This document is lengthy, but you are responsible for understanding and abiding by its contents.  It’s worth your time to review this carefully.

Format

Class sessions will be a mix of lecture sessions (at least weekly) and activity sessions, where you will work in small teams on class content (usually directly related to the coming homework).

Required Materials

• Book: This course includes required reading from “Digital Design and Computer Architecture: RISC-V Edition” by Sarah L. Harris and David Harris.  The book is available at the campus bookstore, Amazon, Elsevier, etc.   (A DRM-free ePub or PDF can be purchased from Elsevier).  
• Lab kit and lab fee: A kit of parts needed for the course will be provided and a lab fee will be billed to your student account. The cost of the kit is less than $100.
• Laptop: As with most computer science courses, a laptop will be required for activities and homework.
  • You may want to have 1GB free space on your drive (there will be some alternatives if that’s not possible)
• GitHub account: Create an account on https://github.com/ if you don’t already have one.
  • We strongly recommend you apply for the (free) education access to GitHub Pro: https://education.github.com/discount_requests/application (Note: The authentication process may require access to your location, which may require giving permission or disabling VPNs for the duration of the process)
• USB Data Cable: You’ll need a USB Cable between your computer (probably either USB-C or USB-A) and a USB-micro connection. Some cables are just for charging (power), but you’ll need one that’s capable of carrying Data too. It’s likely that you already own a suitable cable, especially if you connect USB devices like Android phones to your computer. If not, you can get one online (Amazon) or at local stores (MicroCenter, Walmart, Target, etc.).

Policy & Implementation

If you have questions about policy, ask an instructor using Piazza (if the nature of the question is confidential please do a private post to just the instructors, Bill Siever and Jim Feher; if the issue is truly sensitive, an individual email or meeting during office hours is best). 

We have intentionally structured the course to allow students to overcome almost all setbacks that occur during the semester (unexpected absences, short illness, etc.), however, you may need to be proactive to take advantage of these opportunities.

Special consideration will only be given if:

• the request comes from an appropriate campus staff member, like engineering student services, a counselor, etc., with an appropriate justification for special consideration, and
• there is an on-going issue that affects multiple aspects of course work over a prolonged period of time.

Major Policy Concerns

• Graded course components  (what, policies for each type, and how each contributes to the overall grade)
• Assignment of letter grades (or pass/fail)
• Collaboration & academic integrity
• Additional course support (for learning support, mental health issues, concerns about bias, victims of assault, etc.)
• Correspondence with Instructors

Graded Course Components

General grading issues

Homework

Studios

Reading & Prep: Reflection/Questions

Course Evaluations

Exams

Grading Concerns

Letter Grades

• An A+ grade is given at the discretion of the instructors. It is usually based on A level performance with the course material as well as substantial, notable additional work or additional contributions to the course/course-culture. 
• It’s common for students to ask for opportunities to improve their final grade at the end of the semester.  In order to be fair to all students, we must respond that there is nothing we can do. 
• If you want to earn a good grade: put in sufficient time, get help when necessary, pay attention to all course announcements. 

Collaboration & academic integrity

Academic integrity is an essential characteristic of any scholar!  Anyone suspected of cheating on any assignment in this course will be referred to the Dean’s office in Engineering Student Services.

You are encouraged to work with other students on studios and that collaborative work can be used in your assignments.   All homework (“Assignments”) should be independent work.  You may discuss high-level concepts, but should not discuss details of specific problems. Be sure you comply with the following conditions:

• Honestly represent your work. The material you turn in for course credit must be a fair representation of your own work, preformed specifically for that particular assignment. Copying another’s work is strictly prohibited. 
• Give help appropriately. When helping someone, you are not allowed to give them a solution. It’s always important to take the time to help someone think through the problem and develop the solution. Often, this can be accomplished by asking them a series of leading questions. Remember the old saying: Give someone a fish and they’ll eat for a day. Teach someone to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime.
• Give credit for help received. If you receive help from people, you must list their names where appropriate using comments in the material you submit.

• Work in groups only when allowed.

  • Studio work is collaborative and should be performed in groups of two to three people. Working in groups can be beneficial because you can discuss concepts, review possible alternatives, and catch each other’s mistakes.
  • Assignments must be completed individually, not in groups.
  • If in doubt, ask your instructor.  Be sure to ask in advance if you have any doubts about whether a certain type of collaboration is acceptable.

What happens if I am suspected of violating the academic integrity rules for this course?

• All cases will be referred to the Provost’s office. The process, including procedures for appeals and potential sanctions, are listed at Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students page.

Additional course support

Learning Support

Washington University is committed to providing accommodations and/or services to students with documented disabilities. Students who are seeking support for a disability or a suspected disability should contact Disability Resources at (314) 935-4153. Disability Resources is responsible for approving all disability-related accommodations for WU students, and students are responsible for providing faculty members with formal documentation of their approved accommodations at least two weeks prior to using those accommodations. We will accept Disability Resources VISA forms by email and personal delivery. If you have already been approved for accommodations, I request that you provide me with a copy of your VISA within the first two weeks of the semester.

Victims of Sexual Assault

he University is committed to offering reasonable academic accommodations (e.g. a no-contact order, course changes) to students who are victims of relationship or sexual violence, regardless of whether they seek criminal or disciplinary action. If a student needs to explore options for medical care, protections, or reporting, or would like to receive individual counseling services, there are free, confidential support resources and professional counseling services available through the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center. If you need to request such accommodations, please contact RSVP to schedule an appointment with a confidential and licensed counselor. Although information shared with counselors is confidential, requests for accommodations will be coordinated with the appropriate University administrators and faculty. The RSVP Center is located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, and can be reached at rsvpcenter@wustl.edu or (314) 935-3445. For after-hours emergency response services, call (314) 935-6666 or (314) 935-5555 and ask to speak with an RSVP Counselor on call. See: RSVP Center.

If a student discusses or discloses an instance of sexual assault, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking, or if a faculty member otherwise observes or becomes aware of such an allegation, the faculty member will keep the information as private as possible, but as a faculty member of Washington University, they are required to immediately report it to the Department Chair or Dean or directly to Ms. Cynthia Copeland, the University’s Associate Title IX Coordinator, at (314) 935-3411, cmcopeland@wustl.edu.  Additionally, you can report incidents or complaints to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or by contacting WUPD at (314) 935-5555 or your local law enforcement agency. See: Title IX

You can also speak confidentially and learn more about available resources at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center by calling (314) 935-8761 or visiting the 4th floor of Seigle Hall. See: RSVP Center

Bias Reporting

The University has a process through which students, faculty, staff, and community members who have experienced or witnessed incidents of bias, prejudice, or discrimination against a student can report their experiences to the University’s Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) team.  See: BRSS.

Mental Health

Mental Health Services’ professional staff members work with students to resolve personal and interpersonal difficulties, many of which can affect a student’s academic experience. These include conflicts with or worry about friends or family, concerns about eating or drinking patterns, and feelings of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.  See: https://counseling.washu.edu/services-provided/mental-health-emergency-crisis-response/.

The Division of Student Affairs also offers a telehealth program to students called TimelyCare. While students are encouraged to visit the Habif Health and Wellness Center during business hours, this additional service also provides after-hours access to medical care and 24/7 access to mental telehealth care across the United States, with no cost at the time of your visit. Students who pay the Health and Wellness fee are eligible for this service.

Additionally, see the mental health services offered through the RSVP Center listed above.

WashU Cares

WashU Cares specializes providing referrals and resources, both on, and off campus for mental health, medical health, financial and academic resources by using supportive case management. WashU Cares also receives reports on students who may need help connecting to resources or whom a campus partner is concerned about. If you are concerned about a student or yourself, you can file a report here: https://caresteam.washu.edu/.

The Learning Center

The Learning Center provides support programs, including course-specific mentoring and academic skills coaching (study and test-taking strategies, time management, etc.), that enhance undergraduate students’ academic progress. Contact them at learningcenter@wustl.edu or visit https://ctl.washu.edu/learningcenter/ to find out what support they may offer for your classes.

Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) supports and advocates for undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students from underrepresented and/or marginalized populations, collaborates with campus and community partners, and promotes dialogue and social change to cultivate and foster a supportive campus climate for students of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities.  See:   https://diversityinclusion.washu.edu/.

Correspondence with Instructors

Please use Piazza for all correspondence with instructors.  Please direct posts as generically as possible to get the fastest response:

• Simple questions and concerns should be posted to the entire class. (Questions about assignments should be made generic and not refer extensively to your work)
• Questions that contain something very specific to your work, like significant parts of your work, or about grading concerns, can generally be directed to “Instructors”, which includes any TAs and the professors.

Truly confidential matters can be communicated via a private post directed to either instructor or via email.