Syllabus



Goals

Learning Goals are broad and somewhat immeasurable goals that I want you to achieve by the end of the course. Learning Objectives are concrete, measurable learning outcomes that will help you to reach the Learning Goals.

Learning Goals

Learning Objectives


Honor Code

You are expected to maintain the highest level of academic integrity in this course. All work you turn in should be your own. However, collaboration on problem sets and programming assignments is not only allowed, but encouraged, as long as you adhere to the following guidelines:

For problem sets, you may discuss or work on problems with others, but you should write up your solutions on your own, using your own words. However, I recommend practicing solving some problems on your own, since this is what you will have to do for quizzes and exams.

For programming assignments, spend as much time as you would like working with others to understand the project and sketch out an approach. Then, when you are ready, without the notes you used while working with others, write your own program. You may also discuss debugging approaches with a peer, but again, you should make changes to your code on your own. You may use code snippets that you find online to implement specific functionality, if you make a note in a comment about where you found the code, but you should not try to find code online that implements the full assignment.

If you work with another student on a problem set or programming assignment, please acknowledge that person (e.g. "I worked with xxx.")

The exams and quizzes must be entirely your own work. Exams and quizzes should be completed without any notes or other resources, unless specifically allowed for. You may not share any information about tests or quizzes with any other students, either within or outside of the course.


Inclusion

My goal is to create a classroom environment that is equitable, inclusive, and welcoming, in order to promote learning for all students. If aspects of this course create a barrier to inclusion, please let me know, and I will do my best to rectify the situation.

Academic Accommodations

Students with documented disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact me as early in the semester as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Assistance is available to eligible students through Student Accessibility Services. Please contact the ADA Coordinator Jodi Litchfield, who can be reached at litchfie@middlebury.edu or 802-443-5936 for more information. All discussions will remain confidential.


Learning

Learning happens when you develop new neural pathways. You do this by repeatedly practicing a skill. Thus, my role is not to impart information, but to facilitate your learning by providing guided practice with feedback.


Logistics

Time and Location
200A: MWF 8:00 AM-8:50-AM in MBH 403
200B: MWF 9:05 AM-9:55-AM in MBH 403
Faculty Info
Shelby Kimmel
Please call me "Professor Kimmel" or "Professor"
Pronouns: she/her
Office: MBH 635
skimmel [at] middlebury (dot) edu
Prof Office Hours
Location: MBH 635
Please come to office hours with specific questions, comments, or concerns
  • Drop-in: Mon: 12-1, Wed: 10-11, Thur: 9:30-10:30
  • Appointment: go/KimmelHours. I will post hours at the beginning of each week - these will vary based on my schedule.
  • E-mail: As a last resort, if Drop-in and Appointment hours don't work with your schedule and you would like to meet, please send me an e-mail.
Communication
  • Email: I will e-mail you for urgent matters. You can always feel free to e-mail me, but I will not answer coding questions or problem set questions via e-mail, except for logistical questions.
  • Announcements: I will use for less urgent messages (e.g. a change in office hours)
  • Calendar: I will keep up-to-date with assignments and lecture notes.
Peer Tutors
See the CS Tutoring Site
BiHall Math Lab
TBD
Canvas Site
Here
Department Wiki
Click Me! I'm super useful!

Technology

You are strongly discouraged from using any type of cell phone, tablet, or computer during class, unless you have a compelling reason why it will enhance your learning. Taking notes on a laptop has been shown to lower quiz scores not only for the student using the device, but for nearby students as well (because it distracts those around you).

If technology is used inappropriately, I reserve the right to forbid its use.


Class Participation

Your participation grade is based on your attendance (including on-time arrival) and the quality of your group work

Group Work

Attendance

Because of the emphasis on group work, it is important that you attend class regularly. I will use Plickers to keep attendance and for feedback, but the correctness of your Plicker responses will not affect your grade. If you lose your Plicker QR code, ask me for your number and print out another copy from here.

Assessments

Problem Sets

The problem sets provide you with opportunities to practice problem solving, and importantly, to figure out what you understand and where you need additional practice. The problems will not necessarily be cookie-cutter versions of the problems we do in class. Instead, you will sometimes have to transfer knowledge from a problem you've seen before to something new. The only way to develop this skill is to practice. If you need additional practice beyond the problem set, you are responsible for finding further practice problems (for example in these open access textbooks).

You will be graded on effort and thoughtfulness, not correctness. Each problem set will have four parts, and all parts are submitted through Canvas. I will drop your two lowest problem set scores.

For problems where there are many correct (and many incorrect) approaches, such as proofs, TAs will also provide a "grade" for that problem using the Canvas feedback system after you have submitted your self-grade. This TA grade is only for feedback purposes and will not affect your grade in the class. Additionally, if you put questions into your self-grade, the TAs will respond.

If you are the first to find a typo in the problem set or solutions, I will give you a small bonus.

Sometimes, life happens. You can choose to not submit up to 2 problem sets (all parts) without an effect on your grade. If you turn in all problem sets, I will drop your two lowest problem set grades. You do not need to tell me when you are not turning them in. You are still responsible for all material.

Programming Assignments

There will be two programming assignments. They will be graded for correctness, readability, documentation, and style, and can be written in Java or Python.

Goals:

Quizzes

There will be a weekly quiz for me to assess your understanding and problem solving. Additionally, studies have shown that giving these types of assessments improves learning through the "testing effect." Quizzes will usually consist of two problems, one from topics on the problem set due earlier that week, and one from earlier topics. Some quizzes will be held in class, and some will be taken at home through Canvas. All quizzes are completely closed book/note (unless otherwise specified) and must be completed individually. I will drop your two lowest quiz scores.

Tests

The midterms will be self-scheduled. You should plan to set aside 3 hours during the exam window to take the test. If your schedule will not allow this, please let me know as soon as possible. The dates of the midterms are:

You can take the final in the time slot for either section. Please do not schedule travel plans until the finals schedule is announced.


Grading

Your final grade will be determined as follows:


Attendance:

It is important for you to attend class because of the group problem solving we do - your being in class helps your classmates to learn, just like their presence will help you to learn. It is also important that you are on time to class, as it is disruptive not just to you, but also to the people you work with if you are trying to catch up on what you missed instead of working on the current material. Thus, your class participation grade will depend on your regular, on-time attendance. If you will have to miss a class, please let me know as early as possible; you are still responsible for the missed material. I will be happy to answer questions related to the lecture, but I will not repeat the lecture for students who missed the original.


Texts

There are no required texts; lecture notes are posted on the Calendar. However, you may find the following open access textbooks useful for finding practice problems. In addition, you may find SensusAccess helpful, a service which converts pdfs into mp3 or ebook format.

Recommended:

For Additional Practice: