CPSC 331 Assessment and Policies

Reading: Readings are listed on the schedule page on the day when they will be discussed in class. Readings are the first introduction for most material — it often takes more than one encounter to fully absorb something, and class time is more effective if it can be used to fill in the gaps and answer questions about things you have already started to think about. You are encouraged to complete the assigned reading before class to identify the main ideas and note questions, and then revisit the reading after class to more fully understand the material.

Homework and projects: Many of the homeworks will involve simulation to explore aspects of how real systems behave, with written answers about what you observe. The programming projects are an opportunity to delve a little deeper into Unix systems and how operating systems really work.

Revise and resubmit: Learning is an iterative process, and mistakes are a natural and valuable part of that process. For this reason, most assignments in this course include a revise-and-resubmit option. This policy is designed to provide you with feedback and a second opportunity to demonstrate improved understanding and mastery — provided you actively engage with the feedback and revision process. Revision requires something meaningful to revise, so the initial handin should reflect a substantive, good-faith effort i.e. a majority of the required problems have been attempted and the submission reflects a reasonable amount of time and engagement. Work that appears rushed, minimal, or perfunctory does not qualify. If you are stuck on a problem, come to office hours before the assignment is due.

Exams: Exams assess what you, individually, have mastered. There will be four exams — three in-class during the semester and the fourth during part of the final exam timeslot. The final exam, in the remainder of the final exam timeslot, provides a second chance to demonstrate mastery of material covered on earlier exams.

Grades: Final grades in this course will be computed as follows:

• Homework: 15%
• Projects: 15%
• Exams 1-3: 22.5% (7.5% each)
• Exam 4: 10%
• Final exam: 37.5%

A weighted average of 70 or higher on the exams is required in order to earn a C- or better in the course.

Staying on schedule is essential as there is a steady workload of assignments — a late or incomplete handin (whatever the reason) on one assignments takes away time from the next, and students who submit late or incomplete assignments more than once or twice often fall into a pattern of repeated lateness which significantly harms learning and performance.

That being said, it is also understood that there may be occasional conflicts or time crunches where a little flexibility is needed and as a result, late work is discouraged but not directly penalized. The bottom line:

• Hand in something on time, even if it is incomplete. Assignments are graded only at designated times (initial handin and resubmit); work that is not in my possession at the time of grading (for hardcopy handins such as homework) or printing (for electronic handins such as applications labs) may miss the grading window. If you miss one grading window you are still eligible to submit for the next, however, an assignment may not be graded if you miss the last grading window for that assignment.

• Use resubmits to improve, not to delay. While resubmits provide second chances, letting work accumulate or treating resubmits as a way to catch up later is not a path to success in this course. Late work should be rare, not routine. If you have more than one incomplete handin or will miss an initial handin entirely, be in touch as soon as possible.

• For short, last-minute emergencies, communicate promptly. In the case of a last-minute emergency (illness, printer issues, etc) that prevents an on-time handin, let me know and hand in the assignment as soon as possible (typically within a few hours). Emailing the assignment is acceptable if it is not feasible to hand in the assignment properly but should not be a routine method of handin.

• For known conflicts, plan ahead. If you know in advance that you will miss class when an assignment is due, arrangements must be made ahead of time to ensure the work is submitted on time.

No work will be accepted after the end of the Registrar-scheduled final exam time slot except in the case of an incomplete.

There is a steady schedule of assignments — don't fall behind! Review each day's material soon after class, start on assignments early (it is better to spend some time each day than to set aside a large block of time the night before the assignment is due), ask questions, and take advantage of office hours if you are stuck on something or want to discuss ideas. Letting a point of confusion slide can quickly snowball and then it is very difficult to catch up.

Note taking on paper is encouraged as it avoids the distraction of electronic devices and the act of handwriting helps with retention of information. If you do use a laptop or other device to take notes, you are encouraged to turn off notifications and close other applications to reduce the temptation of those distractions. Either way, anything that appears on the projector screen — slides or code — will be posted on the schedule page soon after class, so you don't need to copy down all of that material in your notes. I recommend that you (only) make note of key ideas and examples during class and then rewrite your notes, filling in other details and relevant information, soon after class. This allows you to pay more attention during class, increases your engagement with the material, and helps you identify what you need to ask questions about.

There are many resources to help you be successful in the course:

• The primary resources for this course are the course website and the materials provided in class, the textbook, and office hours. Start with these! (If you can't make the scheduled drop-in office hours, email me to arrange another time.)

• For more general help, such as with writing, study skills, or time management, you are encouraged to check out the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). See the CTL Syllabus Statement below.

• Your dean is an important and valuable resource. See the HWS Deans' Syllabus Statement below.

• For accommodations, see the Office of Disability Services Syllabus Statement below.

• For help or support with mental health or other issues, contact the Counseling Center, or reach out to me, your dean, or anyone else you feel comfortable talking to.

Finally, if there is something related to the course format or materials that would help you be more successful in the course, please come discuss it with me.

last updated: --Wed Jan 21 05:47:00 EST 2026--
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