{syllabusdate}
Spring 2025 Syllabus
====================
{instructor}
**Instructor:** [Curtis Larsen](/faculty/larsen.php)
**Email:** curtis.larsen@utahtech.edu
**Phone:** 435-652-7972
**Office:** Holland Centennial Commons 463
**Office Hours:**
* Mondays 9:30 am - 11:30 am
* Tuesdays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
* Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
* Thursdays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Office hours are a fantastic opportunity to receive personalized assistance with any questions or concerns you may have about course concepts, assignments, or anything else on your mind.
I'm here to support you throughout the week with regular office hours. No need to worry about telling me in advance to use the scheduled office hours, just drop by whenever it suits you! Whether you prefer a face-to-face chat in my office at HCC 463 or joining me virtually via Zoom, the choice is yours. You can find the Zoom link conveniently posted in an announcement on Canvas.
If these times don't fit your schedule, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Simply shoot me an email or a message through Canvas, and we can find a time that works better for you. When you message me, suggesting a few alternative times would be incredibly helpful.
Looking forward to connecting with you during office hours!
{fees}
**Course fee:** $20, used to assist in maintaining department infrastructure.
{covid19}
Per state and campus policy, a face covering must be worn over the nose and
mouth inside all campus buildings, including class rooms.
{attendance}
Students are responsible for material covered and announcements made in class.
School-related absences may be made up only if prior arrangements are made. The
class schedule presented is approximate. The instructor reserves the right to
modify the schedule according to class needs. Changes will be announced in
class and posted to the website. Exams and quizzes cannot be made up unless
arrangements are made _prior_ to the scheduled time.
Occasional absences are acceptable as long as the student keeps up with
assignment work. Students who miss more than two consecutive weeks of class or
who miss more than 20% of scheduled classes during the semester without making
prior arrangements will receive a failing grade. Students who miss any
scheduled exam (including midterm exams and the final exam) or fail to complete
a final project without making prior arrangements will receive a failing grade.
{notestout}
This course can only be completed by attending classes and completing all
assigned work to a satisfactory level. There is no procedure for testing out of
the class.
{timecommitment}
Courses should require about 45 hours of work per credit hour of class. This
class will require about 135 hours of work on the part of the student to
achieve a passing grade, which is approximately 9 hours per week. If you do not
have the time to spend on this course, you should probably rethink your
schedule.
{uselatex}
All assignments will be typeset in LaTeX to produce a PDF document.
The PDF document will be submitted via Canvas file uploads.
It is recommended that students use Overleaf for processing LaTeX documents
into PDF documents. Overleaf has extensive documentation on how
to use LaTeX effectively.
Note that technology problems are not acceptable excuses for late homework. You
are responsible for completing all steps of the assignment submission in advance of the
deadline.
{labs}
You may use departmental computers and software in the Smith Computer Center.
Some lab assistants may be able to help with assignments and pass
off homework assignments for introductory courses.
{virtualmachines}
The [CIT virtual machine farm](http://vm.cs.utahtech.edu) is also
available for use in this course.
{reading}
The student is responsible for reading the material in the textbook. A reading
schedule is provided with the class schedule on the course website. The student
is expected to read the material before the class in which it is discussed. The
book also includes material beyond what we will discuss in lecture, which you
are encouraged to study on your own. Feel free to bring questions from the
reading to lectures or to office hours.
{readingsysad}
The student is responsible for finding and reading valuable
information sources for this course. There are many helps
available online.
{quizzes}
There will be an in-class quiz about every two weeks. Each quiz will involve
writing code on paper, without the use of a computer. The quiz will cover
material from the most recent assignment as well as topics discussed in
lectures. Students are expected to practice writing code _daily_ to prepare for
assignments and quizzes. In general, merely completing the assignments will not
be sufficient preparation for the quizzes.
{lateness}
Assignments are due on the date specified in the schedule. Handing them in or
passing them off after the specified time is considered one day late. You may
turn them in up to two school days late with penalties as described below.
After two days late, you receive zero points.
For example: if an assignment is due at noon on Thursday:
* Before noon Friday the assignment is considered 1 day late.
* Before noon Monday the assignment is considered 2 days late.
* After noon on Monday the assignment will not be accepted.
Saturdays, Sundays, and school holidays do not count as late days. Late days do
_not_ extend beyond the last day of class.
{latedays}
Each student is given five free late days to use over the course of the
semester. The lateness of an assignment will be determined according to the
rules given above, and the first five late days used during the semester will
be forgiven. After that, each late day will result in a 10% penalty.
Important notes:
* Even using free late days, students cannot submit assignments more than two
days late and receive credit. No assignments will be accepted more than two
days past the original deadline.
* Free late days are applied to the _first_ five late days during the
semester. Students cannot control which late days are penalized and which
ones forgiven; the first five late days in the semester are forgiven, and
the rest are penalized.
* Free late days only apply to students who submit _every_ assignment within
the two-day cutoff period. For example, if you fail to submit the fifth
assignment, or submit it more than two days late, you will forfeit all free
late days, _including those used for earlier assignments_.
* No other extensions will be granted, except under exceptional
circumstances. Students should reserve their free late days to use in the
event of illness, emergencies, traveling, sports conflicts, etc. Students
are advised not to use their free late days early in the semester, as
assignments tend to get more difficult and schedules tighter as the
semester progresses.
{latenesssysad}
Assignments are due on the dates listed in the course schedule.
Handing in or passing off assignments after the due date, but
before the practical exam related to the assignments will result
in a 10% penalty. Handing in or passing of assignments after
the practical exam related to the assignments will result in
a 20% penalty. No assignments will be accepted after the last
day of class.
{droplowest}
If you complete all homework assignments and all exams, your lowest homework
score will be dropped at the end of the term. If you fail to complete any of
the assignments, or you submit one beyond the hard deadline (two days after the
initial deadline), your lowest score will _not_ be dropped.
{cheating}
Cheating will not be tolerated, and will result in a failing grade for the
students involved as well as possible disciplinary action from the college.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, turning in homework assignments that
are not the student's own work. It is okay to seek help from others and from
reference materials, but only if you learn the material. As a general rule, if
you cannot delete your assignment, start over, and re-create it successfully
without further help, then your homework is not considered your own work.
You are encouraged to work in groups while studying for tests, discussing class
lectures, discussing algorithms for homework solutions, and helping each other
identify errors in your homework solutions. If you are unsure if collaboration
is appropriate, contact the instructor. Also, note exactly what you did. If
your actions are determined to be inappropriate, the response will be much more
favorable if you are honest and complete in your disclosure.
Where collaboration is permitted, each student must still create and type in
his/her own solution. Any kind of copying and pasting is _not_ okay. If you
need help understanding concepts, get it from the instructor or fellow
classmates, but never copy another's code or written work, either
electronically or visually. The line between collaborating and cheating is
generally one of language: talking about solutions in English or other natural
languages is usually okay, while discussions that take place in programming
languages are usually not okay. It is a good idea to wait at least
30 minutes after any discussion to start your independent write-up. This
will help you commit what you have learned to long-term memory as well as help
to avoid crossing the line to cheating.
{collaboration}
Limited collaboration with other students in the course is permitted. Students
may seek help learning concepts and developing programming skills from whatever
sources they have available, and are encouraged to do so. Collaboration on
assignments, however, must be confined to course instructors, lab assistants,
and other students in the course. Students are free to discuss strategies for
solving programming assignments with each other, but this must not extend to
the level of programming code. Each student must code his/her own solution to
each assignment. See the section on cheating.
{assignmentscommon}
It is important that you start early and get each of your assignments done
before its due date. Many problems will take much longer to solve in a single
sitting than in many shorter sessions. Give yourself time to think; sleep on
difficult problems. Finish early so you can go back and refine your initial
approach.
{assignmentslabbie}
Assignments are due on the date listed in the schedule, and must be passed off
to a lab assistant for the course. This means that you must find a time during
the course assistant's lab hours to pass it off before the end of the day it is
due.
{assignmentspassoff}
Assignments are due on the date listed in the schedule, and must be passed off
to the instructor or a lab assistant for the course. This means that you must
reserve time to pass it off at a suitable time before the end of the day it is
due.
{assignmentswritten}
Assignments will be graded for correctness and elegance.
{assignmentsungraded}
Assignment grading will consider promptness of submission, participation in
class review of solutions, and earnest attempts to solve problems.
{assignmentsprogramming}
Assignments will be graded for accuracy of function and style of design.
Programs that do not compile will receive no credit.
{assignmentsbrowser}
Assignments will be graded for accuracy of function and style of design.
Programs that do not function will receive no credit.
{finalproject}
A final project will take the place of a final exam. You will be expected to
start planning and implementing your project early in the semester. No
assignments or quizzes will accompany the last unit of the class to give you
more time to complete your project. Projects will be presented to the class and
passed off during the final exam timeslot assigned to the course.
Projects can be completed alone or in pairs. A project topic, completion plan,
schedule, and grading criteria must be passed off about six weeks before the
end of the semester (see the course schedule).
{collegepolicies}
University Policies
-------------------
[Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Academic dishonesty / academic integrity policy, student academic conduct policy)](http://catalog.utahtech.edu/codeofstudentrightsresponsibilities/)
[Financial Aid](http://catalog.utahtech.edu/codeofstudentrightsresponsibilities/)
[Registration](https://registration.utahtech.edu/)
[Student Association](https://utahtech.edu/utsa/)
[Student absence related to college function](https://catalog.dixie.edu/academicpoliciesandprocedures/#headerid21)
[Sexual Harassment](https://titleix.utahtech.edu/)
Disability/Accessibility Resources
----------------------------------
Utah Tech welcomes all students and strives to make the learning experience accessible. If you are a student with a medical, psychological, or learning disability that may require accommodations for this course, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as soon as possible. You may request reasonable accommodations at any time during the semester; however, they are not retroactive. The DRC is located next door to the Testing Center in the North Commons Building. (435-652-7516, drc@utahtech.edu).
Title IX Statement
----------------------------------
Utah Tech University affirms its commitment to the promotion of fairness in all aspects of the educational institution. Harassment and discrimination – including sex/gender discrimination, gender identity, gender expression, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender-based violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, pregnancy or parental , family or marital status and or retaliation –not only disrupts our commitment to maintaining an environment in which every member of the University community is treated with respect and dignity, but may also violate University policy and federal, state, and/or local law.
Should you or someone you know experience behavior that is coercive, discriminatory, harassing, and or sexually violent in nature, or if you or someone you know has questions about their rights and options regarding such behavior, you are encouraged to contact:
Hazel Sainsbury
Dir. Of Equity Compliance, Title IX Coordinator
435.652.7747 (ext. 7747)
hazel.sainsbury@utahtech.edu
titleix@utahtech.edu
Incidents may also be reported directly to law enforcement, either separately or in conjunction with any report made to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, and the University will aid in making contact if requested.
Utah Tech University Police
435.275.4300 or by calling 9-1-1
Maintaining a safe and inclusive University community is a shared responsibility. For more information on how Title IX protections can benefit you and help us keep a productive campus environment, visit titleix.utahtech.edu to learn more.
Email Disclaimer
----------------
You are required to frequently check your Utah Tech email account as important class and university information will be sent to this account, including bills, financial aid/scholarship notices, notices of canceled classes, reminders of important dates and deadlines, course information, and other information critical to your success at UT. To access your Utah Tech email account, visit [mail.utahtech.edu](https://mail.utahtech.edu/). Your email account username is Digital-ID@utahtech.edu (e.g. D12345678@utahtech.edu). If you don’t know or have forgotten your Digital-ID or password, please visit [changepassword.utahtech.edu](https://changepassword.utahtech.edu/).
Useful Resources
----------------------------------
- [Disability Resource Center](https://drcenter.utahtech.edu/)
- [IT Help Desk](https://helpdesk.utahtech.edu/)
- [Library](https://library.utahtech.edu)
- [Testing Center](https://testing.utahtech.edu)
- [Tutoring Center](https://tutoring.utahtech.edu)
- [Writing Center](https://writingcenter.utahtech.edu)
NAME | SERVICE
-----|--------
[Utah Tech Student Resources](https://students.utahtech.edu/) | Visit this site to see many student resources in one place.
[Academic Advisement](https://advisement.utahtech.edu/) | Helps students make decisions about their courses and degree path.
[Academic Performance and Tutoring Center](https://tutoring.utahtech.edu/) | Offers one-on-one tutoring, study hall, and online tutoring to help students in many subjects ranging from Math to Foreign Language.
[Booth Wellness Center](https://wellness.utahtech.edu/) | Provides acute health care, referral services, health education, and brief mental health services.
[Campus Life](https://campuslife.utahtech.edu/) | The Utah Tech University Student Association offers a variety of ways to get involved socially at the university.
[Career Services](https://career.utahtech.edu/) | Assists students with career exploration, choosing a major, writing a resume, and getting a job.
[Dean of Students Office](https://deanofstudents.utahtech.edu/) | Serves as a primary advocate and support network for students. Assists students who are facing personal challenges, including financial, food, and housing concerns.
[Disability Resource Center](http://www.utahtech.edu/drcenter) | Serves students with disabilities by providing equal access to academic programs, non-academic activities, and campus facilities
[DRC Accessibility](https://drcenter.utahtech.edu/accommodations-available/) | A list of DRC services including exam accommodations, ASL interpreting, materials in alternative format, and more.
[Help Desk](https://helpdesk.utahtech.edu/) | Provides assistance for Canvas, Student Email, Student Services, Trailblazers wireless configuration, laptop assistance, and any other technical troubleshooting you may need help with.
[Library](http://library.utahtech.edu/) | Provides the resources necessary to facilitate research and enhance university curriculum and programs.
[Math Tutoring Center](https://math.utahtech.edu/mathtutoringcenter/) | Students can drop in to work on homework, take tests, and receive individualized or group tutoring. Online tutoring is also available.
[Student Support Services](https://trio.utahtech.edu/student-support-services/) | Provides a variety of free services to help first-generation, low-income, or students with disabilities to complete an associate degree and move on to a bachelor degree.
[Testing Center](https://testing.utahtech.edu/) | Provides all proctored exams on campus and can make accommodations for remotely proctored exams.
[Utah Health Scholars](https://uhs.utahtech.edu/) | Provides tutors for upper-division, health-related courses. Students must register into the UHP program to qualify for this free tutoring.
[Veterans Services](https://veterans.utahtech.edu/) | Offers tutoring for some classes and arranges tutoring in other centers for other classes. Must have VA benefits to qualify.
[Writing Center](https://writingcenter.utahtech.edu/) | Offers students personalized attention from tutors for writing.
{gradescale}
Minimum Percentage | Letter Grade | Minimum Percentage | Letter Grade | Minimum Percentage | Letter Grade | Minimum Percentage | Letter Grade
------------------------|--------------|-------------------------|--------------|-------------------------|--------------|-------------------------|-------------
94 | A | 84 | B | 74 | C | 64 | D
90 | A- | 80 | B- | 70 | C- | 60 | D-
87 | B+ | 77 | C+ | 67 | D+ | 0 | F
{website}
Assignment submissions and grades will be managed in the
[Canvas System](http://utahtech.instructure.com/).
{disability}
If you suspect or are aware that you have a disability that may
affect your success in the course you are strongly encouraged to
contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) located in the North
Plaza Building. The disability will be evaluated and eligible
students will receive assistance in obtaining reasonable
accommodations. Phone # 435-652-7516.
{importantdates202320}
Important Dates Spring 2023
-------------------------
Click on this link: for the official academic calendar, which has several important dates you should be aware of.
Jan 9 - Date classes begin
Jan 13 - Last day to add without instructor permission
Jan 20 - Last day for refund of 100% tuition and fees
Jan 23 - Late registration / payment fee – Purge date (students who have not paid tuition / fees IN FULL or made payment arrangements may be dropped from classes!)
Jan 30 - Pell Grant census date
Jan 30 - Last day for refund of 50% tuition and fees
Feb 6 - Last day to add or audit classes with instructor permission
Mar 1 - Midterm grades posted
Mar 3 - Last day to drop an individual class
Apr 10 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Apr 26 - Last day of classes
Apr 28-May 4 - Final Exam dates
May 5- Commencement
May 9 - Final grades posted
{unused}
Commencement (as applicable)
{importantdates202340}
Important Dates Fall 2023
-------------------------
Click on this link: for the official academic calendar, which has several important dates you should be aware of.
Aug 21 - Date classes begin
Aug 25 - Last day to add without instructor permission
Sep 1 - Last day for refund of 100% tuition and fees
Sep 5 - Late registration / payment fee – Purge date (students who have not paid tuition / fees IN FULL or made payment arrangements may be dropped from classes!)
Sep 11 - Pell Grant census date
Sep 11 - Last day for refund of 50% tuition and fees
Sep 18 - Last day to add or audit classes with instructor permission
Oct 11 - Midterm grades posted
Oct 18 - Last day to drop an individual class
Nov 15 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Dec 8 - Last day of classes
Dec 11-15 - Final Exam dates
Dec 19 - Final grades posted
{unused}
Commencement (as applicable)
{importantdates202420}
Important Dates Spring 2024
-------------------------
Click on this link: for the official academic calendar, which has several important dates you should be aware of.
Jan 8 - Date classes begin
Jan 12 - Last day to add without instructor permission
Jan 20 - Last day for refund of 100% tuition and fees
Jan 22 - Late registration / payment fee – Purge date (students who have not paid tuition / fees IN FULL or made payment arrangements may be dropped from classes!)
Jan 29 - Pell Grant census date
Jan 29 - Last day for refund of 50% tuition and fees
Feb 5 - Last day to add or audit classes with instructor permission
Mar 1 - Midterm grades posted
Mar 5 - Last day to drop an individual class
Apr 9 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Apr 25 - Last day of classes
Apr 26 - Reading day (no classes or exams)
Apr 29-May 2 - Final Exam dates
May 3- Commencement
May 6 - Final grades posted
{importantdates202440}
Important Dates Fall 2024
-------------------------
Click on [this link](https://catalog.utahtech.edu/academiccalendar/): for the official academic calendar, which has several important dates you should be aware of.
Aug 19 - Date classes begin
Aug 23 - Last day to add without instructor permission
Sep 9 - Last day for refund of tuition and fees
Sep 9 - Pell Grant census date
Sep 13 - Last day to add or audit classes with instructor permission
Oct 9 - Midterm grades posted
Oct 14 - Last day to drop an individual class
Nov 13 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Dec 5 - Last day of classes
Dec 9-12 - Final Exam dates
Dec 16 - Final grades posted
{importantdates202520}
Important Dates Spring 2025
-------------------------
Click on this link: for the official academic calendar, which has several important dates you should be aware of.
Jan 6 - Classes begin
Jan 10 - Last day to add without instructor permission
Jan 15 - DROP/AUDI fee begins
Jan 17 - Late registration / payment fee
Jan 27 - Last day for refund
Jan 27 - Pell Grant census date
Jan 27 - Last day to drop without receiving a "W" grade
Feb 3 - Last day to add or audit classes
Feb 26 - Midterm grades due
Mar 3 - Last day to withdraw from individual classes
Apr 8 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Apr 24 - Last day of classes
Apr 25 - Reading day (no classes or exams)
Apr 28-May 1 - Final Exams
May 2- Commencement
May 5 - Final grades due
{importantdates}
Important Dates Fall 2025
-------------------------
Click on this link for important dates:
Aug 20 - Classes Begin
Aug 26 – Last day to add w/out instructor signature
Aug 29 – $10 drop/audit fee begins ($10 per class)
Sept 1 Labor Day Holiday (no classes)
Sept 2 - Residency application deadline, $100 late registration/payment fee
Sept 10 – Last day for refund; Last day to drop w/out a W, Pell Grant Census
Sept 17 – Last day to add/audit any course w instructor signature
Oct 9-Oct 10 - Semester Break (no classes)
Oct 13 - Midterm grades due
Oct 17 - Last day to drop an individual class
Nov 14 - Last day for complete withdrawal from all classes
Nov 24-Nov 28 - Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
Dec 5 - Classes End
Dec 8 - Dec 11 - Final Exams
Dec 15 Final grades due by instructors