Course Work and Grading

• Grading:
  • Four written assignments: 20%, 5% each
  • Two projects: 1st: 10 %; 2nd: 15%
  • Mid-Term Exam: 25% (In-class closed book)
  • Final Exam: 30% (In-class open book)
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  Grading is absolute. No curve. The grading system for this course is A-F. The scale will be as follows: [93 --100] A [90 -- 93) A- [87 -- 90) B+ [83 -- 87) B [80 -- 83) B- [75 -- 80) C+ [70 -- 75) C [65 -- 70) C- [60 -- 65) D+ [50 -- 60) D [00 -- 50) F


• Homework Assignments: There will be four homework assignments. These will test your knowledge of networking, both conceptual and practical. Coming to class is essential for good homework performance. For homeworks, you will have 1.5-2 weeks in general. Homeworks are to be done individually. Each assignment must be submitted on-line using the submit utility. We do not accept hard copies (in order to save trees!). The online submission is due by 11am on the assignment due date. Please see the class schedule and important for the timing of assignments, projects, exams, etc. The feedback (e.g., corrections and comments) on the assignment will be delivered through email and grades can be checked online through Grits. Late submission policy: One day late 10% (by 11:00 am next day). See more details on Late policy below. There will be four assignments.
   
• Projects: There will be two lab programming assignments. The purpose of the labs is to give you hands-on experience with network applications and a deeper understanding of how network protocols work. They will be due by 11am on the due date. The first one is to be done individually and the second is a team project (2-3 members). You will have 3-4 weeks to complete them using the ITLab Unix machines. Projects will be submitted electronically. You will get tired of me shouting "START EARLY" on the labs, but it is in your best interest to do so because the policy on late work will be tough: you may submit ONE project late during the semester with a 10% point reduction; late work must be submitted by There will be four assignments. Each assignment must be submitted on-line using the submit utility. We do not accept hard copies (in order to save trees!). Please see the class schedule and important for the timing of assignments, projects, exams, etc. The feedback (e.g., corrections and comments) on the assignment will be delivered through email and grades can be checked online through Grits. Late submission policy: One day late 10% (by 11 am next day). Of course, unusual circumstances will be considered including illness, personal problems, religious reasons, etc. (note: I didn't include vacations, job interviews). For group projects, all members of the team will receive the same lab grade. Submission protocol: For online submission, you will submit a tar'ed directory that includes your code, header files (if any), your build/run script(s), makefiles, and any necessary test data that was not supplied as part of the assignment. Names of the group members and the instructions for building and running your code must be in an additional text file called readme.txt. Each online submission is timestamped with the time of submission. Multiple submissions result in only the last timestamp being retained. Therefore, to avoid losing points, you must make sure you are not uploading your assignment after the due date. We will make every attempt to email back the results of the assignments one week after they are handed in. If you have questions regarding the grading of your homework assignments, labs or exams, you must come to see either the instructor or the TA within two weeks after the date your homework, projects or exams have been returned to you. If you cannot see us within two weeks, you need to email us within two weeks and make an appointment. Unless we hear from you, no changes will be made after two weeks. If you believe that your homework, projects or exams have been lost, please notify us as soon as possible (within two weeks). We are not responsible for missing homework, projects or exams two weeks after they have been returned.
   
• Exams: The purpose of the 2 exams is for you to demonstrate that you understand the key networking concepts and issues. Exams are necessary to determine how you are really doing in the class. Exams also give me global feedback about the course in general, feedback that I have often used to make "mid-course" corrections to improve the class as we go along. If you must miss an exam, send me e-mail ASAP, and you must make every effort to notify me PRIOR to the exam. A makeup is not guaranteed. Acceptable excuses are usually limited to serious personal problems or injury, religious needs, or substantial participation in University sanctioned student events. The exam dates will be announced on the website and in class. There will be a mid-term in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam. The mid-term exam will cover the material for the previous 7-8 weeks. The final will focus on the newer material, but can include earlier material. There will be one mid-term and one final exam.

Communication Information about the course will be communicated in class and via this website. This includes the schedule, dates, additional reference materials, announcements, and information about assignments. For direct communication, the TA and instructor have office hours to assist you. There is also a course bulletin-board (forum) that can be used for anonymous posting of questions or information, NOT solutions. Please use the forum for any questions you may have. The TA, or (hopefully) other students will post answers (as appropriate). If the question is inappropriate for the forum, e-mail the TA (he will forward e-mail to me if necessary). Note: I do not read the forum often, but the TA will keep me appraised of any issues. If you need to speak with me about an urgent matter, come to office hours or email. Note: we reserve the right to moderate this forum if it is used inappropriately. The TA is the best "first line of defense" for questions and lab programming help.

Collaboration For questions concering the labs or homework, you can talk to the TA or myself. Limit discussion with your classmates or the access the forum to get information about the meaning of lab or homework concepts, NOT elements of a solution. For the second lab, collaboration within your team is of course expected. In general, cheating on the labs, homeworks, or exams will be dealt with swiftly and severely in accordance with University policies.

Disability Statement: Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the instructor and Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. All discussions will remain confidential. For further information contact the University of Minnesota Disability Services website at http://ds.umn.edu/ or call 612/626-1333.