Department of Computer Science

Attendance: All students are expected to regularly attend classes, and to be prepared for class by doing the assigned readings and by completing all assignments. Only previously approved and university recognized absences are excusable. Excessive (>2) unexcused absences may result in your course grade being lowered one letter grade. Contact me prior to any absence (if possible) in order to obtain clearance.

Academic Honesty
Copying or extensive collaboration on assignments, tests, or lab reports is not permitted and may result in failure in the course. However, you may discuss approaches to solving the problem, as long as the discussion remains above the level of specific Java instructions. You may also seek aid in resolving compiler messages. However, if someone else is typing on your keyboard or you are copying code off someone else's screen, you are getting too much help. Finding or purchasing a solution on the internet or elsewhere and turning that in as your own work is also plagiarism and may result in failure in the course.

Of course, you may ask me questions at any time. Outside of office hours, email is particularly good for this.

Violations of academic honesty will be dealt with according to Millersville University’s Academic Honesty Policy.

Deadlines: Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the assigned due date, unless otherwise specified. No late assignments will be accepted. If your assignment is incomplete, turn it in for possible partial credit. Programs must cleanly compile for any credit.
Developing your program incrementally will assure that you always have something for which you can receive some credit.

Exams:There are no make-up exams - if you miss a test, you will receive a zero. Exceptions may be made at my discretion for reasons of illness (as in "on your deathbed") or university excused absences.

Special Needs: Anyone requiring special accommodations should contact me as soon as possible.

Expectations: Although this is a 100-level course, do not expect it to be easy. This course is meant to lay the foundation of your programming experience.  Programming and problem-solving are acquired skills, and they take lots of practice.  Becoming a computer scientist won't happen in one term, but you should get a great start!

To truly get the most out of this class you will need to attend class regularly, read the text and participate in class. We will be actively engaged in solving problems during class lectures, and this experience cannot be captured by copying someone else's notes.

If you are having trouble, seek help early.  The subject builds throughout the semester and keeping up with the material is critical.  There are lots of avenues for getting help.  Ask questions in class.  Work the example problems.  Read the text book.  Seek me out -- I'm very accessible by email, during office hours, after class and by appointment at other times.  Free tutors are also available.  The Computer Science department can give you information, and I will provide it to the class as the schedule is available.

Don't procrastinate on programming assignments! Enough said, I hope.

This class meets in the Linux lab on most Wednesdays for hands-on practice. I will give you the handout describing the lab activity the class period before the lab. You should read through it before you come to lab. This will make the lab period much less stressful. You are expected to remain in the lab for the full lab period or until you have successfully completed all work. Many assignments will require further work outside the lab period. You should expect to spend considerable time on the programming assignments (labs and additional programs) outside of the scheduled lab period.