Computer Systems Laboratory

Course Information
ENGRD 2300 - Introduction to Digital Logic Design
Spring '09

In compliance with Cornell University's policy and equal access laws, the instructor is available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Student Disability Services to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations.

Getting Answers

Questions and answers are dealt with chiefly through Blackboard's ENGRD 2300 discussion forums. Whenever you have a question about the material, look for the answer in the discussion forums first; if you do not find it, post your question. Staff can also be reached directly at engrd2300@csl.cornell.edu, however we reserve the right to post your email in the discussion forums (along with any answer) if we believe that others may benefit from it. If you may have an answer or comment to someone else's post, by all means post it as well. Do not send email to our personal addresses directly with material-related questions.

This course makes extensive use of Cornell's Blackboard system. You are solely responsible for keeping up with the contents, particularly the posted announcements. The site also contains various online resources to help you (lecture slides, etc.).

Office hours are (or will be) posted. You should take advantage of these to discuss matters that cannot be easily addressed in the discussion forums. Please notice that students randomly showing up with material-related questions outside of office hours will be kindly invited to use the appropriate time slots and then turned away.

Grading

Exams

There will be two prelim exams and a final exam. Exams are closed notes, closed book. You will only be allowed to bring two pencils and an eraser; no electronic devices of any kind. Exam booklets will be provided.

If you cannot attend an exam because of observance of a religious holiday, arrangements can be made as long as you notify staff by January 31, 2009.

Homework

There will be a number of homework sets. Assignments will be announced in class. Unless explicitly stated, you may work together on any homework problem, however you must write up your solution alone; please read Academic Integrity below. Homeworks must be submitted by 5pm EST on the due date; see Late Policy below.

Projects

There will be a number of lab projects ("labs"). You will be assigned a partner for each lab. You may not switch partners without prior consent from an instructor (not a TA). Each lab requires prior submission of a prelab where you will show your design. Failure to submit a resonable prelab will result in a 20-point deduction in your lab's grade.

Grade Weights

Homework 10%
Prelim #1 10%
Prelim #2 20% (cumulative material)
Final 30% (cumulative material)
Labs 30%

Regrade Requests

All regrade requests must be submitted online. The request must state exactly what should be regraded and why. The regrade request has to be received within one week from when the grade in question has been posted.

Extra Credit

We may boost your grade by up to 1/3 of a letter, e.g., from B+ to A-, at my discretion if we believe your contribution in the course has been remarkable in some (positive) way, e.g. active in-class participation. (Note that you can achieve the maximum grade without resorting to this aid.)

Late Policy

ONE MINUTE LATE = NOT SUBMITTED = ZERO

No late submissions will be accepted and no personal extensions will be granted (but see lifeline provision for projects below). In particular, a high workload, other projects with similar due dates, and exams in other classes are not acceptable reasons for an extension. The only exception to this general rule is a family or medical emergency (proof required). Consider submitting early instead.

Lifeline provision

As an exception to the rule, and because "stuff happens," each student has one lifeline that may be used to secure a 24h extension (that's 1,440 minutes) on a homework or lab submission. In the case of a group submission, neither party must have used her/his lifeline previously, and both parties' lifelines will be used up. It may be wise to find out whether your partner has a lifeline well before a project deadline.

Academic Integrity

This section is particularly important; please read carefully.

The term "group" in this section refers to yourself if you work alone or to you and your partner in case of a group (team of two) project.

The work your group submits is expected to be the result of your group's effort only. The use of a computer in no way modifies the standards of academic integrity expected under the Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity.

You are encouraged to study together and to discuss information and concepts covered in lecture with other students. You can give "consulting" help to or receive "consulting" help from such students. However, this cooperation should never involve one group having possession of a copy of all or part of the work done by some other group, including work from previous years. This applies to computer files as well.

Should copying occur, both the student(s) who copied work from another student and the student(s) who gave material to be copied will automatically receive a zero on the work, and an extra penalty will be assessed, ranging anywhere from a deduction on the final grade to failure of the course and university disciplinary action.

During exams, you must do your own work. Communication among students is not permitted during the exams, nor may you compare or borrow notes, copy from others, or collaborate in any way.

You are strongly encouraged to read Cornell University's Code of Academic Integrity, available at http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/AIC.html