Grand Unified Syllabus

Purpose:  Unless otherwise noted in the specific course syllabus, the policies of this document hold for all classes taught by John Mill

Atmosphere:

I try to keep an informal, relaxed atmosphere in my classes where we can all be friends at best and colleages at worst. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• DO NOT INSTALL OR USE INSTANT MESSAGES OF ANY KIND OR CHAT CLIENT!!! THIS IS A SURE WAY TO GAIN MY IRE.
• Browsing the web for non class related materials during class is reprehensible.
• Having Cell Phones go off in the middle of class is abominable.
• Treating any member of the class with anything but the civility due them as a human being gets you suspended from class.

Grading:

Throughout the quarter you will receive two types of assignments: one week assignments (guess how long you have to do them!) and Projects (usually 2-3 weeks to complete). There will also be a final or a final project. The points for these materials will be added together to produce a student's score in the class.  Grades will then be given based on that total as follows.

95% or greater -> 4.0
For each % from 95%, subtract .1 from the grade. Note that a grade less then .7 is a failing grade.

• One week assigmnets will usually be worth 50 points.
• Projects tend to be 75-100 points. You MUST turn in all projects to pass the class.
• Final:  A final test or a final project will be assigned.  Finals are 100 points usually.  Final projects can vary.
• Assignment Swapping:  If at any time you feel that an assignment is too trivial or boring, you may opt to do a more challenging assignment.  In order to do this, however, you will need my prior approval.  Also note that by definition, the replacement assignment must be harder than the original.

Late and Makeup policy:

• Assignments: 10% of the grade is deducted for each day late to a maximum of 50%. Assignments are NOT accepted 5 days after the due. It is to your advantage to turn in all assignments, even if you only get half credit. Not only will this help your understanding of the material, but the grading formula is very hard on people who turn nothing in.
• Final:  You must take the final on the date given or receive a zero. See Exceptions below
• Exceptions:  These may be granted for special circumstances. Sickness or family emergency require notification via email or phone.  All other reasons require prior approval of at least 3 days.  

Attendance:

There is no attendance requirement.  If you miss class for whatever reason it is your responsibility to make up for it either by looking at the notes of others, viewing any on line materials I have posted or referring to the text book.    If after referring to these materials you still need clarification, please see me. Basically, make an attempt to cover the material on your own and then see me. Its hard for me to recrate a brilliant series of classes in one or two hours, so it helps if you have done some work yourself.

Cheating:

Cheating is defined quite well by your student handbook.  If you feel that you need clarification on a given assignment, then please see me.   It is your responsibility before turning in assignment to ensure that it is your original work. If you work even remotely looks like another student's, I will assume that cheating has taken place.   Cheating is a serious offense in my class and will have severe repercussions.
Here are some handy guildlines for working with others:

1. Never give out copies of your homework in any form. Never receive copies of other student's homework solutions.
2. Never let anyone else type into your program. Never type in anyone else's program.
3. Never let anyone copy your work. Never copy anyone else's work.

Z Grades:

Z grades are given out entirely at my discretion. They are a tool for an instructor to provide a student with a withdrawal due necessitated by some incident beyond the student's control. My general rule is to only give Z's to students who are reasonably up to date in the course ( all assignments turned in up to a pointa ) who get in touch with me within a reasonable amount of time after the incident.

Living Document

This document may change time to time throughout the quarter. Always assume that the web version is the definitive version for this class.