Course Overview: Welcome to Dr. Johnson's CIS 270! I am very glad to have you in my class. CIS 270 is continuation of CIS 260 covering more advanced topics in object-oriented application development using Java. Prerequisite: CIS 260.

Required Texts and Supplies: One book: Big Java, 3rd ed., Horstmann. You may also need flash disks or CD-ROMs to store files; also, a package of 3" x 5" note cards.

Exams and Quizzes: You will take two exams, a final, and about eight quizzes throughout the semester. All of the quizzes will consist of answering multiple choice questions and writing small amounts of code. The exams will consist of writing complete Java programs on the computer. You may use any number of 3" x 5" note cards on all quizzes and you may use any notes, books, files, and the Internet on exams. The cards must be in your own original handwriting (no printing, photocopying, reductions, or cutting and pasting) and you cannot share any notes or other materials during a quiz or exam. Also, you cannot communicate with anyone during an exam. Violation of these rules will constitute plagiarism and/or cheating and will be accompanied by severe penalties as described below.

Make-ups: Make-up exams/quizzes are possible only if (1) you have received my prior approval (for an extremely good, documented reason), or (2) you have a documented emergency approved by me; otherwise, you will receive a "0" for the missed exam/quiz. ALL make-up exams/quizzes must be taken on the Friday of the last week of the semester (no exceptions).

Assignments: Assignments are to be completed by the beginning of the class period on the due date. Late assignments turned in by the beginning of the next class period will receive half credit--after that, no credit will be given. You will be requested at random several times during the semester to turn in your assignment for grading (make sure your files are working properly BEFORE you turn them in).  Your assignment score will be based on whether your work (1) meets all requirements, (2) follows acceptable style and convention, and (3) is explained adequately (if requested). If you are not able to explain your solution, you may not receive credit. You are encouraged to work in groups and discuss general concepts and techniques, but the work you present for grading must always be completely your own. Do not use the printouts, notes, or files of anyone else to complete your assignments, and do not provide any of your printouts, notes, or files to anyone else, since either situation constitutes plagiarism and/or cheating and may be accompanied by severe penalties as described below. When you complete assignments or take exams, make sure you are using only the methods and techniques we have studied in class. Do not use any other "advanced" or significantly different methods or techniques that you know or that someone else may have shown you. This could result in a reduced score or worse, since passing off others' work as your own is plagiarism. Make sure you always back up all your work on another disk and the Magenta server (\\magenta) at MSU in case of computer or disk failure since I may need your backup for grading. DO NOT OPEN OR ALTER YOUR BACKUP FILES IN ANY WAY OR YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT!!!

Class Procedures: Significant, meaningful, positive, and sustained contribution during class will be appreciated, and will result in one (1) to three (3) bonus final grade percentage points. Always ask questions when you feel the need. Negative contribution or unprofessional actions during class, such as disruptive behavior, disrespect directed toward the instructor or other students, sleeping, reading newspapers, etc., may result in the loss of bonus points already received. No food or drink are allowed during class! No one other than those on the class role will be allowed in the classroom. Cell phones/pagers should be turned off or set to silent mode before class begins. No electronic devices, other than lab computers, can be used during class (iPods, cell phones, PDAs, etc.). An exception would be if devices such as pagers or cell phones activate simultaneously, in which case they may be checked for possible emergency situations, after which they must be reset to silent mode. Do not leave the classroom except in case of an emergency. Disruptive behavior may also result in your removal from the class role (see http://www.missouristate.edu/registrar/classdis.html for the MSU policy on class disruption). You must check the course web site (http://www.professorjohnson.net or http://courses.missouristate.edu/richardjohnson/default.htm) every day for important announcements. I will use Bearmail to communicate with you, so please check this email account regularly.

Attendance: Everyone is expected to attend all class meetings and to arrive to class on time. All students begin the semester with five (5) bonus final-grade percentage points for perfect attendance and promptness. If you are absent (excused or unexcused) you lose 1 bonus point. If you are late (or leave early) for any reason, you lose 0.5 bonus points. Missing more than 20% of the class will count as an absence. You should leave class early only with prior approval or in case of a real emergency. Remember that you will NOT get to keep bonus points for wishing you were in class or on time. If you arrive late, you must notify me immediately after class or it will remain recorded as an absence.  You can read the official MSU attendance policy on the university web site.

Grading: Grades will be based on the following scale: 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D, <60%=F. All quizzes together will count as one regular exam, equal in weight to each of the other regular exams. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. The final course percentage will be calculated based on these weights: 60% total for the three regular exams, 20% for the homework, and 20% for the final. Any questions about scores received on exams, quizzes, or assignments must be brought to the my attention within one week of grade posting. Otherwise, no adjustments will be possible. Students dropping the course after the deadline for an automatic "N" will receive an "N" only if the recorded grade at the time of the drop is above "F" --otherwise, the grade will be "F" (no exceptions). Students will not be allowed to drop the course after the final drop deadline (please check the MSU academic calendar for this date).

Prescription for Success: To receive the best grade, you should strive to do ALL the following to the best of your ability:  (1) attend all classes, (2) read assigned material carefully and take notes, (3) add to your notes during class discussion, (4) ask questions and get involved in class discussion, (5) read and complete all assignments carefully, and (6) ask for help when you don't understand something. I hope you have a very rewarding and successful semester!

Academic Integrity Policy: MSU is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity.  You are responsible for knowing and following SMSU’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/provost/AcademicIntegrity.html and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy. It is your responsibility to read and understand MSU’s Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures. Any student detected participating in any form of academic dishonesty in this course, including the unauthorized access or use of University computers, computer systems, or computer networks*, will be subject to the following sanctions:

• Denying credit on an assignment and/or examination; requiring additional assignments and/or examinations; lowering the course grade; receiving a failing course grade (F); receiving a failing course grade of XF, which indicates the failing grade was due to academic dishonesty (this grade will remain on the transcript for at least one year); the instructor of this course may send written notification of any sanctions imposed to the Academic Integrity Council, so that repeat offenders may be detected; in addition to these sanctions, the instructor of this course may request that the Academic Integrity Council impose more severe sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the University.  

*Giving your password or account to others is included in the definition of unauthorized computer use.

Nondiscrimination Policy: MSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to Jana Estergard, Equal Opportunity Officer, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. The MSU statement of nondiscrimination can be found on the university web site.

Disability Accommodation Policy: To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, Director, Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY). Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact Dr. Steve Capps, Director, Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787.

Last updated on 01/13/09