COURSE GUIDELINES

COURSE GUIDELINES

CIS 501
Data Structures and Algorithms

Spring, 2003
Dr. Friedman

Office: Wachman Hall, Room 307

SUMMARY OF COURSE GOALS:

The purpose of this course is to provide exposure to and ample exercise with the fundamentals of the design and implementation of well structured programs -- programs that are concise, clear, easy to read, test and modify. Particular attention will be paid to the concepts of program and data abstraction. Numerous complete program examples will be illustrated in class, and a number of design and programming problems will be assigned. All programs will be implemented in the C++ programming language.

GRADES:
        Base Grade:
            5% - class and lab participation
            25% - homework
            40% - 2 exams (In class, around weeks 5 and 10
                        (Expected around Wednesday, October 25 and Monday November 11)
            30% - final exam
                        (date is in schedule for the current semester.)

These percentages are approximate, and can be expected to vary slightly depending upon individual circumstances, and strengths and weaknesses in student background. Homework is used to raise or lower your grade and can affect your final grade by no more than a letter. Excellent homework could raise your Base Grade by as much as a full letter. Poor homework could lower your Base Grade by as much as a letter.

EXAMS:

The exams are closed book. Their content is cumulative, i.e. they address the material covered up to the day of the exam.

If you miss a midterm (there will be two) for an emergency [as agreed ahead of time with the instructor], you will be permitted to make it up only if arrangements ARE MADE AHEAD OF TIME (before the exam is given). If you miss any exam without prior agreement, and/or without definitive proof as to the reasons, you will get a zero.

The final exam is mandatory on the scheduled day.

Exams will be designed to test your understanding of the C++ language, the design and programming methods and processes used in class, and other relevant material about computers including operating systems, electronic mail, the use of the World Wide Web, editors, compilers, loaders, etc.
NOTE: Poor performance (generally, failure to receive a solid D average) on either the exams or the homework will result in a grade of C or worse. All continuing majors receiving such a grade will have to retake the course before taking any other courses in the CS grduate program. HOMEWORKS:

You will be assigned roughly one home work each week. Each assignment must be completed on time and sent by e-mail to the Teaching Assistant (TA) or me [to be decided]. The homework will be graded and commented upon by the TA [or me] usually before the next homework is due. Late home work will not be accepted. The instructor may accept them in the case of emergencies.

I encourage all students to discuss assignments with me, the lab assistants, and with other students in the class. HOWEVER, unless you have a group assignment, you are expected to work and complete all the homework on your own. Plagiarism will be handled with severe measures.

WORKING IN GROUPS:

Your homework assignments are intended to help YOU learn about the art and science of computer programming. I tend to give a lot of programming assignments and a good bit of reading. For most students in the class, doing the reading and the programming assignments is the only way you will master the concepts and ideas discussed; it is most surely the only way you will learn C++. Occasionally, I may give a group assignment. If and when I do, I will tell you. Otherwise, you are responsible for your own assignments.

You will not receive letter or numeric grades for your homework -- just a check, check +, or check - (or a zero). It is up to you to ensure your homework effort serves its purpose -- for you to learn the material.

All assignments should be carefully documented (commented). Your name, section, the date, and the title of your assignment (and your instructor's name) should appear at the top of each program as part of the documentation.

LABORATORIES (only for undergraduate studies):

Laboratories are lead by the Teaching Assistant. Attendance for the full period of each laboratory is MANDATORY. In the laboratory you will be assisted as needed with the solutions of sub-problems required for the larger homework assignments you have been given.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:

Please --

1. Come to class on time or eventually you may find that you are not welcome at all.

2. Be prepared -- you will be helped considerably if you do the reading and the homework on time. If you can stay a bit ahead in the reading you will be even better off.

3. Ask questions in class -- even during exams. I can’t tell what is being learned and what is causing trouble if you don’t ask questions.

4. If you miss class, please obtain notes and missed assignments from your fellow classmates. If there is anything that you do not understand, I will be happy to help you, but you have to make the first effort to make up the work. I EXPECT EACH STUDENT TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO MAKE UP WHATEVER IS MISSED IN CLASS. All assignments must be turned in on time.

5. I will not give a grade of incomplete except under extraordinary conditions.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM:

Academic cheating(such as plagiarism, copying during an exam, copying homework, stealing files and passwords, etc.) is strictly prohibited in this course. The penalty for the first offense will normally be an F in the course. A subsequent offense (in this or any other course) may also be referred to the University Disciplinary Committee

Copying and/or submitting the same work as another student is considered plagiarism and is subject to disciplinary action by the University.

If you turn in the same work as another student either with or without the other student's permission, everyone involved will receive a warning and 0 points for the work in question! [To help avoid this situation, do not leave your program printouts lying around the lab or in the trash! You may consult with other students while working on the lab assignments but every student must write their own program (create lab solutions) by themselves and must put the names of all other students consulted on the program (lab) when it is handed in or will be considered plagiarism!)]

Any attempt on your part to aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the plagiarism of the work of others or any other forms of cheating will result in a 0 grade given to you and all other students involved, in all affected course requirements.

!!! YOU ONLY GET ONE WARNING !!! If you turn in the same work as another student after having been warned then everyone involved will receive a failing grade (F) in the course and be reported to the University Academic Disciplinary Committee!

No collusion what-so-ever during an exam will be tolerated. In particular, no talking or other sharing of information (for example during open book exams) is permitted. Keep your eyes on YOUR paper.

IGNORANCE OF ACCEPTABLE GUIDELINES OF CONDUCT IS NO EXCUSE. Your Temple Student Handbook has information on this subject -- I expect everyone to read it as part of your first assignment.

YOUR PASSWORD:

Your password is your unique "key" to your computing resources. It is your key and is not to be shared with anyone else regardless of who it is or the reasons you might think you have. Misuse of your password may result in the removal of your computing access privileges and in University Disciplinary action. Please treat this password as your own personal property -- that's exactly what it is!

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

You may withdraw from this course (with a grade of "W passing") at any time prior to the "magic date" specified by the University (usually about three weeks before the end of classes). It is up to you to find out when this date is for a given semester. I will generally try to give, grade, and return the SECOND EXAM in time for you to make a decision about what to do if you are not happy with your progress in the course. Students who simply "drop out" of class without formally withdrawing will receive a grade of F.

A final note:

In signing up for this course, you have signed a contract to do the work that is required and to fully participate in course activities, including standard homeworks, all labs, group/cooperative projects, quizzes, and exams. I expect you to live up to your end of the bargain. You will be graded according to how well you satisfy course requirements. If you have any questions, please see me. This is hard work, but it also can be a lot of fun. And, who knows, perhaps you will soon take another computer course. Thanks.

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CERTIFICATION (Please sign below and return to Dr. Friedman in the next class):

I hereby certify that I have read and I understand all materials included in the CIS 501 Course Guidelines Document.


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