CS 381 - Introduction to Theory of Computing, Summer 2005

Attendance and preparation:

Particularly in a condensed, six-week course, regular attendance and thorough preparation on your part is essential. Please try your utmost not to fall behind, as it will be very difficult to catch up if you do. If you are having any trouble in the class, please talk to me as early as possible; I want to help you, and it is much easier to do so if you come to me early.

Homework:

Due dates: These are firm; absolutely no late work will be accepted (but see the Exceptions section below if you have a genuine emergency). This is because I will try to grade all the homework on the day you hand it in and return it the next day, or the day after that. Homework must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day it is due.

Format: Your homework may be typeset or (legibly) handwritten.

Regrade requests: If you wish to request a regrade on any homework assignment or exam, talk to me within a week of the day you receive your grade. Bear in mind that while I will treat each regrade request with an open mind, your grade can go up or down in the regrade process.

Acceptable collaboration and academic integrity:

The prelims and final exam are individual work - no collaboration is allowed.

When working on the homework assignments, you are allowed - indeed, encouraged - to discuss solution ideas with other people, in or outside of class. However, you MUST write up and hand in your own solutions. Moreover, if you talk with others, you must mention all their names on your assignment as people you discussed solutions with.

If you are unsure about anything in the above rules, please ask me; it is far better that you ask and make sure than that you end up being accused of plagiarism or cheating.

Note that I reserve the right to ask you to explain your homework solutions if I am not sure that you fully understand them.

Please do not hand in work done by or with someone else under your own name; this is a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, and will be taken very seriously indeed. Penalties for violations of the Code may include grade penalties - up to and including a grade of F in the course - and beyond. I do not enjoy prosecuting cheaters, but I have done so in the past and will do so again if necessary. More information about the Code is maintained by the CS Department and by the University.

Student Disabilities:

If you are registered with the Office of Student Disability Services and require special accommodation (such as additional time to complete exams), please speak to me during the first week of class so that I have time to make suitable arrangements.

Exceptions:

Every policy needs to make provision for unexpected emergencies. If you have a major problem - you fall very ill, you have an accident, or have any other situation which severely affects your performance in the course, please talk to me and we will work something out. Please do understand that exceptional concessions will only be made in cases which are genuinely exceptional.