This syllabus describes the course, policies, and procedures. Not all circumstances are covered in this syllabus. In these occasions, the discretion of the instructor will be used.

Compliance with this syllabus is mandatory for all enrolled students.

Amendments may be made to this syllabus with or without notifying the students. Do not download this syllabus. Instead, bookmark this page in case it happens to change. Amendments to the syllabus require approval before becoming official.

Weekly topics, office hours, and TAs may change without notification or approval.

A copy of this syllabus may be retrieved from http://tiny.utk.edu/cosc505.

1. Will, must, and shall indicate a mandatory requirement.
2. Should is used to indicate a preferred, but not mandatory method.
3. May indicates an acceptable or suggested means.
4. UTK is short for University of Tennessee at Knoxville
5. TBD is short for To Be Determined
6. IAW is short for In Accordance With

All students must use Canvas as the primary method for accessing this course. All assignments, announcements, and grades will be posted on Canvas.

The Canvas calendar will be used to notify students of any key dates. Students are required to frequently check the calendar for due dates and any updates to previous key dates.

All student information will be kept confidential IAW the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). More information may be found at https://ferpa.utk.edu.

Students may waive some or all of their FERPA rights by signing a waiver.

Any students who have disabilities may register with the Student Disability Services office (SDS). No accommodations will be made without prior approval from SDS.

More information regarding SDS may be found at http://sds.utk.edu.

Exception to policy rules maybe given in the following circumstances:

1. All exception to policy rules must be in writing (unless otherwise noted), or
2. Exception to policy rules must be made at the department head level, or
3. Any illness, injury, or death in the family, and so forth requires an absence request from the Dean of Students http://dos.utk.edu.

For unusual circumstances, the instructor may deviate from policy rules on a case-by-case basis. TAs and other representatives may suggest deviations, but they are not permitted to approve deviations.

Students who cannot resolve an appeal with the instructor, department, and college may file a formal appeal with the graduate appeals committee.

Electronic communication will be made to the professor(s) and/or teaching assistant(s) through Piazza. A link to this course's Piazza site is available through Canvas.

Piazza allows all instructors and teaching assistants to verify your identity and abide by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

For most purposes, do not send email directly to the professor(s) or teaching assistant(s).

Stephen Marz (20190507)