Com S 342: Principles of Programming Languages

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Course Components

This course has the following components:

• Homework: 30% (various due dates)
• Midterm: 35% (On Mar 12, 2009, 2:10 - 3:30pm CST)
• Final exam: 35% (On May 4, 2009, 12:00-2:00pm CST)
• Extra credit: varies

All components are essential, you will not receive a passing grade in this course if you haven't completed a component of the course. For example, let us assume John Doe didn't hand in any homeworks, but received a 'B' grade or better in all other components. His final grade will be 'F' without any exceptions.

Grade Computation Logic

You will receive an absolute letter grade for this course. There will not be any curving. As a result, everybody in this class may expect to receive an 'A'. The grades will be assigned as follows:

• A: 90 and above
• A-: 85 - 89
• B+: 80 - 84
• B: 75 - 79
• B-: 70 - 74
• C+: 65 - 69
• C: 60 - 64
• F: 59 and below

Extra Credit Policy

There will be extra credit problems in homeworks and exams.

In homeworks for which you do not have any incomplete problems and earned a grade of at least a B overall, you may accumulate extra credit points on problems marked extra credit. Extra credit problems that are not given explicit due dates may be turned in any time within 3 weeks of the due date of the last normal problem of the homework to which they are attached. However, all extra credit work must be handed in before the last week of classes.

Extra credit problems should be turned in separately from regular homework problems. That is, don't staple them together with regular homework problems. Make sure they are also labeled with your name and clearly state what problems are being solved.

The main reason to do extra credit work should be that you are interested in the problems and want to learn more about the material. Since the main material is more important, you should only do extra credit problems that interest you and that you have time for. Beware that one reason for having extra credit problems is to give me a place to put interesting problems that are of unknown difficulty. Sometimes these turn out to be quite hard.

Another reason, for doing extra credit work, however, is that your extra credit points will be used to subjectively raise your final grade in the class. For example, if you are close to an A in the class, and have some extra credit points, then we will take them into account and may raise your grade to an A. Another use for extra credit points is to impress me, if you want me to write you a recommendation someday. (Because of that, it is wise to save your extra credit work.) However, you can't use extra credit work to make up for incomplete work. If you are having difficulty in the class, focus on the main material, not on the extra credit work.

You may also do work for extra credit that you invent, but please check with me before doing something like that. (Otherwise you may spend a lot of time on something that I may not consider worth many extra credit points.)

Late Deliverable Policy

You are expected to submit your deliverables on time. Some homework solutions will be discussed in class after the due date. These homework solutions will not be accepted after the due date and you will receive no grade for them. The penalties for other submissions are as follows:

• Submitted after the due date but before next class period: 15%
• After next class period: 100%

Programming Assignments

Test-Case Policy: This policy applies to the programming assignment part of a homework. If we have provided test cases with the assignment, please ensure that your program passes all these test-cases before you turn in your homework. You will receive no grades for the failing program.

Deliverable Packaging and Naming Convention Policy: If we have provided a naming conventions for your deliverables. and/or instructions on how to package your submission, please carefully follow them. Failure to do so may result in receiving no grades for that part of the homework.

Acknowledgements

*[Some parts of this policy are adopted from ComS 362 as taught by Prof. Gary Leavens in Fall 2004. These parts are identified by a following star.]