Course Policies
31 Dec 2020The structure of this course makes it critical for you to be in attendance. The way we’ll learn is through sharing of perspectives in discussions, through case studies and (guest) lectures, through in class exercises, and through discussion/critique of the work we make. This means it’s beyond important for you to be in class and on time.
Grading
All work must be submitted or presented by the deadline. Late work will not be accepted.
This course will assign a mixture of independent and group based projects. For independent projects, all work submitted must represent a distinct product by that individual and may not be produced in partnership with any peer within the class. Group projects allow for collaboration but expect that all members contribute to the final work equally. Work submitted for assessment in one class may not be submitted in full or in part for assessment in a second class.
Please visit the section on grading for a full description.
Regrading
Grades received are final. Work will not be considered for regrading. Exceptions may be provided for disability accommodations.
Process Documentation
Students are expected to maintain good documentation of their work process throughout the course. It is recommended that all students should maintain a journal (notebook, blog, etc) and regularly photograph (or video) their creative work as it is being prepared. Students will be asked to share this documentation with the instructor as part of regular assignments and graded outcomes.
Required Texts
There are no required texts for this class. Regular readings will be assigned on the topic. Regular readings will be assigned. Digital and photocopied reading/viewing material will be provided by the instructor and made available on the course Canvas and/or on the course webpage.
Hardware and Software
Projects may require the use of specialized software and/or hardware. A range of tools will be made available to students from course stock (e.g. videoconferencing technologies, iBeacons, microcontrollers, and software) as well as, IDeATe Lending and Physical Computing’s inventory. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the tools and resources available as early as possible (see below).
Facilities and Lab Use
The course will use the IDeATe Physical Computing Studio in Hunt Library. Students are required to comply with the policies and procedures for the IDeaTe facilities (see: https://resources.ideate.cmu.edu) and specifically for the Physical Computing Lab and Lending. Current information on accessing IDeATes facilities can be found on their facilities and resources website.
The Physical Computing lab is a shared space used by your colleagues and by other classes. The maintenance of the lab is the responsibility of the students i.e. students should clean up the lab as they use it and leave it in good working condition for others.
IDeATe and the Physical Computing Lab provides some short term lending of tools, parts and consumable components for use in student projects. These are available for reasonable use only and abuse of this resource or lab itself may result in loss of access.
For some of the assignments, students maybe be required to use specific equipment, hardware or software. All required equipment (hardware, components, etc.) will be made available for these assignments (see below). Additional and advanced hardware and components may be accessed in the Physical Computing Studio and in the IDeATe equipment lending pool which is open 7 days a week in the basement of Hunt Library. Required hardware (laptops, cameras, peripherals) may be checked out on request. If particular equipment is needed but is not available in the Studio or the Equipment Lending Library, let me know.
The classrooms and maker facilities fall within the Hunt Library hours of operation. Outside of class times, the Physical Computing Lab, along with any other IDeATe spaces, are available for your individual and collaborative work. Keep in mind that other classes use Physical Computing and you should avoid disrupting these classes. This online calendar highlights times that IDeATe spaces are in use for classes or meetings. Use this to plan accordingly.
Access to some spaces and resources in IDeATe, such as the 3D printers and laser cutters, may require safety training to be completed. For example, gaining access to laser cutters requires, completing the online Laser Cutter Safety module offered by CMU Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Fire Extinguisher Training class offered, and an equipment-specific safety training conducted by IDeATe staff. More information on this can be found on the Laser Cutter Policies. Plan accordingly in case you might need access for some of your project work. If you don’t have the training complete, you can attend Open Fabrication Hours offered Monday to Friday from 5pm-6pm during the academic year.
Course Costs and Fees
There are no fees associated with this course.
Students will be provided with the basic resources, including a microcontroller, and other electronics components, to support lab explorations. Students will be provided a small budget for consumables where possible, and beyond that will be expected to cover their project costs individually.
Data Loss
Students are responsible for their own work. Work lost to due computer error, portable media error, or personal error is the responsibility of the student and will not be an excuse for late or missing work. At the end of the semester all students may be required to submit all work incl. source code, process documentation, etc. Do not discard original files of any assignment and the use of github or other source management solutions is recommended.
Attendance
You should be in every class for the start of class unless you have an accomodation or excused absense. It is a challenging semester and accomodations can be made. Check in if this is needed or helpful.
See the full attendance policy
Absences
If there’s a planned or unplanned absence for medical or personal reasons, let us know as early as possible. In all cases where you’ve missed a class, you’re responsible for understanding the course content and future deliverables. See the full absences policy
Recording and Attendance
In this classroom, meetings and class sessions may be audio/video recorded for educational use to support students with accommodations in this course. If recordings are made available after class, they are for your personal, educational use only. Recordings may not be downloaded, redistributed, shared or used beyond this class. Recordings of class sessions are covered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and must not be shared with anyone outside your course-section.
When and if recordings are made, this is not offered as an alternative to attendance. You are expected to be present during scheduled meeting times. Additionally no student may record any classroom activity without express written consent.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is expected at all time. Carnegie Mellon has a established as well-defined policy on this subject which can be found at: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html
In addition, students are required to uphold the Community Standards of CMU as summarized in the “Carnegie Mellon Code” and expanded up in the student handbook The Word.
It is the responsibility of the student to verse themselves with these policies. This, for example, requires the proper acknowledgement of any work used in course deliverables by appropriately citing sources. You should familiarize yourself with CMU’s policy for academic integrity, and carefully read the section on Plagiarism (even if you think you fully understand what it means).
All necessary and appropriate sanctions will be issued to all parties involved with plagiarizing any and all course work. Plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty that is in violation with these policies will not be tolerated, will result in failure of the course and, potentially, further disciplinary action.
Academic Accommodations
If you have a disability and have an accommodations letter from the Disability Resources office, I encourage you to discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as appropriate. If you suspect that you may have a disability and would benefit from accommodations but are not yet registered with the Office of Disability Resources, I encourage you to contact them at access@andrew.cmu.edu.
If you are unwell and cannot attend class for a medical reason, accommodations for course deliverables and required attendance can be provided. In this circumstance, contact me as soon as possible and set up a time to meet (once you are well enough to do so) to discuss. It is recommended that you provide documentation (e.g. a note from a doctor) or if the medical issue will be ongoing, to work with the office of Disability Resources.
Questions?
If you have questions about this or your coursework, please let me know.