Disclaimers

Attendance:

    Attendance is required and an important factor in doing well in the class.
 

Late assignments

No late assignments will be accepted and there are no make-up exams or quizzes.
Discuss unusual circumstances in advance with the instructor.
 

Computer use and accounts:

    You will need to be familiar with and have access to a web browser since many handouts for the course will be made available only on the web. In addition, email will be widely used for announcements regarding the course -- you must read your email regularly.
 

Collaboration:

    Discussion of concepts is encouraged, but, unless otherwise specified, all assignments must be done on your own. If you use a source other than the text (e.g., another book or a person), reference it.

    Recall that the definition of scholastic dishonesty includes

    • acquiring answers from any unauthorized source,
    • working with another person when not specifically permitted,
    • providing answers when not specifically authorized to do so,
    • failing to credit sources used,
    • observing the work of other students during any exam,
    • and informing any person of the contents of an exam prior to the exam.
    Disciplinary actions range from grade penalty to expulsion.

    The Honor Code applies to all examinations and programs. Plagiarism is copying or imitating the language and thoughts of others, whatever the medium (computer program or written paper). All work on the exams and the pledged programs must be done individually.

Collaboration & Computer Science
Well-intentioned students sometimes become confused when applying this definition to code and programming. Source code that you get from some source (including the web, other people, books, articles, etc.) other than your own interpretation of the course work and course materials can *sometimes* be used.

If your reason for doing so is a variant of one of the following, you might be able to use it.

  1. "I couldn't figure out how to make part X of the assignment work."
  2. "It would've taken too long."

If you ever do so, however, you are responsible for STRICTLY documenting where you obtained it. Failure to do so will be considered plagarism. You are also responsible for documenting how you used it; and why you didn't write it yourself from scratch. In addition, you MUST fully understand the code -- how it works and what it does -- before submitting it with your own. And finally, you should expect to lose some points on your grade, depending on how great a percentage of your work it solves.

Please note that unless you are specifically instructed otherwise, the following and their variants are unacceptable:

  • "It wasn't the interesting part of the exercise."
  • "I figured you wouldn't mind."
  • "I knew that Student X was using it."