Policies for CSCI 300 Software Practice

Attendance is important and will be taken each class period.  You are expected to attend all class sessions.  If you miss class for illness or emergency, you are responsible for getting the material you missed.  If you expect to be excused for your absence you must send the instructor an email describing the reason you were absent.  A deduction from your grade, up to a total of 20%, may be progressively exacted for unexcused absences beyond the first three.  Extreme absenteeism may result in a failed grade for the course at the discretion of the instructor.

Assignments — There will be weekly assignments due. Each assignment will be associated with a Work Unit Plan (WUP) and the assignment will involve research, acquisition of a critical skill, and demonstration of the skill by preparation of applicable deliverables that constitute the output of the assignment. Some assignments are expected to take multiple weeks and may have variously scheduled deliverables. The details will be provided as part of the assignment's WUP. Students are expected to maintain progress logs describing their progress and performance on the assignments and may be asked to give an oral or brief written progress report at any time.

Grading of Assignments — Assignments will be graded on a five point scale described briefly below:

5 — an outstanding assignment, sustained 4 and 5 grades is an A.

4 — a good assignment, sustained performance at this level constitutes a B.

3 — a satisfactory result, but not distinguished. Work at this level is a C.

2 — somewhat unsatisfactory in one or more dimensions. Work at this level will lead to a D for the course.

1 — unsatisfactory work, but turned in. Sustained work at this level will lead to failing the course.

0 — the assignment is not turned in.

Course Grading — the course is graded based on the assignments performed by the student using a grading method termed contract grading. The terms of the contract involve satisfactory completion of the weekly assignments. The term milestones will be used interchangeably to refer to the observable deliverables associated with the WUPs.

A — a course grade of A will be assigned for sustained performance at the level of 4 and 5 weighted more heavily at the level of 5.

B — a course grade of B will be assigned for sustained performance at the level of 3 and 4 weighted more heavily at the level of 4.

C — a course grade of C will be assigned for sustained performance at the level of 2 and 3 weighted more heavily at the level of 3.

D — a course grade of D will be assigned for sustained performance that only rarely attains the 3 level and is predominantly at the 2 or even 1 level.

Penalty for Late Work — Late work may be declined for no grade or it may be accepted for a reduced grade at the discretion of the instructor. It is important to note that repeated failure to do work on time and on schedule is grounds for dismissal in the workplace. Responsibility, reliability and accountability are important values which need to be acquired and should become second nature.