CS2550: Policies

CS2550: Principles of Database Systems

Policies

If you have any questions on the policies below, please contact the instructor.

COVID-19 Operation

Mode of Instruction and Masking Mandate
	Based on the current guidelines from the University, call for all community members to wear masks while indoors in shared spaces that are not designated dining areas, regardless of their vaccination status. This means that during in-person class time and in-person office hours, all parties must wear a mask. You may not remove your mask in the classroom for any amount of time or for any reason including taking a sip of water. If you need to get a drink of water, please exit the classroom. If you have a qualifying medical condition, you should seek advice from the Disability Resources and Services (DRS) office. Unless and until you have written clearance from DRS to go without a mask indoors, you must always wear a mask. These rules have been developed to protect the health and safety of all community members. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you not being permitted to attend class in person and could result in a Student Conduct violation. The following links have more information about the University masking policy, including a definition of an appropriate face covering. `https://www.policy.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/covid/COVID_Rules-final.pdf` `https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/frequently-asked-questions-about-face-coverings` For the most up-to-date information and guidance, please visit coronavirus.pitt.edu and check your Pitt email for updates before each class.

Dealing with the Unexpected
	In the event that the instructor is not able to come to campus because of sickness or travel, we have made specific plans. If the instructor is able to teach the class, the mode of instruction might switch for that day from the physical classroom to the Zoom classroom. You will be given as much advance notice as possible. Zoom links and passwords will be made available on Canvas and shared by email and on Campuswire. Also, if you are sick, you should not attend class that day and you are encouraged to take advantage of our office hours. You should consider building a good study relationship with your peers in this class, because that will help you make up for missing classes due to illness. (also, see Collaboration vs. Cheating)

Pitt Community Compact
	A pledge created by a dozen undergraduate, graduate and professional students to,"uphold the health and safety of our community," amid the pandemic by promoting responsible behaviors. Let us all take the pledge

General Policies

Academic Honesty
	Unless explicitely noted otherwise, the work in this course is to be done independently. Discussions with other students on the assignments should be limited to understanding the statement of the problems (except when assignments are to be done in groups, in which case it is expected of members of the same group to work together). Cheating in any way, including giving your work to someone else will result in an F for the course and a report to the appropriate University authority. Submissions that are alike in a substantive way will be considered to be cheating by ALL involved parties. Please protect yourselves by only storing your files in private directories, and by retrieving all printouts promptly. Also, please make sure you read, understand and abide by the Academic Integrity Code for the School of Computing and Information.
Email Communication
	In order to receive the highest priority, you should send all email regarding class matters to and you must include the keyword cs2550 in the subject line of your email messages. Your email will go to the instructor and the TA. Note that this email address works only within the pitt.edu domain. If you have a confidential matter, then please email the instructor directly, but make sure to include again the keyword cs2550 in the subject line of your email messages. We will make every effort to respond to all email requests within one business day at the latest.

Class Mailing List
	All students must subscribe to the class mailing list, so that they receive time-sensitive information from the instructor.

Grading

Assignments and Projects:	35%
Midterm Exam:	30%
Final Exam:	30%
Participation:	5%

Assignments

All written assignments must be submitted electronically using the submission site.

Late Submissions

There are no late submissions. An assignment which is late will be accepted only under special circumstances with the instructor's permission prior to its deadline. In such a case, the instructor will determine any penalty in a fair manner.

Grade Appeals

Grades can be appealed up to two weeks after they have been posted; no appeals will be considered after that time.

Students with Disabilities:

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY) as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accomodations for this course. The DRS web page is http://www.drs.pitt.edu/.

Religious Observances:

In order to accommodate the observance of religious holidays, students should inform the instructor of any such days which conflict with scheduled class activities within the first two weeks of the term by email.

Recording/Copyright Policies

Audio/Video Recording
	To ensure the free and open discussion of ideas, students may not record classroom lectures and recitations, discussion and/or activities without the advance written permission of the instructor, and any such recording properly approved in advance can be used solely for the student's own private use.

Cell Phone Use
	Answering a cell phone or texting is disruptive and hence any use of a cell phone is not permitted in the class or recitation. Cell phones must be switched to silent mode and if you have a phone call which cannot wait until the end of the class, you need to step out of the class and then answer it.

Copyrighted Material
	All material provided through this web site is subject to copyright. This applies to class/recitation notes, slides, assignments, solutions, project descriptions, etc. You are allowed (and expected!) to use all the provided material for personal use. However, you are strictly prohibited from sharing the material with others in general and from posting the material on the Web or other file sharing venues in particular.