• Who is my professor? There are two professors for CS477 this semester:
  • Dr. Liz White is a tenured professor in Computer Science whose research interests lie in the area of software engineering for large-scale distributed software systems.
  • Dr. Raven Russell, has a PhD in Computer Science (specifically in large scale information-centric networks in delay- and disruption-tolerant environments) and also worked in industry for about a decade.
• What is their contact information? All CS faculty have contact information on the Faculty Page of the CS Website
• How should I contact the professors (and TAs)? See section below on "Course Material and Communication" below.

• What book will we use? We don't have an official textbook, but you're welcome to get yourself something if you think you'd find it helpful! Remember that Android development moves fast, so you'll want something written recently.
• Will there be other reading material? Yes! Lots of documentation here and more available on Canvas. Start browsing the documentation today!
• I have difficulty learning from written material, what should I do? If you find you have difficulty reading the textbook for some reason, please come talk to someone! There are likely strategies that can make it easier (and even more enjoyable). Learning from written material is an important skill for all engineers, scientists, and programmers.

• What type of computer do I need? You will need a laptop (not a chromebook!) with some modern operating system capable of running a Android Studio. This software and the emulator you may want to use are very space and computation intensive, so the laptop needs to be able to handle that.
• Do I need an Android device? Android Studio has emulators so it is not required that you have an Android device that you can run apps on. However, you will find that having a real device to use is not only a big help when doing app development, but also make the work a lot more fun.
• Can I buy an inexpensive Android device? You can buy an inexpensive phone or tablet with Android on it, and it doesn't have to be very expensive or new. API 7.0 tablets are fairly inexpensive, especially if you get an off-brand (i.e. not Samsung, Google, Motorola, ...).
• How do I set everything up? The first class and lab is designed to get you up and running but you can start that process by downloading Android studio. The download link for Android Studio is here and you can find instructions here. Information on how to set an Android device is here.

• Where will we meet? In person in our assigned room! (See PatriotWeb).
• How is the lecture structured? Each week there will be a lecture for the first half of the class. The second half of the class is for lab time. While it is not required to stay for the second half, there are a few really good reasons why you should:
  • Immediate help if you get stuck
  • You are more likely to complete the assignment on time if you just do it right after the lab has been described to you. If you have struggled with time management in classes in the past, this will help you.
  • Meeting/networking with classmates.
• Can I join a different section than I am registered for? This is strongly discouraged for this class. Sometimes resources available to one section are also available to another section (such as lecture slides, videos, etc.). However, there are no guarentees in any semeseter that this will be the case, and you are always required by the university to attend your registered section for exams and other graded work.

• What classes do I need to have taken? The formal prerequisites of this class are a C or better in: CS310 and CS367. However, this class has a heavier programming load than most 4xx classes and STRONG programming skills are needed. Completion of one or more CS senior course strongly recommended.

• What will we cover? This course will teach fundamental programming principles with a focus on the mobile environment and the Android Platform. The course emphasizes practical application of numerous academic concepts. This course is intended to be a project-based course. The introductory weeks focus on essentials needed to work on these projects. Students will complete multiple small labs and one final course project. Each student will design and implement an application for the final project. Course projects will be written in Java for the Android platform using the Android SDK.
  
  Designing applications for a mobile device present unique challenges. User interface, mobile-specific technologies, and the importance of performance require special consideration. The Android SDK has its own interesting aspects to learn: the multi-touch model, accelerometer, important APIs will receive attention. Students will learn important development concepts applicable to any environment as well as Android specific APIs.
• What will I be able to do after taking this class? The formal course outcomes are as follows:
  Upon completion of this course, students should:
  • Have a firm grasp of event-based computing models.
  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to use different types of components used in mobile platforms.
  • Be able to use threading efficiently and correctly in mobile apps.
  • Be able to appropriately use different types of data management for mobile devices.
  • Be able to appropriately use different types of networking options for mobile devices.
  • Have a clear understanding of the creation and use of simple user interfaces.
  • Be able to use tools to create apps for a mobile platform.
  • Be able to create simple graphics for mobile devices.
  • Have an understanding of the importance, role and use of security on mobile devices.

• Where can I find the course material? The majority of course information and material will be available on Canvas and Piazza (available after the first day of class). This includes assignments, lecture slides, office hour information, etc. You will need to read Piazza for homework clarifications and updates.
• Why are there TWO places to look? We have found that the main reason people email course staff is for project help and clarifications. Piazza works much better than email when there is a team of people who can answer questions. It essentially creates a "global inbox" where everyone, professors, TAs, and other students, can offer help in the order in which questions are received. [See "Getting Help on Homework" for more information on what can/can't be posted on Piazza.] Piazza also allows us to easily create/edit/update a list of the common questions we are receiving. Unfortunately, Canvas discussion boards do not work in the same way and are not an equivalent replacement.
• Where will you put announcements? Some announcements and reminders will be posted on Piazza, especially reminders/clarifications about projects/labs. Other announcements (not related to projects/labs) will generally be through Canvas.
• Do I have to read Piazza? Since we're putting project clarifications and updates on Piazza, the instructor posts on Piazza are required reading for all projects/labs. Otherwise, no, you don't need to participate in any student-to-student discussions on there if you don't want to!
• Where/when can I ask questions? For synchonous classes, most questions should be answerable in, before, or after class. For all classes, Piazza is available 24-7 for asynchronous help. GTAs and professors will have some additional office hours for questions and course help as well.
• Should/can I email professors? Definitely email professors for any personal issues such as medical situations, disability accommodations, etc. Due to the size of the class, please do not e-mail professors (or any course staff) about homework problems; please use office hours and Piazza for that!
• Is there a week-by-week schedule? Yes, this is on Canvas in the Week 0 module.

• What things will be graded? You will be doing three main things for grades: doing labs, doing projects, and taking quizzes.
• How much is each task worth?
  The following is a breakdown of the class tasks by topic:
  
  

  Category	Count & Drop-Policy	Percent
  Labs (~1 per week)	10+ (weighted evenly)	25%
  Projects	3 (weighted evenly)	50%
  Quizzes	"A Few" (online)	25%

  
  
• How do semester grades equate to letter grades? We will be using the +/- system in the following way:
  • A (>= 92%) A– (>= 90%)
  • B+ (>= 88%) B (>= 82%) B– (>= 80%)
  • C+ (>= 78%) C (>= 72%) C– (>= 70%)
  • D (>= 60%)
  • F (< 60%)
  • Note: A+ is given for A students with exceptional performance compared with the rest of the class, and is not based on a specific percentage.
• Is this class "curved"? Generally speaking, you should never ask anyone for "a curve". A real curve pits students against each other and your grade might go down if there is someone very talented in your class. At its heart, a curve is a promise to fail some percentage of the students in the class, and I'd prefer everyone be able to pass by doing the work, even if everyone else is also doing the work.
• Ok... then do you curve up? If we believe there is something "off" about the grades on some particular assignment (based on our knowledge of the class in general, historical information, etc.), We will make appropriate adjustments. Please understand that all adjustments must be consistent with the grading shown above and fair for all students.
• Can I do additional work or redo assignments at the end of the semester? There will be no make-up assignments or unannounced extra-credit opportunities at the end of the semester; your grade should be a measure of your semester-long progress.

General Lab and Project Questions:

• What types of homework will there be? You will have a number of labs and projects during the semester. See schedule (on Canvas) for exactly when. These programming assignments will be a primary focus of your grade.
• Where will I submit homework? Homework will be submitted to GradeScope.
• Will you "drop" one or more homework assignments? No. This is a 4xx class. No project can be dropped for any reason (except emergencies, see questions below in "Issues and Potential Problems").
• When can't I work in a group? Labs and the first two projects are individual effort. You may not show, discuss, or otherwise share any general or specific information about how you choose to solve them. See "Honor Code and Academic Standards" for more information. You may work in a group for the third project, but your group acts as a single individual if you choose to do that (no outside-group contributions).
• When can I work in a group? General requirements understanding, working through provided example code, studying, and helping each other with Android Studio issues are all good times for group work. Not sure? Just ask!
• What's the late policy for homework? Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 20% of the assignment's value per day (e.g. for a 10pt assignment 1 day late, a -2pt penalty would be applied). Penalties are calculated in whole days, not fractions of days, so one minute late is the same as one day late, one day and one minute late is the same as two days late, etc. Nothing will be graded that is more than three days late (the score will be a 0, no matter how much the assignment is worth).
• Are there any minimum requirements for programming assignments? After the first lab, submitted labs and projects that do not install or do not run on a grading phone count as a day late and must be resubmitted for credit. In other words, you cannot get any credit if you don’t eventually submit a running program. Additionally, assignments that do not follow the naming conventions outlined will be penalized.

Getting Help on Projects:

• How can I get help on a project? Project help is available in-person before/after class or in office hours, but the discussion board (Piazza) also gives a way to get asynchronous help. Don't spend hours banging your head against a wall, come get help!
• Can I get code help? Of course! But only from professors and TAs. While you can't share answers or code solutions on the discussion board, you can include code in private posts to the instructors. These are visible to all professors, GTAs, and UTAs, who are standing by to help (during normal human times :P). GTAs and profs are also available for office hours for more interactive help.
• Where and when are office hours? These will be posted on Canvas and Piazza.
• How busy are office hours? I don't want to "bother" anyone... Stop by and see! You are never "bothering" someone. Helping you is what office hours are for! That said, sometimes office hours can get crowded, especially on due dates, so do not rely on them for significant last minute help. Spending time with the project before asking for help is good, but again, don't spend hours banging your head against a wall, come get help!
• How can I get better at time management so I'm not doing everything at the last minute? Instructors can often help with this, but GMU Learning Services offers a lot of support options for time management improvement as well. Whatever you do, don't hide the problem, talk to someone about it!
• Can I get help from online tutorials and/or AI assistants? This class is more flexible in terms of using online resources than most other classes. There are good tutorials and other resources online, but they should be used as resources not replacement for your own work. Your labs and projects should be your own work and not copied from someone else or generated by an AI (even partly).
• Why can't I use AI? It's what professionals do! There are a few things we want you to think about: (1) professionals already know what they're doing, and (2) it's ok for the English major to pull out a calculator to work out tip, but it's not ok for a statistician to do that. You are trying to be someone who knows what they're doing, memorizing what buttons to hit on a tool to get an answer isn't the same thing. The best way to tell if you are "learning" from an AI or "depending" on an AI is the same as with any other resource: try closing the book/website/tool and write it yourself. Can't do it? You weren't learning, you were "depending".
• So if I can do it without AI, it's ok to use AI to generate my code? No, you still aren't allowed to copy code developed by others, even if those the other person's work has been synthesized through an AI system. That's still copying.

Issues and Potential Problems

• What if I submit the wrong files electronically? Just like turning in the wrong homework in-person, turning in the wrong homework electronically will result in a zero. Just because it's easy to make a mistake, doesn't mean you shouldn't double check your submission (in fact, it means the opposite!).
• What if I make a "stupid" mistake on my homework? It happens, but it also has consequences. To prepare you for the cautiousness you need when working in a professional environment, you will not be able to fix anything after submission, even if it is a simple mistake. That's what the time before submission is for. Make sure to dedicate specific time to looking over your work before submission.
• What if the submission system is down? In the rare situation that a website/tool/service is somehow unavailable or giving an error, you are still responsible for turning in on time. Just email your submission to your professor before the deadline and explain what happened.
• What if my computer crashes and I lose my work? To ensure professional practices in our senior student body, catastrophic computer failure will not be considered a reason for an extension. As this is a senior level CS course, you can practice the professionalism you'll need in the workplace by backing up your work.
• What type of backup should I use? You can use online services like OneDrive (free to students, see: https://its.gmu.edu/service/office-365-onedrive/), or something as simple as emailing things to yourself at the end of each day, whatever gets the job done! Android Studio integrates with git, which is great to use, but remember that remote repos on GitHub must be private. Public repositories of homework solutions are a violation of the CS honor code (you are uploading you work publicly to the internet for others to view).
• Can I "revert" to an earlier submission? You can submit your work an unlimited number of times to Gradescope, and only the last version will be graded. If your latest submission to GradeScope receives a 0, only then may you request we revert to an earlier version (i.e. you can't pick and choose submissions based on the outcome of grading).
• What if I submit the wrong files and have a "backup" on my computer? If you turn in the wrong files, the only way you might receive credit is by showing me a backup where the modified date on the files is outside of your control. Modified dates on personal computers and/or public computers are never accepted as proof of work. Backups which will always be considered are: prior submissions to Gradescope or emails to your Professor/GTA. Backups which might be accepted include: emails from your GMU email to yourself, uploading to certain backup services (such as GoogleDrive or a private GitHub repo), and uploads to the discussion forum.
• What if I want an extension on a homework? Extensions require exceptional circumstances (as judged by your professor) and must be arranged in advance. We don't give extensions on or after the due day unless you have a university-accepted emergency. Normal obligations such as family or friend events, vacations, or other classes are not exceptional circumstances (unless hospitals are involved!).
• What if I miss (or will miss) a homework deadline because of some sort of emergency? If you need an extension or miss a due date because of a university-accepted emergency (such as being taken to the hospital), and you can provide documentation of the emergency and your involvement, we will work something out that makes sense for the situation. We may elect to "exempt" a missed homework rather than give an extension under certain circumstances. In this case, other homework in the same category will gain more weight. Please note travel plans are not emergencies.
• When do I need to inform someone about the emergency? If it is possible to notify your professor before the missed deadline, you must do so. But if it is a sudden event (such as being taken to a hospital), just notify they within 24 hours of the "conclusion of the event" (e.g. when you get out of the hospital). Unfortunately, to ensure the class moves forward for everyone, failure to follow this policy will result in a zero.
• What if I miss a homework deadline for some other reason? Missing a homework due date for any non-university-accepted reason (such as not paying attention to when the due date is), will result in a zero. Self-documentation of illness is not sufficient support to excuse an absence.
• Can the TAs give me an extension? Nope. Just professors. TAs cannot approve late submissions or extensions.

• What types of quizzes will there be? There will be a few (online) quizzes during the semester. They will be open notes and you may use Android Studio.
• Can I work in a group on my quiz? No. All quizzes are considered individual effort.
• What's the late policy for quizzes? Same as late labs and projects. A penalty of 20%/day up to THREE days late, see section 3.2 for more details.
• What should I do if I have test anxiety? This depends on the severity of your anxiety. Instructors can often give you some advice on this, but there are three other resources you might want to be aware of. One is GMU Learning Services which offers a lot of support options for test taking skills and overcoming test anxiety. The second is talking to Counseling and Psychological Services if the anxiety is very severe. If you have a documented anxiety disorder, then the third option is the Office of Disability Services (see section 5.1). Whatever you do, don't hide the problem, talk to someone about it!

• Can I contest grades? Of course! No one is perfect. If you feel that points have been incorrectly deducted for any reason, just contact the grader for that item.
• Is there a deadline for contesting grades? To ensure that regrade-requests are manageable, contesting grades on submissions must be requested within one week of receiving the grade (on the system the grade is first released on). No grade changes will be considered subsequent to that deadline or subsequent to the last day of classes (whichever comes first). For recording errors (e.g. Canvas says 5/10, but the grading comments say I earned 8/10) there is no time limit.

• What are GMU's Academic Standards? GMU's Academic Standards Code describes the behaviors that are not allowed in an academic setting, such as unauthorized assistance, fabrication, and plagiarism. This policy is rigorously enforced. All students must abide by the GMU's Academic Standards.
• What is the CS Honor Code? The computer science department has a CS Honor Code that you are also subject to. The document helps you to understand how Academic Standards applies to CS, such as what constitutes "unauthorized assistance" in a CS setting, and it clarifies some scenarios that are unique to our sorts of assignments.
• What is the "Honor Court" (Academic Standards Committee)? If you are suspected of violating GMU's Academic Standards or the CS Honor Code, you will be referred to Academic Standards. They will present you with options, such as contesting the charge or admitting the violation. The purpose of the committee is to hear both sides in the case. This way it is not your professors who get to determine what occurred and professors can't unilaterally take action against you.
• Is the "Honor Court" a sentencing court? No. The Academic Standards Committee is there to ensure a fair hearing before punishments are given. The referral to the the Academic Standards is not a punishment in itself, it is a way of getting the situation clearly understood before any penalties are applied.
• What happens if I violate GMU's Academic Standards or the CS Honor Code? The CS Department takes these violations quite seriously. Most violations in CS classes are Level 2 violations, and have sanctions between "course failure" and expulsion. Suspected cheating must be be referred to Academic Standards, it cannot be handled by a professor alone.
• What happens if someone steals my work? It is your responsibility to lock your computer(s) with a password, to not post your work to websites like Pastebin that are publicly accessible, to guard your USB drives and computers, to not upload your files to someone else's computer, etc. You will be liable for any access gained to your work resulting from poor computer security practices.
• Can you give me an example of cheating? There are many examples in the links above, and the CS department has an Honor Code Examples Page, but if you are ever unsure of what would/wouldn't be cheating, just ask!
• Why can't I do ___? I hear that's what they do in industry. Why is that cheating? "If you want to play in a band, you need to know how to play your own instrument. School is like learning to play the instrument, industy is like being in the band. I worked for over a decade in industry, so I know what people do and don't do, come talk to me if you want a much longer discussion of this!" -- Dr. Russell
• People on the internet say CS professors will send me to the honor court for no reason, what should I do? First, if that were to happen, the Academic Standards would just dismiss the case. You can't refer someone without evidence. If you have someone telling you this, just ask to see the evidence and decide for yourself (they will have been given this as part of their referral). Second, professors don't get anything out of referring students, it's a process that takes hours to do (per student), and not something anyone would do for fun. Third, if you do know someone whose case was dismissed by Academic Standards, that doesn't mean they were referred "for no reason"; the purpose of the referral is to get all the evidence out in the open and determine what happened. So just being found "not in violation" does not mean there wasn't a reason to investigate the situation.

  And finally, don't trust people on the internet to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

• Can I give material on Piazza/Canvas/Gradescope/etc. to others? Please don't share any course material unless you've been authorized to do so (by your professor!). There are copyright issues (and privacy issues in some situations) that you might not be aware of. So please ask first!
• Can I post course materials to the internet? All course materials posted to Canvas or other course sites are private and much of it is copyrighted. Additionally, by federal law, any materials that identify specific students (via their name, voice, or image) must not be shared with anyone not enrolled in this class.
• Can I record the class or post recordings of the class? By federal law, any materials that identify specific students (via their name, voice, or image) must not be shared with anyone not enrolled in this class. Therefore, video recordings of in-person class meetings that include audio or visual information from other students is private and must not be shared. And also recordings of video conference meetings (e.g. Collaborate or Zoom) that include audio or visual information from other students must be viewed privately and not shared. If you need to record the class due to a documented medical condition, you will need to sign a waiver (please ask for this).

• What is your non-discrimination policy? GMU, the CS Department, and the CS Faculty are committed to providing an educational environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, or genetic information.
• What should I do if I am being discriminated against? If you feel there has been a violation of the University's policies on discrimination, please contact GMU's Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.
• What if I have a different gender identity, preferred name, or personal pronouns? If you wish, please share your name and/or gender pronouns with us and we will attempt use them to address you in class and via email. In the case of a preferred name, please just try to include your GNumber in communications so that we can easily associate you with your student record.
• How can I refer to my professor? You can address any instructor as "Prof. [LAST NAME]" in email and verbally if you aren't sure of their personal preferences. "Dr. [LAST NAME]" also works for professors with PhDs.

• I need to talk to someone. Who should I talk to? All faculty members are designated "Responsible Employees", and are required to report all disclosures of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator per university policy 1412. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact the Student Support and Advocacy Center or Counseling and Psychological Services. You may also seek assistance from Mason’s Title IX Coordinator directly.

• I got injured and it's impacting my ability to do class tasks and/or homework. What should I do? The Office of Disability Services also handles services for many temporary disabilities (for example, if you break your arm, they can arrange note taking services). Please contact them if you discover any sudden impairment that affects your ability to function in class and/or on your projects. They have a quick and easy registration process. All you need is documentation for your condition.
• I have an undocumented disability, or other condition that impacts my learning. What should I do? This depends a lot on the nature of your condition, but generally it's best to talk to someone about what's happening. Often instructors can't offer support on an ad-hoc basis, but they can often help you determine if the situation might be helped by some coaching (e.g. minor test anxiety), counseling (e.g. major anxiety), or something you can get temporary support for from the Office of Disability Services (e.g. a broken arm).
• I have a documented physical or learning disability. What should I do? If you have not yet registered with the Office of Disability Services, you should. This office offers accommodations (such as extended time on projects and/or exams, quite testing environments, lecture recording waivers, etc.) to assist with everything from broken arms to chronic/acute depression and anxiety. We'd highly recommend talking to them if you think any of their services might help. Every student we know who works with them speaks highly of them, and they have a quick and easy registration process. All you need is documentation for your condition. Even if you don't know whether you'll need to use the accommodations, it's best get your condition documented with the university as accommodations are not retroactive.
• I am registered with the Office of Disability Services, but I'm not sure if I want to use the accommodations. What should I do? For all your classes (not just this one), you should still speak with your the professor to discuss your approved accommodations. Even if you don't know whether you plan on using the accommodations, once an professor knows you have them, you can easily begin using them if the need arises. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared, since accommodations are not retroactive.

• Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) - offers one-on-one consultations and resources in the areas of interpersonal violence, personal wellness, and alcohol/drug abuse
• Counseling and Support Services (CAPS) - offers individual and/or group counseling, workshops and community education programs
• The Office of Disability Services - handles short and long term disability accommodations.
• Learning Services - offers a lot of support options for things like time management, test taking skills, college reading skills, etc.
• The Writing Center - offers support for writing improvement, including specific support for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Open Computer Labs - free-to-use computers on campus
• Software and IT Services for Students - everything from video recording software (such as Kaltura), to cloud storage (such as OneDrive), to development software (such as jGrasp, Notepad++, PuTTy, Python, etc.).