User Interface Design

CS 4750B Spring 2003

General course information and policies

Electronic information

The use of electronic technology in the classroom will play a critical role in this class. As with other classes, we will use electronic means to disseminate information about the class, such as homework assignments, grades, and general announcements outside of class. We will try to make as much use as possible of electronic information exchange. The three major electronic means of exchange will be electronic mail, a collaborative Web discussion space and a class World Wide Web (WWW) home page. If you aren't already familiar with these Internet-based tools, now is the time to find out.

Electronic mail

Probably the most dependable way to contact the instructor is by e-mail. Whenever you send e-mail, please make sure you include your full name on the message, as it is sometimes difficult to decipher student mail addresses.

WWW

You are currently reading text from the class Web pages for CS 4750. There are a variety of ways to access this page using any of a number of WWW browsers (lynx, Mosaic, netscape, etc.). For example, you can traverse links directly from the College of Computing home page (follow education links and then the class Websites link)). Or you can access this page directly by opening the URL: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2003/cs4750b_spring/.

The class syllabus, indicating lecture topics, reading, homework and lab assignments, will be posted on the class Web page and will be continually updated throughout the quarter. You should make it a regular habit to consult the syllabus. (Note: Since the syllabus is constantly updated, make sure you explicitly reload the page to ensure that you are looking at the latest version of the page. )

All project work will be made available via the Web page for the class. Individual project teams will be responsible for preparing a Web notebook of project deliverables.

Discussion spaces

In the past, we have made use of a class newsgroup, but its use has dwindled substantially for a variety of reasons. As an alternative, we will be making use of a collaborative Web discussion space, called a CoWeb. More on that as the course progresses.

Grading

The final grades will be calculated based on the following weighting scheme. It is possible that this weighting scheme will be adjusted as the quarter progresses. Any such changes will be announced to the class.

**Grade weighting**
Category	Weight
Individual assignments (approx. 3)	10%
Group project	50%
Exam 1	10%
Exam 2	10%
Final	10%
Class participation Peer review	10%

Students taking the class pass/fail must receive a B or better to pass the class. They will need to be active members of a project team, do the homework assignments and take the exams. Students auditing the class should not be counted as an active member of a project teams.

Homework

Periodic homework assigments may be given as individual assignments. All homework must be handed in by the beginning of class on the day the assignment is due. Homework will be marked down 10% for each full day (rounded up) it is late, with or without an excuse. The assignments will be posted on the Web syllabus.

Homework will be graded and returned within one week of receipt. Any questions about grading of homework should be directed to a TA within one week of return date.

Exams

There will be two exams during the semester, the last during finals week. All exams will be based on reading, lectures, homework and group project assignments. The instructor will provide a review class for the two exams. The two exams will be returned within one week. Questions about exam grading should be directed to the TA within one week of the return. Adjustments in exam grades will be rare and could equally well result in a lowering or raising of the grade.

Group project

A large part of this course will consist of a project done in groups. More complete information on the project is presented elsewhere. Project groups will be 3-4 member teams. There will be five separate project milestones with a written deliverable due for each. There will be four opportunities for groups to present the progress on their work during the semester, corresponding to the last four deliverables. The first three presentations will be in the form of open poster sessions held during lecture time. The final presentation will be held during the last week of the semester, with each group being given a slot to present final results on their project. The poster and final presentation grades will be graded together with the associated deliverable.

Class participation/Attendance

A good portion of the learning in a graduate class comes from intelligent discussion involving the instructor and the students. Consequently, some portion of your grade will be determined by class participation. If you don't attend class, you cannot participate, and your grade may reflect that. I expect that each student will make an effort to attend all lectures and contribute constructively to the discussion.

I want to know who you are, so please make an effort to speak in class and talk to me outside of class. If by the end of the quarter I don't know your name, it won't necessarily be my fault.

Class participation also includes your active participation in the group project. At the end of the semester, each student will be given the opportunity to comment (anonymously, if desired) on the contribution to the overall project be each individual on the team. If certain members do not pull their weight, those members' class participation grade will reflect this.

Other policies

Students are expected to attend all lectures on time. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This expectation includes showing up for exams at the appointed time. Late make-up exams will not be given. Any conflicts with exam times should be brought to the instructor's attention as soon as possible and in all cases PRIOR to the examination period.

Students are expected to follow the university's code of academic conduct. Cases of suspected academic misconduct will be immediately forwarded to the Dean of Student Affairs, and will be pursued to resolution. This is an unpleasant process for all involved, so please do not put yourself in this situation. Group projects are expected to be done collaboratively. Individual homework assignments, unless otherwise indicated, are expected to be done by individuals without collaboration. The take-home final is also an individual assignment, with no expectation of collaboration.

Above all, I would like to adhere to the reasonable person principle.

Last modified: Sat Aug 19 15:01:59 EDT 2001