COMPUTER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall/Spring 2008 - 2009

GOALS: The student in Computer Systems Research will:

  1. Pursue a research project in a computer science or computational science concentration area. Example areas are:

  2. Complete a research portfolio:

  • Students are expected to comply with TJ's Network Guidelines agreement

    DESCRIPTION: With the extensive research software resources available in the Computer Systems Lab, each student will have an opportunity to explore both theoretical and applied computer science topics.

    Students are encouraged to:

    One credit in Technology Research (such as this course in Computer Systems Research) is required for graduation from TJHSST.

    CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: In order to maintain an environment conducive to learning, all students need to be courteous, to participate in class discussions, and to ask questions to clarify concepts. The computer labs are not playgrounds. Any student who uses unauthorized software, enters restricted directories, or in any way causes a problem with the computers will be referred to the administration. See Network Users for greater details of the rules regarding computer use.

    PLAGIARISM and INTEGRITY: Honesty and academic integrity are important values of the TJ community. Ideally, no person should feel the need to take ethical shortcuts. This class encourages collaboration and sharing, which means talking together about software programming, planning, and testing concerns. Plagiarism, copying another person's work and presenting it as your own, is an offense with consequences. Note that the inability to explaing one's code, processes, and algorithms is a strong indicator of plagiarism. The teacher is required to report plagiarism to the student's counselor and grade level administrator.

    GRADING: The student's grade is determined quarterly by performance on their research project portfolio.

    Each student must maintain adequate records to support their research efforts. These records include specifics for iterative planning, designing, coding, and testing of your project's components.

    Grades will be computed on a percentage basis, and the resulting percentage will yield the letter grade for the term.

    ABSENCE/MAKE-UP Work Policy: Work missed due to an absence must be made up. You will receive full credit when making up work due to an excused absence; make-ups due to an unexcused absence will receive no credit but you are responsible for the material on assessments (quizzes and tests). Make-up work must be completed within five school days of your return to class. You may complete activities such as labs before school, during lunch, or during 8th period, or (by arrangement) after school. Failure to make-up work will result in a zero for the assignment. It is your responsibility to initiate the process and complete the work. In special cases (e.g., hospitalization, a trip representing the school in a symposium or competition, etc.) arrangements will be made that are fair to both you and the discipline being taught.

    FINAL CREDIT: If your final portfolio in 4th quarter lacks any necessary components, you risk receiving no credit for the entire year.

    The grading scale is that approved by Fairfax County Public Schools:

    A 94% - 100%
    B+ 90% - 93%
    B 84% - 89%
    C+ 80% - 83%
    C 74% - 79%
    D+ 70% - 73%
    D 64% - 69%
    F BELOW 64%

    ATTENDANCE: In accordance with TJ's policy, 3 unexecused absences results in an F for the quarter. 3 unexcused tardies to class = 1 unexcused absence.

    Contact Information:
    Email: rdlatimer@fcps.edu, rdlatimer@tjhsst.edu
    Blackboard: http://fcps.blackboard.com
    The Blackboard assignment links are also on http://www.tjhsst.edu/~rlatimer