Course Policies
These course policies define the expectations, responsibilities, and professional standards for CIS 4398 & CIS 4396. They are designed to mirror industry norms and to support effective collaboration in a team-based capstone environment.
These policies apply in addition to Temple University policies listed on the next page.
Assignments
You are expected to turn in your project documents online to the Canvas Web site on time. Late Assignments are subject to reduced points or a 0 grade. Project Documents must be published using Docusaurus and live on GitHub Pages. Late and hand-written submission will not be accepted or graded. If you submit multiple versions of the document online before the deadline, only the latest version will be graded. This does not apply to the revision of documentation.
You may discuss project assignments with your friends, but everyone must write their own solutions. Additionally, you must include the names of any collaborators on the front page of the assignment or in the comments in the code, e.g. "I discussed this with Peter and Sally."
Open Source
Using open source code is allowed and encouraged, but you are responsible for adhering to the open source license agreement if your project implementation includes any open source software code.
Sharing your code, design specifications, and other documents in the capstone project with other students is permitted and encouraged. If you receive help from other students concerning the solution of your project implementation, it is appropriate to acknowledge that help in your design documents or in your source code as comments, e.g. "I discussed this with Peter and Sally." If you copy someone else's code, you must cite the source.
AI Usage
You may use generative large language models such as ChatGPT in the process of coding your projects. Keep in mind the consequences of using such tools as they have a large impact on your projects quality. Also keep in mind that a large language model is not going to be efficient to develop an entire system. There is no free lunch. These tools are better suited as an aid to your learning.
You may not use AI such as ChatGPT to write your documentation for you. You may use it as an aid to your writing, but use of such technology will be considered academic dishonesty.
Attendance
Consistent participation is required to support team progress, stakeholder engagement, and in-class collaboration. Attendance is mandatory for this course. The motivation for this policy is primarily that this course centers on a group project, and not showing up to class disrupts your team and makes it harder for the group to succeed. Each student is allowed a maximum of 3 absences throughout the semester. Beyond this limit, your grade may be negatively affected. Attendance is crucial for success, as it ensures active participation in team projects and access to stakeholder feedback. In this syllabus configuration, attendance refers to all synchronous online course meetings. For online classes, participation means being able to unmute your microphone during meetings.
Tell your manager that you can't work during this class as it is highly interactive and requires your full attention, particularly when we begin the project. I expect that since you registered for this course, you can fully participate. If you are unable to interact, give presentations, or communicate reliably with your teammates during required course meetings, this course may not be a good fit at this time.
Classroom Etiquette
It is expected that each student attends every class on time for the full duration of each class and behaves, in the same professional manner, as if you are in a regular classroom. This refers in particular to your location and attire. It is not appropriate to eat a large meal, be in the midst of commuting or driving a motorized vehicle, drink alcohol, smoke, or get up frequently during a class meeting. For online meetings, students should join from a distraction-limited environment and be ready to participate when called upon.
These policies are subject to adjustment with notice as required by project needs or institutional guidance.