Course Information

Prerequisites

CSCI 0300, 1310, 0330, or 1330.

Time Requirements

The course will require at least 180 hours over the course of the semester (including class time). In addition to three hours per week in class, you can expect to spend on average 10-15 hours per week on the written/programming assignments and preparing for midterms.

Diversity: All are Welcome

Our intent is that this course provide a welcoming environment for all students who satisfy the prerequisites. Our TAs have undergone training in diversity and inclusion; all members of the CS community, including faculty and staff, are expected to treat one another in a professional manner. If you feel you have not been treated in a professional manner by any of the course staff, please contact either Prof. Herlihy (the instructor), Prof. Cetintemel (the department chair), or Laura Dobler (the department's coordinator for diversity and inclusion initiatives). We take all complaints about unprofessional behavior seriously.

Grading

Your grade in this course will be based solely on your performance on the homeworks, projects, and midterms.

  • 40% 6 - 8 Homeworks (The lowest score will be dropped.)

  • 40% 3 Midterms

  • 20% 4 - 5 Programming assignments

Homeworks are due on the appropriate day through submission on Gradescope. All homework assignments must be turned in individually. We do not accept late homeworks except for cases which merit an extension (see late policy). The only identifying piece of information on submitted handins should be your Banner ID, but this is not necessary. If your homework assignment includes your name anywhere in the file, we reserve the right to take 20% off your assignment's grade. If you have a question about the grading of an assignment, please bring it up first with the TA who graded it. If your question is not resolved to your satisfaction, then bring it up with Prof. Herlihy.

Incomplete Policy

We expect everyone to complete the course on time. However, we certainly understand that there may be factors beyond your control, such as health problems and family crises, that prevent you from finishing the course on time. If you feel you cannot complete the course on time, please discuss with Prof. Herlihy the possibility of being given a grade of Incomplete for the course and setting a schedule for completing the course in the upcoming year.

Due Dates

Projects and homeworks must be handed in by 11:59 pm on their due dates.

Late Policy

You have a total of 2 Late Days that can be used towards any assignment. You may turn in an assignment late even if you have used your 2 late days but a letter grade will be dropped per additional day you take. These late days are generally reserved for job interviews, emergencies, etc. If you find yourself in more extreme circumstances please let us know. If you must miss class or a project deadline because of a religious holiday, you may also get an extension without using late days, please contact Prof. Herlihy.

Collaboration Policy

What's permitted: talking about the homework problems with other students; using other textbooks; using the Internet.

What's not permitted: obtaining the answer directly from anyone or anything else in any form (including LLMs!).

Ed Discussion

The course Ed page is here. Ed Discussion is intended primarily for short clarification questions regarding anything about the course, from assignments to policies. You may post under your own name or anonymously to all except instructors, and you may post publicly or privately. Do note that if we think a privately asked question would be helpful for other students, we will make it public.

Accommodations

If you feel you have physical, psychological, or learning disabilities that could affect your performance in the course, we urge you to contact SEAS. We will do whatever we can to support accommodations recommended by SEAS.

Mental Health

Being a student can be very stressful. If you feel you are under too much pressure or there are psychological issues that are keeping you from performing well at Brown, we encourage you to contact Brown's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). They provide confidential counseling.

Coping with Unforeseen or Difficult Circumstances

If there are events that are upsetting to you, whether political, family-related, weather-related, etc., that affect your ability to do well in class, we are happy to take them into account with respect to our late and incomplete policies. Please feel free to talk to Prof. Herlihy about this. Additionally, Student Support Services Deans can be a helpful resource for discussing current concerns and academic and personal plans. They are available for both same-day consults and scheduled appointments.