CS 311 - Administrivia

Handouts, announcements, etc.

All handouts will be distributed on the course web page. This will include lecture notes/slides, assignments and other handouts. You are responsible for all material and announcements posted on the class web page, so please check it regularly. If this is a problem for anyone, feel free to come talk to me. For time critical announcements, I will use e-mail.

Coursework

Grade calculation
- 38% assignments
- 7% quizzes
- 25% exams (12.5% each)
- 25% final project
- 5% participation
Assignments - There will be around four assignments, approximately every 2 weeks. Assignments will involve coding up material we've discussed in class in Python and possibly a short write-up. Some assignments will be able to be done in pairs if desired.
Written problems - Approximately every week, I will post written problems related to class material and reading content. These problems are optional and will not be handed in or graded, but will be very helpful to you in understanding the material and preparing you for assignments and exams.
Quizzes - Two or three times throughout the semester will will have an unannounced quiz at the beginning of class. The quiz will cover one or two very small problems directly related to the most recent written problems (most often, I will just ask you one of the written problems).
Exams - There will be two non-cumulative exams throughout the semester covering course material. See the class web page for exact dates.
Final project - During the last month of the semester, you will complete a final project in pairs or triplets. You will propose a project related to something covered in the course. The project will require implementation, experimentation, a final paper discussing your solution and related literature in the area and a final presentation at the end of the semester.
Participation - Participation consists of attending class regularly and of giving evidence that you are actively engaged with the material (asking/answering questions in lecture, coming to office hours, etc).

Late policy

I understand that sometimes things get busy, things come up, you get sick, etc. To help in these situations, you may submit one assignment late by 24 hours. If you're going to turn an assignment in late, please e-mail me to let me know. Beyond this, except under very extenuating circumstantces, I will not accept late assignments.

Honor code and collaboration

I take the honor code and academic honesty very seriously.

You are encouraged to get together in small groups to discuss material from the lectures and text. However, the work that you turn in must be done independently, unless an assignment is explicitly designated as one in which collaboration is allowed.

In particular, your work must not be based on information obtained from sources other than those approved for the course (i.e., the text, web pages linked from the course web page, and materials provided in lecture). You should never copy another students code or solutions, exchange computer files, or share your code or solutions with anyone else in the class until after an assignment is due. You may, however, use any code that we provide to you or that comes from the textbook, as long as you acknowledge the source. Additionally, the tutors are allowed to help you with your code.

If you are working with others on an assignment, I suggest the following procedure: spend as much time as you need working with others to understand the problems. When you're ready to start on your own take a break and then go back and write your programs without the notes you used while working with the others. This will help ensure that you follow both the letter and the spirit of the honor code.

If you are ever unsure about what constitutes acceptable collaboration, please ask!

Computer use during class

I will post all my lecture notes, etc. on the course web page. If you feel the need to take additional notes on your laptop during lectures, that's fine. However, you should not be using your laptop during class for other purposes (e-mail, IM, web browsing, games, etc.).

Disabilities accomodations

Students with documented disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact me as early in the semester as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Assistance is available to eligible students through the ADA Office. Please contact Jodi Litchfield, the ADA Coordinator, at litchfie@middlebury.edu or 802-443-5936 for more information. All discussions will remain confidential.