Homework is assigned to help students prepare for exams and is absolutely crucial. Essentially, all the grader does in checking homework is to inspect it is being done and assigns credit on the basis of what has been done, not on its correctness. Since student's are supplied with solutions, it is the students' responsibility to insure their answers are correct and that they understand the material. Review sessions are where students' questions and problems are answered. See Phy 211 homework or Phy 212 homework for assigned problems.
Every student is to maintain an organized collection of their written work in a large binder.
At mid-semester it will be checked during lab and then again during the final exam. It is an historical record of the student's performance and development through the course. In addition it will be a valuable reference and resource for the student. Portfolios will be evaluated and counted in the homework grade. Keep in mind, while it does take some effort to maintain a portfolio, it is not an academic project.