Course Policies: CS 112: Introduction to Data Structures at Calvin University

CS 112 uses the C++ programming language to introduce students to the elementary data structures (vectors, lists, stacks, queues, binary search trees, ...), recursion, big-oh notation, and other intermediate-level programming topics.

Instructor: Professor Victor Norman

Grading: Your grade in this course will be based on:

Course Organization: The course is organized around these components:
  1. The lectures that will introduce data structures topics at the conceptual level;
  2. The labs in which students will (in pairs) practice using and building data structures; and
  3. The projects in which students will (individually) practice using and building data structures.
Each week's lectures, labs and projects will cover the same concepts, but will do so in different ways.

The first 4 weeks will be dedicated to learning C++. After that, we will begin studying data structures.

Late Work Policy: Each exercise and project will have a Due date associated with it. This is the date by which you should submit your work in order to avoid falling behind in the course.

Each day that your submission is late, you will be assessed a penalty of 10%.

No work will be accepted after the last day of classes.

An Incomplete (I) grade will be granted only in unusual circumstances, and only if those circumstances have been verified by the Student Life Office. Procrastination does not qualify as an unusual circumstance.

Honesty. Laboratory exercises are to be done in pairs, using pair programming.

Unless specified otherwise, exams, homework assignments, and projects are to be done individually, and must consist of your own original work. Submitting another student's work as your own (even with their knowledge) is academic fraud; and any detected duplication of work will be dealt with in accordance with Calvin's policies on Academic Honesty. Likewise, giving another person your work to submit as their own constitutes academic fraud and may result in a failing grade (F) for both parties.

In general, you should expect to spend at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class, in finishing up your labs, completing lab reports, projects, and/or other assignments.

If you do not keep abreast of the material, you will quickly find yourself lost and struggling. If you are in the habit of preparing for tests solely by "cramming" the night before, make every effort to break this habit, as this course simply contains too much material for you to do well.

Classroom Policy:

I have 4 words for you. 4 words you aren't going to like:

No phones, no laptops.


This is a difficult class, and you don't need to be distracted by goofing around on your phone or laptop. And, I don't want you to distract others.

Attendance: I really recommend you come to class every time we meet. Please. I want you to succeed in this class, and that is one easy step in the right direction. Also, lab attendance is required!

Disabilities: Calvin University has a continuing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Like so many things this fall, the need for accommodations and the process for arranging them may be altered by the COVID-19 changes we are experiencing and the safety protocols currently in place. Students with disabilities who may need some accommodation in order to fully participate in this class are urged to contact Disability Services in the Center for Student Success, as soon as possible, to explore what arrangements need to be made to assure access: disabilityservices@calvin.edu.

Also, please note that I am half deaf (at least). I am completely deaf on my left side. this results in my not being able to hear students that speak quietly, and not being able to tell which direction sounds are coming from. Please speak loudly! Thanks.

This page maintained by Victor Norman.