Questions
Prerequisites
What are the course prerequisites?
Like all courses at IIT Gandhinagar, the course has no formal prerequisites. It assumes a basic understanding of programming in Python.
What is the prerequisite exam?
An exam designed to make sure you have the background needed for the course.
How can I prepare for the prerequisite exam?
Your undergraduate course material should be enough.
What happens if I do not clear the prerequisite exam?
You will not be allowed to take the course.
What does “clear” the exam mean?
As in all courses at IIT Gandhinagar, the instructor decides the cut-off, and you must score above it. The cut-off is not revealed to students beforehand.
Laptops
Can I use my laptop or phone in class?
No, not for any reason, unless it is a lab session where the instructor has explicitly allowed laptops.
Quizzes
What if I miss a quiz?
- The quiz is marked 0.
- The best 3 of 4 rule is designed for such cases.
Are the quizzes and the end-semester exam open book? Can I carry notes?
No. Exams and quizzes are closed book, and you may not carry notes.
When do I get my answer sheets back?
Within 4 to 5 working days.
Is there a mid-semester or end-semester exam?
Two of the four quizzes are held in the mid-semester and end-semester exam slots. The other two are held during the semester.
Are the quizzes multiple-choice or written?
They may contain both multiple-choice and written questions.
Assignments
What if I miss an assignment?
There are no extensions for assignments.
I have a doubt about an assignment. Whom should I ask?
Ask on the #assignments channel on Slack. If you get no response within 2 days, write to the course instructor.
I do not know Python. Can I write assignments in another language?
No. Assignments must be in Python.
How are assignments evaluated?
Each assignment is followed by a viva. The TAs first check the code against the submission; any change from the submitted code is not allowed and leads to a warning. The TAs then run the code and ask a few questions: about 75% on the assignment and about 25% on the theory behind the concepts it covers.
The marks are split as follows: the code runs correctly and solves the problem (50%); questions on the assignment and your understanding of the code (25%); code quality (12.5%); questions on the theory (12.5%).
Are assignments individual or group?
Group. All team members get the same grade for the assignment.
Attendance
What is the attendance policy?
See Attendance and Leave on the Assessment page.
Auditing
Can I audit the course?
You are free to attend the lectures. However, with a limited number of TAs and a large number of students, your submissions cannot be graded, and you cannot formally contribute to a team’s assignments.
Computational resources
Will we get cloud credits?
Google has typically provided cloud credits, which are more than enough for the assignments. This section was to be updated once the credits were available.