The Grand Overall Syllabus

Rick Udlock, IS/CS Department

Note: The policies outlined in this document apply to all classes taught by me unless overridden in the syllabus for a specific course.

Instructor Info:

Office: Building 18, 112H
Email: Rick.Udlock@SFCC.Spokane.edu
Phone: 533-3795

I do not have regular office hours. The best way to contact me is by email.

Class Policies

My basic objective is for you to learn the material covered in the course and to have fun doing it.

Please don't get the impression that I am just a dictatorial control freak who wants to ruin your day.
You have been to classes where a few individuals cause disruptions that make things miserable for everyone else. You have also seen others miss class and expect the instructor to help them catch up at everyone else's expense. These also tend to be the same individuals who turn in their assignments late, which gives them an advantage over those who turn their work on time.
These policies are for those people, so the rest of us can enjoy the class and learn something.
I look forward to seeing each of you in class. Thank you for your cooperation.
Many of these policies pertain primarily to regular on-ground classes and not to those taught online.

Be prepared (the key to success):

Read the assigned chapter before we deal with that topic in class, not the night before the quiz.
SFCC suggests that you spend at least two hours per class hour each week. That may get you by, but plan on at least three to four hours if you want the best grade.
Get to class on time. Late arrivals are extremely disruptive for me and your classmates. If you are chronically late, I will start locking the classroom door at start time to prevent further disturbances.

Regular attendance:

Attendance is critical for success in my classes. They typically consist of lessons with hands-on components that are very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to make up. You may also miss a quiz, which you will not be able to make up.
Extreme circumstances, e.g., illness, family emergency, etc., will be taken into account, if you make the effort to let me know beforehand or as soon as possible.
If you miss class, find out what you missed. I cannot take class time to bring you up-to-date to the detriment of everyone else.
According to our department's attendance policy, you can be cut from the active roster and receive a zero grade if you miss more than the equivalent of two weeks of class. This would be 10 class hours for a five credit class and six class hours for a three credit class, etc.
(On ground classes only) A perfect attendance grade is the number of class days. I subtract two points for each absence and one for being late, which doesn't seem like much, but it can negatively affect your final grade for the class.

Conduct yourself with courtesy, respect, and consideration for others:

The computers are for class use only. Using the computer for purposes other than class related work is disrespectful to your instructor and a distraction to the other students. If you are caught violating this policy, you will be asked to leave.
The classroom should be a safe environment for everyone. Offensive language and behavior violates this principle and will not be tolerated.
Cell phones need to be turned off or muted and put away during class.
Leaving class for non-emergency purposes is not allowed except during breaks or lab periods. Go to the bathroom before class.
Student handbooks and codes of conduct specify that students may not bring children to their classes, because this can be disruptive to the learning atmosphere.

Assignments:

To receive full credit for an assignment, be sure to meet all of the requirements. Ours is a technical profession, and meeting the exact specifications can be critical in real life.
Late assignments will not be accepted:

Don't make your do date the same as the assignment's due date.
Extreme circumstances, e.g., illness, family emergency, etc., will be taken into account, if you make every effort to let me know beforehand or as soon as possible.
Technical problems are rarely considered an acceptable excuse for late work. The closer the deadline, the more likely something will go wrong. Leave time for technical problems by finishing early. I had computer problems has replaced the dog ate my homework and will get you the same amount of sympathy.

Submitting work via Canvas upload:

Be sure to use Microsoft's Compressed (zipped) folder format when applicable. Linux and Mac PCs also support this format.

Exams & quizzes:

All exams and quizzes are open book.
If you don't study for a test, however, you will find that you won't have enough time to look everything up.
If you are absent when a test or lab exercise is given, you will not be allowed to make it up except under extreme circumstances as mentioned in the section above.

Cheating:

Before turning in an assignment, ensure that it is your original work.
If your work looks the same as another student's, I will assume that cheating has taken place. I encourage working together on projects, but I expect each student to turn in his/her own work.
Never let anyone copy your work. Never copy anyone else's work. Never share your work with anyone in any way.
Cheating is a serious offence in my class and will have severe repercussions. For the first offense, you will receive a zero grade on the assignment. For the second, you will fail the course.

Grading:

Canvas does not accurately show how I curve tests and weight attendance, so the overall grade it has for you will not be correct.
98% or greater is a 4.0
For each % point below 98, subtract .1 from the grade.
Here is SFCC's Grading Policy.

Special Accommodations:

If you have a health condition or disability that may require you to have accommodations in order to effectively participate in any class, please contact the Disability Support Services in Building 17, Room 201 (Phone 533-4166). Information about conditions or disabilities will be regarded as confidential.

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