CPSC 343 Course Policies

All course information, materials, and announcements will be posted on the course webpage and/or Canvas. You are expected to check Canvas and the schedule page regularly.

Individual communication will take place via email. You are expected to check your HWS email account regularly.

As with any course, you are expected to be on time and prepared to engage in the day's activities. Class sessions will often involve group activities, and being late or unprepared impacts others as well as yourself. During class, you are expected to be present and on task for the whole period - web surfing, texting, playing games, doing assignments for other courses, etc are not acceptable, nor is leaving during the session (absent an emergency). (Take care of any necessary business before or after class!)

You are encouraged to bring a laptop for use during in-class exercises if you can. However, many distractions are present on a computer and it is recommended that you turn off email and other notifications and close applications that are not needed for the current task in order to reduce the temptation of those distractions.

This course makes use of database and web servers set up specifically for this course, as well as the math/CS department webserver (math.hws.edu) and campus resources including Canvas and the Rosenberg 009 and Lansing 310 labs. If you run into a problem with a system that doesn't seem to be working as it should, please let me know.

You should regularly back up your work to protect against computer failures. This is automatically done nightly for the department's Linux filesystem; see the "Emergencies" section of Using Linux at HWS for more information. For course-related files on a personal computer, you can back them up by periodically copying them to your CS account. See the "SSH, SCP, SFTP" section of Using Linux at HWS for more information. Note that you should only do this for course-related work!

This course introduces many new terms and concepts, including multiple languages and sets of notation. This means that it is important to do the readings, to prepare for class and actively practice the material, and to keep up rather than letting things slide.

Daily Lessons: For most class sessions you will be expected to complete a lesson beforehand involving readings and/or videos and some questions about the material to help you self-assess what concepts you understand, learn what you don't, and identify where you have further questions. As the goal of these "quizzes" is self-assessment, grading is based on completeness (did you answer the questions?) rather than correctness.

Practice Problems: Trying to solve problems and applying concepts for yourself is essential for mastery. In most cases the Canvas discussion boards will be used for practice problems in order to facilitate peer feedback and encourage deeper engagement with the problems. You must post your answer before you can see others' responses, and you can earn up to three points for each problem: one point for posting an answer, an additional point if your answer is correct or you follow up with a correct answer and an explanation of what was wrong with the original answer, and one point for a correct and substantive comment on an answer different from your own (e.g. reflecting on the differences in approach if the answer is correct or explaining what the problem is if the answer is incorrect).

Project: A substantial course project involving the design and development of a database and application utilizing that database will provide a practical application for the course material. Work on the project will begin early in the semester; the timeline can be found on the schedule page.

Exams: There will be five in-class hour exams and a two-hour in-class cumulative final exam. Dates are on the schedule page. More about the topics covered and the format of the exams will be announced closer to the exam dates.

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

• Daily Lessons: 5%
• Practice Problems: 10%
• Project: 25%
• Hour Exams: 50% (10% each)
• Final Exam: 10%

Note that there is a lot of weight on the exams! The final exam will provide a limited second chance to make up for difficulties on earlier hour exams, but your best strategy is to take the daily lesson self-assessments and especially the practice problems seriously so that you are prepared for the exams. You are strongly encouraged to do more than the minimum number of practice problems and should come to office hours early and often if you are struggling with a particular topic.

You are expected to be on time for all class sessions, and to be present and engaged in the course for the full period. Any absence, whatever the reason, means that you miss out on discussions and activities that take place in class. This puts a greater burden on you to catch up, and students who regularly miss class often end up not doing as well in the course. In addition, announcements are made at the beginning of class, and late arrivals may miss important information.

However, while you should make every effort to attend class, it is understood that there may be extenuating circumstances which make attending every class difficult. It is especially important that you follow current guidelines with respect to COVID, including quarantining if you test positive and/or have symptoms.

If you cannot attend class, please let me know as soon as possible and make sure that you check the schedule page for new assignments and materials from class, complete any missed readings or other tasks, and come to office hours if you have any questions or need help with any aspect of the material. This should be done promptly to avoid falling behind.

If you miss more than three classes during the semester or if you miss several classes in a row, you are at greater risk for falling behind. In that case, please see me as soon as possible to discuss options for helping you stay on track.

Any handouts, examples, slides, and other materials from class will be posted on the course website (on the schedule page) and/or on Canvas. If you miss class, you should review this material as soon as possible and seek help at office hours as needed.

Late handins refer to assignments being accepted for grading after the due date. In the case of a last-minute emergency that prevents an on-time handin of already-completed work, notify me as soon as possible and make arrangements to complete the handin promptly. This is not an extension of time to complete the assignment.

• Daily lessons will generally not be accepted late as the primary purpose of these exercises is to be prepared for class and to determine what needs more attention in class. However, an occasional late handin (after the due date but still before class) will not directly impact your grade.

• Practice problems will only be accepted late up to the end of the designated "practice problem cutoff" as new material is best practiced promptly and the value of these exercises is diminished if they are not completed prior to needing to use those skills. Even though there is no direct penalty for late handins (prior to each cutoff), note that a pattern of late handins is a sign that you are falling behind - come discuss a plan for getting back on track.

• Project phases will be accepted up to a week late. The timeline for the project is structured so that there is steady progress throughout the semester, and so that there is time to get feedback on earlier steps before proceeding with things that depend on those earlier steps. Late handins cut into the time you have for the next phase.

Extensions allow handins after the due date without penalty, whether or not late handins are allowed for the assignment. Extensions are expected to be rare, as taking more time for one thing cuts into the time available for the next, and are primarily intended for when there is an extended absence or issue that affects a significant amount of the time for an assignment. In such a case, contact me as soon as possible to discuss a timeline for completing the missing work.

• Extensions will not be granted for daily lessons. However, an occasional missed (or after class) submission will not directly impact your grade.

All exams are in class. Every effort should be made to attend class and take the exams at the scheduled times. If you have an unavoidable conflict and are unable to attend class on an exam date due to scheduled things such as sports competitions, official Colleges activities such as musical performances or debate competitions, academically-related events such as attending a conference, job interviews, or religious observances, you must make arrangements in advance for rescheduling the exam (typically as soon as possible after the scheduled date). In the case of a last-minute illness or a personal or family emergency that causes you to miss class on an exam date, you must contact me as soon as possible to arrange a make-up time. In all cases, you may not discuss anything related to the exam until you have completed it. Note that leaving early for a vacation, being busy, needing more time to study, or having a bunch of assignments or exams due at the same time are not considered reasons for rescheduling an exam. However, if you have three final exams on the same day, you may request that one of them be moved to a different time period.

No work will be accepted after the end of the Registrar-scheduled final exam time slot except in the case of an incomplete. The final exam cannot be rescheduled without the authorization of your dean.

The HWS Principle of Academic Integrity governs all of the work completed in this course. Students should read the full policy.

For this course:

• Exams assess your mastery of the course material. These must be completed solely by the student whose name is on the paper. Only resources allowed in the exam instructions may be used, and the only person you may discuss the exam with is the instructor.

• Daily lessons and practice problems are for learning and practice - a low-stakes way to learn new things and determine what needs further attention. Discussing with others and getting help from others is fine, but:

  • The first attempt on every problem should be on your own. These tasks are an opportunity for you to test your understanding before class and exams. If all your work is with others, you can't determine what you do or don't know.

  • Write up your solution independently and in your own words. Discuss a tricky point with a friend, but then apply the resolution on your own to make sure you understand it. Do not sit down with a friend and complete a problem or a whole assignment together. For practice problems, you must post in the discussion thread before seeing other solutions; do not edit your initial post if you realize later that your solution is incorrect but instead post a reply with an explanation of the problem along with the correct answer.

  • Make sure that you fully understand the solution and where it comes from. (You should be able to explain it to someone else.)

• The project falls in between practice and demonstration of mastery - it is a significant task where skills are demonstrated but is also a learning opportunity. Getting help from others and looking for technical references on the Internet is fine, but looking for solutions and passing the work of others off as your own (which is what happens if you take solutions from elsewhere) is not - what you hand in must be your work, that is your ideas and your effort. (In the case of libraries or other packages that you might want to use, ask first.)

Violations can result in anything from a warning to point deductions or a 0 on the assignment for the first offense. A second such offense is grounds for failure in the course. Cases may also be referred to the Committee on Standards. Note that the HWS Principle of Academic Integrity states:

Academic dishonesty is determined in every case by the evidence presented and not by intent. Questions of intent and circumstances under which an infraction occurred may be considered in determining a sanction.

There are no exceptions to this policy; ignorance of the policy and desperation ("It was the night before it was due and there wasn't anyone else to ask!") are specifically not excuses for violating the policy. If you are having trouble with the course material, come to the instructor! - it is never advantageous to "borrow" someone else's solution, and the time spent trying to disguise this "borrowing" is far better spent getting help.

There is a lot of new material in this course, and at any point you will likely have several active assignments: daily lessons, practice problems, the project, and possibly an exam. Don't fall behind! It is important that you budget your time so that you can fit all of these things in and get them in on time. Dates for major assignments and exams are on the schedule page.

Topics introduced earlier are used and built on later in the course. Review each day's material soon after class and start on practice problems early, and seek help promptly if you are stuck on something or want to discuss ideas. Letting a point of confusion slide often snowballs, and it is easy to find yourself falling behind if that happens.

It is also important that you take responsibility for your own learning and do enough problems to master the material, seeking out help as needed. Do the practice problems provided (even more than the minimum requirement) and pay attention to the feedback!

Note taking on paper is encouraged as it avoids the distraction of electronic devices and the act of handwriting helps with retention of information. (Anything that appears on the projector screen - slides, examples, 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.) 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.

A useful strategy for note-taking is to (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.

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.

Your primary resource if you need help with any aspect of the course material is the instructor - ask questions during class, stop by office hours, send email, or drop by or schedule a meeting.

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):

At Hobart and William Smith Colleges, we encourage you to learn collaboratively and to seek the resources that will enable you to succeed. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is one of those resources: CTL programs and staff help you engage with your learning, accomplish the tasks before you, enhance your thinking and skills, and empower you to do your best. Resources at CTL are many: Teaching Fellows provide content support in 16 departments, Study Mentors help you manage your time and responsibilities, Writing Fellows help you think well on paper, and professional staff help you assess academic needs.

I encourage you to explore these and other CTL resources designed to encourage your very best work. You can talk with me about these resources, visit the CTL office on the 2nd floor of the library to discuss options with the staff, or visit the CTL website.

Study Mentors: The CTL resource especially valuable to students either just starting college OR adjusting to the demands of their choice of Major is the Study Mentor program. Study Mentors engage directly with each student in the process of adjusting to new academic demands: they help you find the time you need for both your academic and co-curricular activities, and can help you find strategies to accomplish the tasks in front of you and enhance your reading and study time. Study Mentors may be especially important for those of you who are involved in many activities, work on or off campus, are studying for Teaching Certification, graduate school exams, or prepping for fellowships, or who have one or more unusually demanding courses on your schedule. To meet with a Study Mentor, make an appointment via StudyHub on the CTL website. You can also contact Ingrid Keenan, x3832, keenan@hws.edu, or drop in at the CTL office on the 2nd floor of the library.

Disability accommodations:

If you are a student with a disability for which you may need accommodations and are new to our office, you should self-identify for services by scheduling a Welcome meeting (link to do so is on the top right of our webpage) with Disability Services at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Disability related accommodations and services will be provided when the registration and documentation process is complete. The guidelines for documenting disabilities can be found at the following website: http://www.hws.edu/academics/ctl/disability_services.aspx

Returning students may request their accommodation letter by emailing the request to the CTL@hws.edu or by using the link on the top right of our webpage to schedule a meeting should you feel one is necessary.

Please direct questions about this process or Disability Services at HWS to ctl@hws.edu or x3351. Jamie Slusser, Disability Services Administrator & Accommodation Specialist and Christen Davis, Associate Director of CTL for Disability Services are the main contact staff for Disability Services.

last updated: --Fri Aug 19 00:55:18 EDT 2022--
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