Guidelines for IEGR 317 Class

Fall 2022 SemesterInstructor: Dr. M. Salimian

 

These general guidelines are designed for in-class instructions. At the end of each item, adjustments for online classes are presented in red colors, if needed.
 

Work Submission

  1. Report must be digitally processed using a word processor such as Microsoft Word©. No hand-written submission is graded. The only exceptions are graphs and plots, which is still recommended to be computer processed, but will not cause point reduction if neatly and professionally hand drwan.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: All file names must follow the following format:
    YourFirstName YourLastName IEGR 317 AppropriateNameForFile
    Example: John Doe IEGR 317 Assignment 1
    Reports must be saved in PDF format, other files in their original format.
  2. Reports must have a cover page using the same fonts you are planning to use in the report. See the sample format Go To. All pages must be numbered. Page numbering should be included in the footer section of the page. Original assignment sent by the instructor should be included after the cover page. Cover page and original assignment page should not be numbered. Page 1 of the report should begin from your actual report. Although not required, students may choose to add additional information in the footer section next to the page number. Examples are: student name, course number, and homework number. No other decoration on the pages, or information on the header section should be included.
  3. Report must be stapled (top left corner), placed inside the pocket of a two-pocket folder and slid under my office door before the deadline. On the outside top right corner of the folder write your name, course number, and assignment information. Two-pocket folders can have any color of your choice and you may write the information on the folder. However, if your folder has a dark color, the information is difficult to read. In that case, and preferably for any color folder, you need to use a white label and write the information on the label. There are some used folders from previous semesters available in my office, but they all need to have new labels.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: All work must be submitted in digital format through a shared Google drive, unless it is specifically requested to be sent by email.
    Go to your school Google drive and create a folder
    IEGR 317 YourFirstName YourLastName
    Right click on the folder and share it with me. Make sure the permission is set to Edit.
    Upload the report file (in PDF) and other companion files (in their original format) to the shared folder before the deadline.
  4. If an assignment requires that you use a specific software or you chose to use a software other than Microsoft Word©, you need to submit the file from that software by email before the assignment deadline.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: All supporting files must be submitted in digital format through the same shared Google drive, unless it is specifically requested to be sent by email.
  5. Any late submission is penalized. If you know that you may not be at school on the assignment deadline, try to submit your work a day earlier. You may also send your work to a friend or classmate to print and submit for you. There is no make up for the missed homework. In extreme cases such as hospitalization, serious incidents, or legal proceedings, instructor may choose not include the grade from the assignment in overall grade calculation.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: Due to online submission, there should be no problem with submission. The extreme case situations are still treated as mentioned above.
  6. All submitted work must be your own work. Although you can use tutorials, published materials and other resources to help you write your report, you must avoid copying other people's work and using it in your reports as your own or have someone else do your assignments. Not only that is unethical, it may result you failing the course and other school related penalties. You might want to consult a Report Writing Guideline Go To.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: Due to online nature of the class, verification of ownership of submitted work is more complicated. I am relying on three strategies to demonstrate the ownership.
    1. Pictures: Along with any assignment model submitted, you also need to take several pictures of yourself working on the project. Each image should show you in front of the computer monitor with the screen showing parts of the project you created. Spread the selection so it covers the entire project. Then, insert the images in ypur report as an appendix, with about a line of explanation for each image. Fit two images in each page. Save the document in PDF format and submit along with your model. Don't forget the adhere to other submission requirements (cover page, original assignment page, etc.)
    2. Presentations: All main assignments and projects need to be presented in 5 to 10 minute slots during my office hours at most by one week after its deadline. During the presentation you need to explain how you created the model.
    3. Camera Enabled: During the exams you will be asked to enable your camera and share your screen.
 

Email communication

  1. To send a direct email to the instructor, you must use a specific subject line format for your email. The format is:
    IEGR 317: SomeInformationAboutTheEmail (Example: IEGR 317: A question about Assignment 1)
    Make sure that file name is unique and different from your other email communications.
  2. To communicate specific information related to the entire class a Google group for the class is used. All students registered for the class are added as the members of the group. Only MSU emails are allowed for group membership. The group is a moderated group. It means that when an email is sent to the group, a moderator (in most cases, the instructor of the course) has to approve it before it is sent to all members. All class members may post to the group, information or queries that all group members might find it useful. However, if questions, comments and information only are meant for the instructor, then personal school email should be used. To send an email to the Google group use the email IEGR317@morgan.edu. To access IEGR317 Google group, launch your school email and click on the Google apps box (top right corner, next to the bell sign) and select My groups. You can also find the group through its direct link Go To. In that group you also find previous emails sent to the group.
 

Class Attendance Policy

    Class Attendance Policy at Morgan State University in contained on page 35 under Academics section of the university catalog. It is reprinted here for your information.

      The following class attendance policy (approved by the Board of Regents on May 15, 1991) applies at the University: With the intent of optimizing student performance and ensuring students the opportunity to achieve their ultimate academic success, students are expected to attend all classes. Excessive absences may result in a failing grade. It is the student’s responsibility to confer with the course instructor concerning absences and the possibility of arranging to make up missed work, where that is a possible option. If students are absent from class to participate in University-sponsored or other University-endorsed activities, they may be permitted to make up any work that they missed, but they must make arrangements with their instructors in advance of the absence. Students must provide appropriate documentation for absences from classes resulting from illness or other emergencies. Instructors will make good faith efforts to en sure that students are not unduly penalized for excused absences. Instructors shall provide, as part of their course syllabi, a clear explanation of the policy on class attendance expectations, and the consequences of breaching said policy.

    My specific policies are based on both university policy and student performance. When a student misses a class, it is the responsibility of that student to ask the fellow classmates about the materials covered and try to learn them on his/her own. Extensively published research has clearly indicated that missing a class has a direct correlation with failure in the class. Very few individuals can pass a course without attending and learning in the class room. As such, it is strongly recommended that you attend the class. Although, a mandatory attendance policy would not be in effect for the class, the attendance becomes mandatory for students who miss the class and the performance in the class is not satisfactory.
    ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLINE CLASSES: All class meetings are online and most of them are recorded and made available through a shared Google drive. There are also ample video tutorials available on internet that can help if for due to an emergency you miss a class. The textbook is also selected to help you develop your skills through hands-on practice. As such, you might think that not attending the class might not harm your class performance. Based on my long teaching experience and established field research, I strongly recommend not to miss any classes. Usually during a class session useful tips, instructions and other useful discussions takes place that could help you improve your skills. Additionally, instructor might alert students about works that need to be submitted during the class time. Finally, do not forget that as part of your grade, class engagement is an important factor that could impact your final grade in this class.