Syllabus


Instructor Information

Dr. Hyrum D. Carroll

Computational Science PhD Program & Department of Computer Science
KOM 361-B
Middle Tennessee State University
(615) 898-2801

Office hours

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:00-10:00 AM, 12:30-1:30 PM and by appointment

Lecture

Monday, Wednesday & Fridays: 11:30 AM - 12:25 PM
KOM 162

Textbook

A Primer of Genome Science, Third Edition by Greg Gibson and Spencer V. Muse

Course Description

This is a projects-based course centered around computational biology problems sponspored by faculty members in the Biology Department. Additionally, computational biology challenges and algorithms will be covered in class and by assignments.

Prerequisite

CSCI 6020 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

Grading Scale

93-100 A
90-92  A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
67-69 D+
63-66 D
60-62 D-
< 60 F
Averages are rounded to the nearest integer. Missed exams will count as zero unless acceptable arrangements have been made BEFORE the exam. Students are expected to complete all projects and assignments. Any questions concerning a grade on a lab, exam, or homework must be presented within one week of when the item was returned. A grade of "I" will be given only in accordance with University policy. The last day to drop without a grade is January 30, 2013. The last day to drop with a grade of "W" is March 29, 2013.

Performance Evaluation

Final grades will be calculated based on the following percentages:
Homework & Quizzes 13%
Projects 87%


Homework

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of lecture of the date due unless specified otherwise. Late homework assignments will NOT be accepted. Unless specifed otherwise, turn in a hardcopy (printed) with the following in the upper righthand corner:

Labs

Lab assignments are due at 10:00 PM on the assigned due date. Late labs will be reduced by 10% for the first late day and 20% for additional late days (Saturday and Sunday count as 1 day). For example, a lab that would have received a 90% that is due on Wednesday at 10:00 PM but was turned in on Friday at 5:00 PM will get a score of 63% (= 90% * [100% - {10% + 1 * 20%}]).
No assignments can be turned in after the final.

Lecture

Attendance is required by the university. If you can not make a lecture, please inform me and get the relevant materials from a classmate.
Computers are permitted in lecture for note taking. Other activities such as web surfing, stock trading, and social networking are inappropriate.
Students that do not attend the first 2 lectures may be dropped from the course.
An audible cell phone ring during class will require the owner to bring cookies (or equivalent) to the next class.
Additionally, all views are to be heard and engaged respectively. As scholars, we are expected to analyze subject matter critically and express reasonable positions that are based on logic and fact rather than on emotion.

Website

The course website is at http://www.cs.mtsu.edu/~hcarroll/7840. Announcements and assignments will be posted there and/or emailed to your Pipeline email address. You are expected to monitor the website and your email account frequently (i.e., at least every other day).

Final Exam

Friday, May 3rd, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., KOM 162

Honor Code

It is expected that all work for this class (including exams, homework and labs) is your own. The university policy for academic misconduct will be followed. Academic misconduct includes the following behaviors:
Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one's own without proper acknowledgement.
Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
Facilitation: Helping or attempting to help another to violate a provision of the institution code of academic misconduct.
If you are found responsible for committing an act of academic misconduct, the penalty will range from a grade of zero for an individual assignment to a failing grade for the course. For more information, please refer to the following links:
Computer Science Department Policy on Academic Integrity
MTSU's Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy

Financial Aid Notice

Students receiving any form of financial aid should always consult the Financial Aid Office before dropping a course. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office (898-2830) or see http://www.mtsu.edu/financialaid.

Reporting of Unofficial Withdrawals

Federal regulations require that students who cease class attendance but do not officially withdraw from the University must be reported so that future financial aid will cease and/or the student will be required to return funds. Therefore, during the term I will be required to complete a roster indicating those students who have stopped attending class without officially withdrawing. Faculty members are not required to check attendance each day; however, you may use project submission deadlines, exams, quizzes, advising appointments, or other methods I choose may be used to determine unofficial withdraws.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.

Note: The syllabus is tentative and is subject to change.