  A self-training scheme geared at inducing students to improve their skills
through independent homework is presented. The motivation is to identify an
inexpensive, yet effective tool for raising the competence level of students in
the Fundamental Sciences (in particular Physics). Since globally existing
financial restrictions do not allow for extensive supervised work, a scheme is
devised where the additional personal training is rewarded through bonuses in
the grade, while safeguarding against the danger of cheating. Overburdening the
instructors is avoided through the use of computer-based grading of homework,
while a carefully chosen bonus plan, weighted by the grades obtained in
supervised tests, counters the effects of potential cheating.
