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A problem set, sometimes shortened as pset,cite-ref-1[1] is a teaching tool used by many universities. Most courses in physics, math, engineering, chemistry, and computer science will regularly give problem sets.cite-ref-2[2] They can also appear in other subjects, such as economics.

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 no further research involved, and the goal is to learn and become familiar with the material and solving typical problems.cite-ref-va-3-0[3]cite-ref-caltech-4-0[4] They are usually issued once every week or two weeks, and due one or two weeks later.cite-ref-caltech-4-1[4]cite-ref-ohio-5-0[5] If used as part of a summative assessment they are usually given a low weight,cite-ref-cheered-6-0[6] between 10% and 25% of the total mark of the course for all problem sets put together,cite-ref-va-3-1[3]cite-ref-ohio-5-1[5] and sometimes will count for nothing if the student receives a better grade on the exam. Alternatively, problem sets may be used purely for formative assessment and do not count towards a degree.

Many students work in groups to solve them and help get a better understanding of the material,cite-ref-cheered-6-1[6]cite-ref-torstar-7-0[7] but most professors require each student to hand in their own individual problem set. Some professors explicitly encourage collaboration,cite-ref-ohio-5-2[5]cite-ref-cheered-6-2[6] some allow it, and some explicitly disallow itcite-ref-va-3-2[3] or consider it cheating. Most, however, do not disallow collaboration, because they see the goal as primarily pedagogical.cite-ref-cheered-6-3[6] This is to be distinguished from larger, more important assignments, for which students are still expected to work independently.

Collaboration on problem sets has caused controversy, including a media storm around a student of Toronto Metropolitan University, Chris Avenir, who started a forum on the social networking site Facebook for others to post their solutions.cite-ref-cheered-6-4[6]cite-ref-torstar-7-1[7] The professor failed him for his actions and recommended him for expulsion; the university faculty appeal committee overturned the recommended penalty and instead gave a zero grade for the assignments that were done through the course of the semester.cite-ref-8[8]

• Examples

• References

• An example of a typical problem set, from MIT's relativity (physics) class 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.

cite-note-11. ↑ "The Process of Psetting".

cite-note-22. ↑ citerefcurzanlisa-damour2006Curzan, Anne; Lisa Damour (2006). First Day to Final Grade: A Graduate Student's Guide to Teaching. University of Michigan Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN 0-472-03188-0.

cite-note-va-33. ↑ Course Policy for a physics course at the University of Virginia Archived 2007-12-13 at the Wayback Machine

cite-note-caltech-44. ↑ Caltech quantum mechanics course page Archived 2008-06-28 at the Wayback Machine

cite-note-ohio-55. ↑ Ohio State University economics syllabus

cite-note-cheered-66. ↑ citerefjames-bradshaw2008James Bradshaw (March 12, 2008). "Ryerson student cheered at expulsion hearing". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 10, 2008.

cite-note-torstar-77. ↑ citereflouise-brown2008Louise Brown (March 6, 2008). "Student faces Facebook consequences". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 10, 2008.

cite-note-88. ↑ "T.O. student won't be expelled over Facebook group". CTV News. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2008.