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Course Policies

Grading Policy:

Evaluation Method
Weight
Assignments
20%
Project
30%
Final Exam
50%
Total
100%


General Rules:
  • Anything handed in after 5:00PM on the due date will be penalized by 50% for each 24 hours of lateness.
  • All homework (assignemnts) is to be done individually. If you have any homework problems, you are urged to bring your questions to the professor or the TA. Your assignment will not be graded if answers are provided without explanations, if student's name is missing or if some pages are missing.
  • All exams (including the final exam) will be in-class, closed book exams. The final exam will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire course.
  • All tests are required, and you should make every effort to take the scheduled test. In the event that you have an emergency beyond your control and cannot take a test, please notify your instructor in advance if possible. At the next lecture period, submit a written statement explaining why you missed the test. Perhaps, some combination of other grades will be assigned as the grade for the missed test for those who follow the rules above. An oral examination, a substantial lab problem, or a comprehensive test during the final period are other possibilities. The choice belongs to the instructor. IMPORTANT: missing a test does not automatically allow you to substitute other work for a test grade.
  • The work submitted for grading must be your own work. It is reasonable to discuss with others possible general approaches to problems. It is unreasonable to work together on a detailed solution, to copy a solution, or to give away a solution. Such instances of academic dishonesty may result in a course grade of F. Submitting a work that is not your own work is considered academic dishonesty (Plagiarism). NO COPYING OF PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE TOLERATED! Cheating will be dealt with harshly, and may result in failure of the assignment/exam and/or failure of the class. Each student is responsible for securing his or her work from copying.
  • Although class attendance will not be taken, decisions on borderline grades will be based upon exceptional class participation, as deemed merited by the course instructor. You are expected to keep up with all course material and announcements covered in class. If you miss class, you must obtain the covered material from a willing classmate. Neither the instructor nor the TAs will be available (during office hours or other times) to repeat material covered in class.
  • Please use the course website as your first resource for course materials. Updates will be made daily as appropriate. It is essential that you check the website periodically. Posted will be homework assignments, course announcements, changes in course materials, handouts, code/examples, and answers to pertinent questions.

Academic Integrity

In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. [Check www.uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/ for more information.]

Grievance

A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm. When in doubt please be certain to contact the department's administrative assistant who will provide further assistance.

Discipline

A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity to avoid committing academic offenses and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offense, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about "rules" for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the undergraduate associate dean. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71, Student Discipline, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm. For typical penalties check Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/guidelines/penaltyguidelines.htm.

Plagiarism-detection software may be used on any submitted work.

Appeals

A decision made or penalty imposed under Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances (other than a petition) or Policy 71, Student Discipline may be appealed if there is a ground. A student who believes he/she has a ground for an appeal should refer to Policy 72, Student Appeals, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm.

Note for students with disabilities

The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD), located in Needles Hall, Room 1132, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the OPD at the beginning of each academic term.