Guidelines and Procedures – Mesa Community College – Marquez
Instructor Bio: Juan Marquez, Ed.D.    ( juan.marquez@mesacc.edu )
I've been teaching full-time at MCC since 1999. I've taught and/or currently teach CIS105, BPC110, CIS159 (VB), CIS162AB (C++), CIS162AD (C#), CIS163AA (Java), CIS262AB (C++ II), and CIS262AD (C# II). My highest educational degree is a doctorate in Higher Education from Arizona State University. For additional details, please see My Bio.

Student Introductions:
One of the first assignments in the course are the student self-introductions. I'm looking forward to getting to know each one of you and I appreciate the opportunity work with you throughout the course.

Pass/Fail Option:
Students that wish to earn a Pass/Fail (P/Z) grade in this course instead of a standard grade must inform me of this right away. We must file a Letter-Grade Contract form by the end of the second week of classes.

Communication:
Below is a list of ways that students may communicate with me. The best way is by email.

• Email – include a meaningful subject line and your full name, course, and section number in the body. I will try to respond back within 24 hours of receiving the message, or by the following working business day if received over the weekend or holiday.
  
  
• Phone / Voice message (480-461-7294)
• Office Hours
• Email me to schedule an appointment

Student Contact Information:
There are times when the instructor, department, or college may need to contact you by personal email, phone, or U.S. Mail. Please verify and update your contact information in the Student Information System using the online records site: my.maricopa.edu. For assistance on using my.maricopa.edu, look for the help button posted on the site.

"Attendance":

• Attendance is required.
• Students must complete the Cousre Info Quiz in Canvas by the due posted on the Course Schedule to confirm their enrollment in the course. Students that do not complete the quiz by the due date risk being withdrawn from the course.
• Students who have missed 3 or more assignments will be withdrawn from the course.
• If you want to be certain you are withdrawn from a course, you should withdraw yourself through my.maricopa.edu. Otherwise, you run the risk of receiving an "F," rather than a "W." See the current college catalog for more information.
• I will not carry students on the roster that are behind to meet financial aid or other requirements.
• I will not change a grade to an "F" if the student was withdrawn for not meeting the course requirements. Students must fully participate in the courses they are enrolled in to earn a grade.

Netiquette:
Netiquette refers to the rules of behavior while on the Internet. When interacting within the online course environment, please follow these guidelines. ( www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netiquette )

• Adhere to the same behavioral standards as you would in a face-to-face classroom and as is specified in the student handbook.
• Students should be professional at all times. Treat your instructor and classmates with respect and professional courtesy.
• Use correct spelling and grammar in all electronic communication. Avoid the use of abbreviations and use spell check within the application to check the spelling of your communications.
• When referring to an outside source, provide a citation.
• Respect everyone's time and contribute thoughtful comments and ideas to the discussions and post your discussion board entries before the due date.
• Disagreement within the classroom does not equal disrespect. Students are encouraged to have different points of view, opinions, and values. However, it is required that students monitor their language in all communication. Racist, sexist, or other inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Consult the student handbook for college policies regarding these types of behavior.

Canvas:

• MCC uses Canvas as its learning management system (LMS).
• Canvas will be used to submit assignments, facilitate discussions, monitor grades, and take exams over the Internet.
• When a MyMCC account is created, a Canvas account is also created. Both use the same username and password.
• Important: Pop-up and Ad blockers will need to be disabled in order to use Canvas. Canvas opens separate windows for various functions (quizzes, discussions, etc.), and pop-up blockers prevent these functions from working correctly.
• Some functions also require Javascript, so make sure that Javascript is NOT disabled.
• If you experience any other technical problems with Canvas or any part of the course, be sure to inform your instructor right away.
• If a technical problem on the MCC servers prevent you from completing or submitting an assignment on time, an extension may be granted.
• Students must retain copies of all assignments just in case electronic data is loss and MCC is not able to be restored from backups.

Homework:

• Homework assignments will be submitted electronically through Canvas. If for some reason we are not able to use Canvas as planned, alternative assignment submission procedures will be announced.
• Assignments are due before midnight of the due date.
  • A penalty of 5% will be assessed for each late assignment.
  • Assignments over 3 days late will be assessed a 10% penalty.
  • The number of points subtracted will be rounded up to the next whole number.
  • Assignments over 1 week late will not be accepted.
  • CIS262AB Students: Due dates and late penalties do not apply because it is a self-paced course.
• Again, students who have missed 3 or more assignments will be withdrawn from the course.
• The last day eligible late assignments will be accepted is Tuesday of Finals Week.
• Since a significant portion of the total points possible come from homework, it is important that homework be completed and turned in on time. In addition, the homework will help you prepare for the exams. If a situation arises and you need additional time to complete the assignments, be sure to see me to get an extension on the homework due dates. Depending on the situation, a late penalty may still be assessed.
• I will usually begin grading homework the morning after the due date and it is usually completed within 24 hours. Homework submitted early may be graded early as time allows.
• Grades for the homework will be recorded in the electronic grade book. Comments regarding the grade will be posted with the the assignment and/or emailed to the student depending on the complexity of the feedback.
• You should save all graded homework until the end of the term just in case there is a discrepancy between what you have turned in and what is recorded in the grade book. This is also a good reason to save all of your work on your storage device.
• Computer and programming courses require lab time. Lab time will vary by assignment and will mostly depend on how prepared you are when you go to the lab. On average schedule at least 5 hours per week of lab time. Sometime it may take 1 hour of lab time, an sometimes it may take 10 hours.
• Programming students, all work generated using a computer must have your name included in the documents, including source code and output generated by your program.

Exams:

• All of the exams will be completed online in Canvas.
• The exams consist of True/False, Multiple Choice, and Short Answer questions. When you open an exam by clicking on it, the timer begins. You must complete the exam at that time, because the timer will continue to run even if you exit the browser. In other words, no previewing of exams.
• Exams may test you over anything covered in the textbook, lectures, handouts, and homework assignments.
• Exams will be a combination of concepts and terminology, and possibly include the use of the computer to solve some computer exercises.
• Students will be allowed to use the textbook, handouts, lecture notes, study guides, and homework assignments on the exams, but since the exams are timed students should invest the time to prepare.
• Exam due dates are on the course schedule. Make sure you complete the exam by the due date or you will get a zero for the exam.
  CIS262AB Students: Due dates do not apply because it is a self-paced course.
• There will not be any make-up exams, unless you have an excused absence.
• If you have an excused absence, you must make-up the exam within two weeks of the missed exam date. We must schedule a time convenient to both of us for the make-up.
• At this time, students will NOT have to go to campus to have exams administered by a proctor.

Policies:

• Academic Honesty: Students may work in small teams during class at various times throughout the semester at the beginning of most large projects. In addition, students are encourage to work with each other to develop solutions to the various assignments. However, every student must develop their own documents and programs, and students should not share soft or hard copies of their work with other students. If very similar assignments are turned in by two or more students, I reserve the right to question who's original work was turned in. In some cases I may ask for the students' storage devices for verification of the softcopy. The first offense may result in a written warning, with subsequent offenses leading to withdrawal from the course for all students involved. If you find yourself in such a situation, and you are not sure how to handle it, please feel free to see me. An instructor may remove a student from class meetings for disciplinary reasons resulting from academic dishonesty or disrupted behavior (MCC Catalog, 2000).
• Copyright infringement is expressly prohibited by the US Copyright Act. Anyone who infringes another's copyright in a creative work is subject to liability, and could be required to pay large sums in damages. Violations of this law may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion for students.

  Copyright Policy: www.dist.maricopa.edu/legal/ip/

• The General Standards Governing Use of Maricopa County Community College District Computing Resources Handbook with regards to use of Maricopa's computing resources specifically prohibits: "Transmitting, storing, or receiving data, or otherwise using computing resources in a manner that would constitute a violation of state or federal law, including (but not limited to) obscenity, defamation, threats, harassment, and theft." Violation of any provision of the Standards, which are detailed in the Handbook, could result in immediate termination of a user's access to Maricopa's computing resources, as well as appropriate disciplinary action.

  Computing Resources Standards: www.dist.maricopa.edu/legal/it/

• The policy of the Maricopa Community Colleges is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of unwelcome sexual harassment as defined and otherwise prohibited by local, state and federal law. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion for students.

  Sexual Harassment Policy: www.dist.maricopa.edu/legal/harassment/

• Only persons who are registered for a class may attend that class.
  Children younger than 18 may not attend any class or enter labs unless they are officially registered for the class.
• Food and beverages are NOT permitted in the classrooms and computer labs.

ADA Compliance:

• Attempts have been taken to make the online course documents ADA compliance using the institution's guidelines www.mesacc.edu/~brazda/ada.html and Standard 2.3.4: www.mesacc.edu/webservices/standards.html
  
  
• The learning management system (LMS) is Canvas. This platform was built to meet the universal accessibility requirements for online courses. More information visit: http://www.instructure.com/compare-canvas#accessibility
  
  
• The computer programming courses use Visual Studio. For information on the accessibility features of Visual Studio please visit: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y4b5z3y3(v=VS.100).aspx
  
  
• Information on the accessibility features of Microsoft Office can be found at: www.microsoft.com/enable/products/office2010/

Technical Support:

• Contact your instructor with technical issues relating to course assignments, such as not understanding the requirements or not being able to access the assigned documents.
• Your instructor may also be able to assist you with simple technical issues relating to the required software, Microsoft Visual Studio. For complex issues, students will be referred to Microsoft.com
• Contact MCC Help Center (480-461-7217) with technical issues relating to email or Canvas. Their website lists the hours of operation. www.mesacc.edu/helpcenter/
• Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) and/or your "network administrator" for technical issues relating to connecting your home or work computer to the Internet.

Educational Support Services:

• Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students. Numerous college support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals. List of services: www.mesacc.edu/contacts/students.html

• MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits. Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support. Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS. Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional. www.mesacc.edu/students/ears
• Many students find that college coursework provides new academic challenges. Students who wish to deepen their understanding of course concepts, extend their skills, and improve their performance in this course are encouraged to use the free tutoring and other support services in the Learning Enhancement Center on the first floor of the Elsner Library and High Technology Complex. Tutors are there to help students with assignments in almost all subject-area courses. If you have any questions about tutoring, you are welcome to call the Learning Enhancement Center at (480) 461-7678. www.mesacc.edu/library/LE/
• Writing coaches are available in the Writing Center for any writing assignments. For more information visit their website: www.mesacc.edu/dept/d13/eng/writing_center.html
• Veteran's Support Services offers enrollment, tutoring, counseling and support services to all active duty, reserve and discharged military students. For more information visit their website: www.mesacc.edu/students/veterans
• I am willing to make reasonable accommodations for limitations due to any special needs from students including learning disabilities. Please contact me to discuss any special needs that you may have, or call/visit Disability Resources and Services (480) 461-7447. www.mesacc.edu/students/disability/
• Computer Lab Instructors are available in the Multiuse Lab on the Dobson campus during the Fall and Spring semesters. Lab instructors are NOT available during the Summer sessions. Lab instructors may be able to assist students with a variety of software applications including Visual Basic, Java, C++, and C#. Due to the number of students that need to be assisted, lab instructors cannot help students design and develop a programming assignment from scratch. Students should see their course instructor if they need this type of assistance.
  
  In addition to lab instructors, there are also lab assistants, lab technicians, and lab supervisors that are available to assist students with a variety of software applications. Some may even be able to assist with programming assignments.
  
  Lab Instructors' schedule posted at: www.mesacc.edu/dept/d07/lab_instructors.html
• Computer lab hours: Subject to change during the holidays.
  Only open Monday - Thursday during the summer.
  

  7:00am - 10:20pm Monday - Thursday
  7:00am - 8:20pm Friday
  7:00am - 4:20pm Saturday

  For a list of locations please visit: www.mesacc.edu/locations/complabs.html

Student Accommodations:
I am willing to make reasonable accommodations for limitations due to any special needs from students including learning disabilities. Please contact me to discuss any special needs that you may have, or call/visit Disability Resources and Services (480) 461-7447. www.mesacc.edu/students/disability/

Student Acknowledgment:
The student accepts responsibility for reading and understanding the information in the syllabus and college catalog . Any questions or concerns must be addressed within the first week of the course. College catalog: www.mesacc.edu/students/publications.html

Subject to change:
The guidelines and procedures for the course are subject to change as needed during the course. I will make electronic announcements of any changes.

---

Revised: 05/11/2012 - www.mesacc.edu/~marquez/1syllabus_general.html