EE278: Course InformationStanford University, Ayfer Özgür and Tsachy Weissman, Fall 2026
Course Details
Instructors
Teaching Assistant
GradingThe course grade is based on weekly quizzes, lecture scribing, two midterms, and a final exam. Weekly quizzes: 20% Homework does not count toward the course grade (0%). The grading breakdown is subject to change. Weekly QuizzesWeekly quizzes are a regular checkpoint to help you stay on track with the course, practice the week's material, and identify gaps in your understanding before exams. The learning happens when you attempt the questions and work through the ideas behind your answers. We recommend completing quizzes without AI to get a clear picture of what you understand. Responsible AI use for learning is permitted under the same Collaboration and AI Policies that apply to lecture scribing; it is optional, and the same rules apply to everyone. An answer you cannot explain is not a substitute for learning: aim to solve similar problems independently on exams, where AI is not allowed. Lecture ScribingEach student will independently scribe one lecture during the quarter. Multiple students will be assigned to the same lecture. Scribing means preparing clear, organized lecture notes that classmates can use to study. Explain the main ideas in your own words, define the notation, and include important definitions, results, derivations, and worked examples. The notes should make the reasoning easy to follow when reviewing the material after class. Lecture scribing follows the same Collaboration and AI Policies as weekly quizzes: we recommend working without AI, while permitting responsible AI use for learning. Lecture assignments are made randomly; see the assignment PDF posted on Ed for your lecture number and date. We will periodically update the list as students join and leave the class, but existing assignments will not change without notification. Swaps and requests to change lectures are not permitted. You may use the lecture recording in Canvas under Panopto Course Videos if you cannot attend your assigned lecture. Submission: Create an Ed post under your name, visible to the whole class, and attach your notes as one PDF. Include your name, lecture number, and lecture date in the PDF and Ed post title. No Gradescope submission is needed. Scribing is worth 10% of the course grade. Deadline: 11:59 pm Pacific time four calendar days after your lecture: Saturday for Tuesday lectures, and Monday for Thursday lectures. If you cannot meet the deadline, write to Andy to request an extension. All submitted scribes will be available on Ed as student-written study resources. You are welcome to read classmates' notes, ask questions, comment, and point out mistakes constructively. Discussion and corrections after posting are encouraged; please update your post if you revise your notes and briefly explain the changes. You are also welcome to scribe additional lectures voluntarily and post your notes on Ed. Voluntary notes do not replace the required submission for your assigned lecture. If your name is missing from the assignment list, contact Andy. HomeworkHomework is worth 0% of the course grade, so submission is not required. Nevertheless, we encourage everyone to:
Homework and solutions are available in Canvas under Files. ExamsThere will be two midterms and a final exam. Further exam details will be announced.
Course PlatformsLecture recordings: Lectures are recorded and available in Canvas under Panopto Course Videos. If you are not automatically enrolled in Gradescope or Ed, use the corresponding access details below:
PrerequisitesEE178 (Probability) or equivalent, some basic linear algebra, and knowledge of a language like MATLAB or Python to do some simple simulation exercises. Basic knowledge of signal processing and fourier transforms is helpful but not required. For a probability refresher, see the EE 178 notes by Professor David Tse and Professor Abbas El Gamal on the References page. Collaboration and AI PoliciesComplete weekly quizzes individually and prepare your assigned lecture notes independently. After notes are posted on Ed, reading, discussion, feedback, and corrections are encouraged. The same AI policy applies to quizzes and scribing: we recommend completing the work without AI to build and assess your own understanding. AI assistance is permitted for learning after you have made a genuine attempt on your own. If you choose to use it, check its output for accuracy and make sure you understand and can explain everything you submit in your own words. Using AI to produce work you do not understand defeats the purpose of these activities. For ungraded homework, we encourage learning with other people after a genuine attempt on your own. Responsible AI use for learning is also permitted after that initial attempt. Both midterms and the final exam must be completed individually, without AI assistance or collaboration with other people. The goal of quizzes, scribing, and homework is to develop the understanding and problem-solving skills you will need to use independently on exams. |