Homework policy
Students must work individually on all homework assignments. We encourage you to have high-level discussions with other students in the class about the assignments, however, we require that when you turn in an assignment, it is only your work. That is, copying any part of another student’s assignment is strictly prohibited, and repercussions for doing so will be severe (up to and including failing the class outright). You are free to reuse small snippets of example code found on the Internet (e.g. via StackOverflow) provided that it is attributed. If you are concerned that by reusing and attributing that copied code it may appear that you didn’t complete the assignment yourself, then please raise a discussion with the instructor.
Your work is late if it is not turned in by the deadline.
- 10% will be deducted for late assignments turned in within 24 hours after the due date.
- Assignments submitted more than 24 hours late will receive a zero.
If you’re worried about being busy around the time of a HW submission, please plan ahead and get started early. Homework that does not compile or run will receive at most 50% credit.
For fairness to all, there are no exceptions to the above rules.
In Class Activities:
Most lectures will feature interactive activities and/or polls that support the material being presented. You must be present in class to complete the activity or take the poll (participating in an online activity while not attending the synchronous session will be considered academic dishonesty and will be treated harshly). Each instructor may have a different style for assigning participation grades, but historical grading information suggests that each style results in a similar overall grade distribution. Participation grades will be posted on Canvas, and regularly updated.
If you join class in person, you are strongly encouraged to bring your laptop or phone to class so that you can participate in the activities.
Policy on remote attendance
We would like to provide the best and most comfortable learning experience, and encourage you to stay at home if you are ill, and upon request, will provide remote access to our classes (please contact your instructor by email as soon as possible preferably few hours before the class). We are following guidance and regulations set by the Provost’s office. In short: if you are registered for an on-the-ground section but do not feel comfortable or are unable to attend in person for a short duration (e.g. one or two weeks) due to either your illness or heightened concern for your or your roommates/family’s health, we will provide access to attend class those weeks remotely. However, we have been asked to be extremely attentive that we only provide this access for a maximum of two weeks. If you anticipate being unable to attend class in person for more than two weeks, please reach out to the Disability Resource Center, which is coordinating a process to provide longer-term access to remote resources.
Grading
There will be four programming assignments and a final project. You will complete the assignments individually, and the project in a group of 3-4. The overall grading breakdown is:
- 35% Individual homework assignments
- 35% Team final project
- 10% Participation in synchronous, in-class activities
- 20% Exam
Assignment of final grades: Although each instructor will use the same lesson plans and assignments, we expect that there may be variation in grades when compared between sections. Hence, each instructor will assign final grades to students in their sections, and reserve the right to apply different curves than are used by the other instructors. With each graded assignment, students will be provided with the distribution of all grades in their section.
Grading grievances: If you have concerns regarding the grading of your work, please let us know right away by opening a regrade request in GradeScope. Do not post on Piazza or your TA or instructor: GradeScope provides an interface that allows us to review all regrade requests in one place. All regrade requests must be submitted within 7 days from your receipt of the graded work. If your regrade request is closed and you feel that the response was not satisfactory, you may appeal to the instructor via email within 48 hours.
Classroom Environment
To create and preserve a classroom atmosphere that optimizes teaching and learning, all participants share a responsibility in creating a civil and non-disruptive forum for the discussion of ideas. Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that does not disrupt teaching or learning. Your comments to others should be constructive and free from harassing statements. You are encouraged to disagree with other students and the instructor, but such disagreements need to respectful and be based upon facts and documentation (rather than prejudices and personalities). The instructors reserve the right to interrupt conversations that deviate from these expectations. Repeated unprofessional or disrespectful conduct may result in a lower grade or more severe consequences. Part of the learning process in this course is respectful engagement of ideas with others.
Please don’t be late. You are an essential part of the class. Your participation is an essential part of the class. If you are late, please be courteous to others when entering.
BE PRESENT WHEN YOU ARE ATTENDING CLASS. Please do not distract yourself from the class by doing other activities such as phone calls, email, facebook, chat/IM/texting, games, web surfing – unless it has a direct bearing on the course. Then, by all means, surf away!
Attendance in the synchronous meetings is expected. Sometimes you cannot avoid missing a class. If you need to be away from class, it is your responsibility to catch up on the materials discussed in the class.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Students who have disabilities who wish to receive academic services and/or accommodations should visit the Disability Resource Center at 20 Dodge Hall or call (617) 373-2675. If you have already done so, please provide your letter from the DRC to the Instructor early in the semester so that they can arrange those accommodations. Please note that these accommodation don’t apply to the group assignments unless there are extenuating circumstances (we have confirmed this with the DRC at NU). Please feel free to reach out to DRC for any questions! If you are involved in any such situation please coordinate with the instructors in timely manner to avoid any logistical problems and to help us figure out how to best provide support for you!
Title IX Notice
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-based discrimination, including discrimination based on gender-identity, in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Northeastern’s Title IX Policy prohibits Prohibited Offenses, which are defined as sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Policy applies to the entire community, including students, faculty and staff of all gender identities.
If you or someone you know has been a survivor of a Prohibited Offense, confidential support and guidance can be found through University Health and Counseling Services staff and the Center for Spiritual Dialogue and Service clergy members. By law, those employees are not required to report allegations of sex or gender-based discrimination to the University.
Alleged violations can be reported non-confidentially to the Title IX Coordinator within The Office for Gender Equity and Compliance at: titleix@northeastern.edu and/or through NUPD (Emergency 617.373.3333; Non-Emergency 617.373.2121). Reporting Prohibited Offenses to NUPD does NOT commit the victim/affected party to future legal action.
Faculty members are considered “responsible employees” at Northeastern University, meaning they are required to report all allegations of sex or gender-based discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator.
In case of an emergency, please call 911.
Please visit www.northeastern.edu/ouec for a complete list of reporting options and resources both on- and off-campus.