Introduction to Database Systems EECS-3421B | York University | Fall 2020

Components

Quizzes, Exams, & Attendeance

The quizzes, tests and final exam must be taken when scheduled, unless the student has extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical). The student must obtain approval from the instructor. (The student need not obtain a medical report for medical situations; but a reasonable case must be made.)

If a test or quiz is missed (with cause) and the instructor accpets your reason, the weight of the test will be shifted to the final exam.

Class attendance is important as the student will have an opportunity to ask for clarification of course and text material. There will be problem solving sessions during class period so that students gain experience applying the theory in practice. However, attendance itself is not part of the grade or otherwise enforced.

Late Work Policy

No late assignments will be accepted. Assignments submitted after the due date will not be marked and will receive a grade of 0. If you are at risk of missing a deadline due to a busy week, try to hand in a working (and tested) version of assignment. In the event of an illness or other catastrophe, contact me as soon as possible. Do not wait until the due date has passed. It is always easier to make alternate arrangements before the due date or test day.

E-mail Policy

On e-mail from students with questions regarding course materials.

• I will not answer these e-mails by e-mail reply, in general.

  My time is spent more productively for the class's sake in different ways. For pertinent questions on the materials that students send me by e-mail — or for questions that many people seem to be having — I will try to address them in class.

  If you have an urgent question I have not addressed, come see me during my office hours, or make an appointment if you need to. Many students do this already; it is a good use of my time and theirs. I can usually answer a question a student asks in person in about a tenth the time than by an e-mail exchange. Writing it out takes much longer. And for many of the questions people send me, the question is often unclear. It then requires a back and forth by e-mail several times.

On e-mail from students with issues regarding administrative matters.

• For administrative requests (e.g., “I cannot make the test,”), e-mail is fine, of course, and I will attempt to answer you directly.

On all e-mails from students to instructor or TAs:

• Please include [EECS3421B] or[EECS3421A] at the beginning of the subject line so we are able to sort it.
• Please use a York University account when e-mailing me or TAs (with regards to the course), so that we can know who it is.
• or include enough information (e.g., full name, login name and student number) when e-mailing me or TAs, so that we can locate sender more clearly.

I do not mind students sending questions by e-mail. Just do not necessarily expect a direct reply. I do read them, and I try to address the issues and questions people raise. If your question or issue remains after some time, do let me know.

Academic Integrity, Honesty, & Plagiarism

The Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science's Academic Honesty Guidelines are in effect for this course, as indeed, they are for any EECS course.

All of the work you submit must be done by you and your work must not be submitted by someone else. Plagiarism is defined as taking the language, ideas, or thoughts of another, and representing them as your own. If you use someone else's ideas, cite them. If you use someone else's words, clearly mark them as a quotation. Note that plagiarism includes using another's computer programs or pieces of a program. All noted instances of plagiarism will be reported.

These policies are not intended to keep students from working with other students. One can learn much working with others, so this is to be encouraged. Should you encounter any situations for which you are uncertain whether the collaboration is permitted or not, please ask.