CMP210 Introduction to Programming in Python
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THE COMPONENTS OF YOUR FINAL GRADE

Your final grade will be based on the following components weighted as indicated.
  • Exercises: 15%
  • Assignments: 30%
  • Examinations: 30%
  • Final Examination: 25%
Notes:
  • Subject to the restrictions described below, if your final examination grade is higher than any of your semester examination grades, the final examination grade will be used in its place in computing your final average. Your final examination grade will also be used as the grade for any missed semester examinations.

    Restrictions. Note that a grade of zero, given on an examination as a penalty for academic dishonesty, will not be replaced by a higher final examination grade. In fact, any instance of academic dishonesty, whether on an examination or an assignment, will prohibit your final examination grade from replacing a lower semester examination grade. Any violation of the cell phone policy will also prohibit your final examination grade from replacing a lower semester examination grade. If you have more than 5 unexcused absences, more than 5 unexcused latenesses, you've been caught using a cell phone in class, or you've exited and entered the class while the class was in session an excessive number of times (as determined by the professor), your final examination grade will not be used to replace lower semester examination grades. In those cases, your final examination could only be used to replace a missed semester examination, if the missed semester examination is excused with a note from the University Nurse, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Provost, or the Dean of Students. Such a note must agree in time and date with the missed examination and must only state that you missed the examination for a valid reason.

  • Points may be subtracted from your final average for excessive absences and/or latenesses, and for academic misconduct such as habitually interrupting class by entering and exiting the room during class session.
  • Points will be subtracted from your final average for ANY instance of cell phone use in class as follows: two (2) points will be subtracted from your final average for the first instance, three (3) additional points will be subtracted from your final average for the second instance, and five (5) additional points will be subtracted from your final average for each subsequent instance (3rd instance and above) of cell phone use in class. For more details see the Cell Phone Use item under MISCELLANEOUS COURSE POLICIES, below.

EXAMINATION POLICIES

There will be full-period examinations, and a comprehensive final examination.
  • Is the lowest examination grade dropped? No. However, if your final examination grade is higher than any of your semester examination grades, then the final examination grade will be used in its place in computing your final average, subject to restrictions noted earlier. Your final examination grade will also be used as the grade for any missed semester examinations, also subject to restrictions noted earlier.
  • Will there be any opportunities for "extra credit" or "extra work" to help bring up a low grade? No. Such "extra credit" or "extra work" is more appropriately termed "instead-of work." Subject to the restriction noted earlier, the final examination already serves the purpose of a "second chance" or "instead of" opportunity.
  • Is the final examination comprehensive? Yes. This is the primary justification for replacing low (or missed) semester examination grades with a high final examination grade.
  • When will the final examination be given? See the Exam page. You MUST take all examinations with YOUR section. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 on the examination.

  • Can a low final examination grade hurt your final grade? Yes. However, it will not hurt more than 25% worth of your final grade. It will only count more if it helps your final grade, in accordance with the policies outlined above.
  • Lateness or Absence If you come late to an examination and at least one student has already taken the examination and left the room, you will not be permitted to take the examination. If you miss a semester examination for any reason, the final examination grade will be used in its place.
  • What happens if you miss the final examination due to absence or lateness? You must inform me as soon as possible (either by voice mail or email) that due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control you will not be able to take the final examination at the scheduled time. (Such circumstances typically involve sudden illness, death in the family, serious accident, etc. Oversleeping due to faulty alarm-clocks, room-mates who had failed to wake you up, forgetting when the final was scheduled, improperly re-scheduling an exam in another class so that it conflicts with the exam in this class, an early family vacation, are some examples of invalid reasons for missing the final examination.) If you miss the final examination, a note from the University Nurse, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Provost, or the Dean of Students, which agrees in time and date with the missed examination and must state only that you missed the final examination for a valid reason. After you've provided such a note, you may apply for an "Incomplete" within two days of the missed final examination. Incomplete Request Forms are available online at http://www.salve.edu/offices/registrar/forms/. If the Incomplete is approved, I will schedule a time for the make-up final in cooperation with all students involved, the Dean of Academics and/or Office of the Registrar. The Incomplete is temporary and will be replaced with a real grade after the scheduled time of the make-up examination has passed. If a make-up final examination is scheduled and you do not show up for it at the scheduled time, you will receive a grade of 0 for the final examination. If you miss the final examination and do not obtain a note as described earlier, or if you fail to apply for an Incomplete, or if your request for an Incomplete is denied, you will receive a grade of 0 on the final examination.
  • Leaving the room after an examination has been handed out. If you leave the room after an examination has been handed out, you will not be permitted to return to complete unfinished portions of the examination.
  • Interaction among students during an examination. No form of this is allowed. Thus, for example, sharing of calculators is forbidden.
  • If the use of a calculator will be allowed on examinations, only TI-83Plus or TI-84Plus models will be permitted. Other calculator models, iPods, iPads, Apple Watches, cell phones, electronic dictionaries, and similar devices will never be allowed on examinations. If a calculator will be allowed will for a particular examination, the calculator will be reset and inspected before the examination is handed out. If your calculator cannot be reset, you will not be permitted to use it on the examination.
  • What must you bring to examinations? Three pens or pencils, an authorized calculator with spare batteries (if calculator use is permitted for that particular examination), your laptop with MATLAB Student installed, and your Salve Regina University ID card. You may not be allowed to take the examination without showing your valid Salve Regina University ID card.
  • Request for re-grading. A request for re-grading of an examination must be made in writing or via email from your salve.edu email address. Include in your request a detailed description of what you believe was graded incorrectly. Also, note that if there is a need to re-grade an examination, it will be re-graded in its entirety. Thus, the grade may go up or down after re-grading. Also, note that submitting an altered examination for regrading is a form of academic dishonesty and will at minimum result in a grade of zero on the given examination, and may result in a grade of F in the course. Note that a grade of zero, assigned as a result of any form of academic misconduct will not be replaced by a higher final examination grade.

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND LATENESS

  • This class requires your attendance and punctuality at all classes.
  • How do absences (or latenesses) effect your grade? Students who miss classes generally do poorly on examinations. The university's policies on attendance and habitual non-attendance can be viewed in the University Catalog, and will be strictly enforced. Habitual absences and latenesses, and habitually leaving the room after class has started are considered to be forms of academic misconduct and will be reported to the appropriate administrator, who may decide to take disciplinary action. Additionally, your instructor reserves the right to deduct points from your final average for such academic misconduct. (Also, see Restrictions under THE COMPONENTS OF YOUR FINAL GRADE, above.)
  • Your responsibility when you are absent or late. If you miss class (for any reason), you will be responsible for the material that was covered. Class notes cannot be provided by your professor. Please obtain the class notes from another student.

MISCELLANEOUS COURSE POLICIES

Policies outlined in this section are designed to ensure a safe and professional working environment for students. These policies are consistent with the University policies described in the Undergraduate Catalog, under Academic Policies. Points may be deducted from your final average for the types of unprofessional and disruptive behavior described below.
  • Cell Phone Use. ALL cell phone use is strictly prohibited during class. This includes using the cell phone as a calculator, text messaging device, alarm clock, anything! If you have a cell phone, you MUST turn if off before class and put it away in your book bag or purse. It may not be kept on your lap or on your desk. If your cell phone rings, or its alarm clock feature sounds, or it is observed on your desk or on your lap, or you are observed using it in ANY way during class, you will be asked to leave immediately, you will become ineligible for the final exam replacing lower exam grades policy, and points will be deduced from your final average as follows: two (2) points will be subtracted from your final average for the first infraction, three (3) additional points will be subtracted from your final average for the second infraction, and five (5) additional points will be subtracted from your final average for each subsequent infraction (3rd infraction and above).

    Though students may not use their cell phones for ANY reason during class, your instructor will keep his cell phone on so that the class may receive any emergency notifications through the University's ENS-Alert service.

  • Though there may (or may not) be opportunities to use laptops during certain class sessions, unauthorized use of laptops or any other unauthorized electronic device during class is strictly prohibited. Infractions of this policy will carry the same penalties as infractions of the cell phone policy.
  • Reading material not related to this course, doing assignments for other classes, and engaging in similar activites during class are strictly prohibited. If you are caught engaging in such activities during class, you may be asked to leave and points may be deducted from your final average.
  • Napping, loud yawning, excessive chattering, interrupting class by entering and exiting the room during the class session, and other forms of disruptive and disrespectful behavior during class are strictly prohibited. If you are caught engaging in such activities during class, you may be asked to leave and marked absent for that class, and points may be deducted from your final average. Each such incident will be reported to the appropriate administrator who may decide to impose additional sanctions, including withdrawal from the class, suspension or dismissal from the university.
  • According to University policy, no food or beverages of any kind are allowed in the classroom. This policy will be strictly enforced.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

In accordance with University policies (See Undergraduate Catalog):
All students are expected to accept and abide by the values of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness in their academic pursuits. Sanctions for violations of academic honesty, such as plagiarism or cheating, are imposed by the course instructor and range from failure for the work involved to failure in the course. A record of violations and sanctions is maintained in the student's file. Repeated violations can result in dismissal from the university. Appeal is to the provost or the provost's designee.

DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATIONS

In accordance with University policy:
Salve Regina University is committed to providing equal and integrated access for students with disabilities to all of its programs and services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a disability that entitles you to instructional or other accommodations, you must be registered with the Office of Disability Services at the Academic Development Center. The office is located in McAuley Hall, Room 100 (401-341-3150). The Office of Disability Services will help you set up your accommodations. Please arrange a meeting with this office within the first two weeks of class so that you will have the appropriate letters of accommodation to provide and discuss with your professors. Accommodations must be arranged before you actually need them; they are never applied retroactively.

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Last modified: 1/19/2018