, from MIT's relativity (physics) class
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- A list of all of the problem sets from that class, on MIT OpenCourseWare. In this case they are collectively worth 20% of the total mark.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Course Policy for a physics course at the University of Virginia
- ^ a b Caltech quantum mechanics course page
- ^ a b c Ohio State University economics syllabus
- ^ a b c James Bradshaw (March 12, 2008). Ryerson student cheered at expulsion hearing. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved on June 10, 2008.
- ^ Louise Brown (March 6, 2008). Student faces Facebook consequences. Toronto Star. Retrieved on June 10, 2008.
- ^ T.O. student won't be expelled over Facebook group. CTV (March 18, 2008). Retrieved on June 10, 2008.
