CS/Math 473: Exam Policies

• Exam logistics
• DRES accommodations
• Conflict and makeup exams
• Other stuff

Exam Logistics

• This class has two 2-hour midterms and a 3-hour final exam. Exact times for the exams will be announced on the course web page well in advance. On the Thursday before each midterm, we will hold optional review sessions instead of the regular lectures.
• Barring another outbreak, all exams will be held in person.
• At each exam, we will distribute a handout containing only the exam questions, wait a few minutes to allow everyone to read all the questions (and ask for clarification), and then distribute answer booklets. The answer booklets will contain extra pages for overflow or scratch work. Additional scratch paper will also be provided on request.
• The answer booklet will be printed single-sided, with (at least) one page for each exam question. If you run out of space for a solution, you are welcome to use the backs of pages or the overflow pages, but please tell us where to look!!
• We will collect all paper used during the exam—question handouts, answer booklets, cheat sheets, and scratch paper.
• Cheat sheets:
  • For each midterm, you may bring one double-sided 8½"×11" sheet of paper with anything you like written on both sides. (Two single-sided sheets are okay.)
  • For the final exam, you may bring two double-sided 8½"×11" sheets of paper with anything you like written on both sides. (Four single-sided sheets are okay.)
  • You must write your own cheat sheets by hand on paper, unless you have a documented writing diability. No printing or photocopying.
• Academic Integrity:
  • Except for cheat sheets, all exams are closed-everything. In particular: No medically unnecessarily electronic devices are allowed in exams, including smart watches and headphones/earbuds.
  • All exams are strictly confidential for at least 24 hours, or until all conflict exams have been taken. Do not discuss your exam with anyone, either in person or online. Once conflict exams are finished, we will post exam handouts and solutions on the course website.

DRES accommodations

• Students requiring extra time or other exam accommodations should first discuss their needs with DRES, and then provide one of the instructors with a copy of the DRES accommodation letter as close to the start of the semester as possible, but at least one week before accomodations are actually required.
• Students who have accommodations for additional exam time are welcome to take their exams at the DRES Testing accommodation Center. We strongly recommend scheudling your exam at TAC at least one week in advance. If you are not taking your exams at TAC, and you have an accommodation for additional time on exams, we must ask you to take the conflict exams.
• If you are concerned that a disability-related condition may be impacting your academic progress, academic screening appointments are available that can help identify a previously undiagnosed disability. You can request an academic screening appointment by following the "Request an Academic Screening" link at the bottom of the DRES Web site.

Conflict/Makeup Exams

• Conflict midterms: For each midterm, we will schedule a conflict exam on the following day to accomodate students who cannot attend the regular exam for any of the reasons listed in the student code:
  • Another simultaneous exam scheduled earlier
  • A regularly scheduled class
  • A regularly scheduled performance or rehearsal
  • Sickness, regular employment, or other extenuating circumstances
  • Religious observances
  “Extenuating circumstances” do not include out-of-state job interviews. (Do not believe recruiters who tell you rescheduling is impossible; they work on commission.) Students who have registered with DRES for exam accommodations are also welcome to take the conflict midterms.
• We may forgive midterms under extreme circumstances, such as documented illness or injury, that prevent taking both the regular exam and the conflict exam. We will compute your exam average as though the forgiven exam does not exist. Please ask Jeff for details.
• Conflict final: We will also schedule a conflict final exam to accomodate students who cannot attend the regular final exam for any of the reasons outlined in the student code:
  • Another final exam at the same time
  • Three consecutive final exams in 24 hours
  • National or state professional examinations
  • Sickness, regular employment, or other extenuating circumstances
  • Religious observances
  “Extenuating circumstances” do not include already-purchased plane tickets; the date of the final exam was announced before the start of the semester. Students who have registered with DRES for exam accommodations are also welcome to take the conflict final.
• Missing the final exam: Undergraduates who cannot take either the regular final exam or the conflict final exam because of serious extenuating circumstances, such as illness or injury, should request an Incomplete from their college (Engineering or LAS). Any undergraduate who does not take the final exam and who does not have an Incomplete will be given a grade of ABS (“absent from final”).

  Any graduate student who does not take the final exam will be given a grade of Incomplete.

  If necessary, we will offer a makeup exam early next semester for students who miss the final exam, either with or without an Incomplete. Please ask Jeff for details.

Other Policies

• Deadly Sins will be penalized, just as they are for homework. Write general solutions, not just examples. Algorithms require English specifications, especially for dynamic programming. Don't use weak induction. Don't cheat.