There will be homework assignments and a programming project (no exams). You will not be required to turn in homework assignments, but you are encouraged to do so, via email, at any time--feel free to submit incomplete solutions and ask for help if you are stuck. These homework assignments will not count as part of the course grade; they mainly are for you to get some practice with and test your comprehension of the ideas discussed in class. Looking at your solutions and questions also helps me assess which points need further discussion and which don't.
The course grade will be based mainly on your project, including a detailed written report and a presentation of it to the rest of the class near the end of the term. It will be a team project. Requirements on team size and further details are given in a later section.