Class Policies

Time and place: Lectures Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 and 2:00, 110 Maclean Hall
Textbook: Thinking in Java (4th Ed.) by Bruce Eckel.

Exams will be comprehensive, covering all material up to the date of the exam, with an emphasis on material from recent, particularly programming assignments. Students with serious conflicts such as Illness or religious holidays may make alternate arrangements (in advance, if at all possible).

Grading: 30% of the score will depend on homework (top 10 of 12 assignments at 3% each). 30% will depend on programming (6 assignments at 5% each). The exams will count, respectively, 10%, 10% and 20%. Collegiate norms suggest that in typical offerings at this level, about 60% of those who actually take the course (that is, who do the assignments and take the exams) will earn at least a B.

Late and Incomplete Work: Turn in what you have finished by the due date! Except in case of "acts of God" (an insurance company term for circumstances outside your control), late work will not be accepted without prior arrangement. This means, if you get in trouble, ask for help as soon as possible!

Computer support: We will use the CLAS Linux machines, accessible from anywhere on the Internet. All students will have course accounts. Note: you can get Java free for just about any machine, but code that works under Windows may not work on Linux because of different file formats.

The Web will be used to distribute solutions to assignments and exams, as well as tutorials and materials supporting assignments. All materials supporting this class are on-line at:
-- http://homepage.cs.uiowa.edu/~dwjones/object/
 

The Fine Print that must be repeated here as a matter of policy:

   If you do not know the the prerequisite, discrete structures and introductory data structures, you will fail this course.

   Class attendance matters. Material discussed in class and not in the text may show up in assignments and exams.

   An average well prepared student should expect to spend 2 hours outside of class for each hour of class time in any course. As a 4-hour class, you should expect to spend the equivalent of a full 8-hour work day on this class every week.

   Temporary grades of I (Incomplete) will be given only after discussion with the professor, preferably as soon as possible; this must be prior to the final exam except where "acts of God" (see above) prevent this.

   This course is given by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), 120 Schaeffer Hall. CLAS rules govern class policies on matters of grading, academic conduct, and late adds and drops. If you are enrolled from another college, check the UI Policy Governing Undergraduate and Professional Students Enrolled in Courses Outside Their Own College or Degree Program.

   Any official e-mail about this course will be addressed to your uiowa.edu address; please use that address if you e-mail me.

   If, for any reason, including but not limited to long or short-term disability, you need any kind of accomodation, including but not limited to special seating or special arrangements for exams, please contact me during my office hours, or at other times, in person, by phone or by E-mail. The office of Student Disability Services in 3015 Burge Hall may be able to help.

   The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination on numerous grounds including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and national origin. I can help, but if I fail, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.

   The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Code of Academic Honesty applies in this course. Assignments showing evidence of cheating will receive no credit and will be reported to the college. Reported students are put on disciplinary probation; repeat violations may lead to suspension or expulsion. Nevertheless, you are encouraged to discuss assignments with others in the class (this is a good way to learn), but do not discuss anyone's solutions prior to the due date! You must credit your sources when you incorporate code you did not write into your work!

   If you have suggestions or complaints, if your teaching assistant cannot resolve the issue, bring it to me. If I cannot resolve it, contact the CS department chair in 14 MacLean Hall. Due process continues from there to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 120 Schaeffer Hall. The exception: Cases of sexual harassment may be reported directly to the UI Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator (335-6200). In the event that the appropriate channel is not obvious for any purpose, the University Ombudsman is available to help in C108 Seashore Hall.

   The inner hallways of masonry buildings such as those on the Pentacrest are reasonably secure refuges from tornado, derecho and other windstorms. Stay away from windows during such events.