Assessment

Assignment Requirements

Overview

You will write assignments after completing specific units in COMP 501. These assignments comprise 10% (Assignment 1), 15% (Assignment 2), and 20% (Assignment 3) of your final course mark, so please read this section carefully. Complying with the information given here will help you obtain the best possible mark.

Assessment	Weight
Assignment 1 (Units 1 & 2)	10%
Assignment 2 (Unit 3)	15%
Assignment 3 (Units 1–9)	20%
Self-Assessment Activity	5%
Conference Participation	15%
Final Exam	35%
Total	100%

Requirements for Assignment Programs

1. You must write a complete program that compiles and runs with command-line javac and java.
2. Incomplete programs or code fragments are unacceptable.
3. Your program must solve the particular programming task required for the assignment.
4. If a program requires multiple source files, they must all be included in the zip file submitted.
5. If the program requires source files that are not part of the built-in JDK package, then you must include them in the zip file.
6. Programs must compile correctly and be fully tested before submission.
7. All programs must compile from ONE working directory. (It can have several sub-directories within it.)
8. All programs must include proper explanations and complete headers.

• Explain the code behaviours and/or objectives by using a comment or a block of comments before the appropriate code or block of codes. Doing so will ensure that you can fully understand your code three months later, and it will help other developers/maintainers know what you were thinking while writing the programs.
• The headers for these programs must be contained in a block of comments at the beginning of the programs and functions, including program/function name, description, expected inputs, expected outputs/results, called by whom, and will call what functions.
• All programs must also include (in .doc/.pdf files, not .docx) a complete test plan (e.g., in a table) with test items, inputs, expected outputs, actual outputs, and results/remarks.

Marking Scheme

1. Program compiles without errors (20%)
2. Correct program execution (20%)
3. Source codes without errors (20%)
4. Documentation (explanations and headers) (20%)
5. Test plan (20%)

• If your program does not compile or run, you may receive a mark of “0” for the assignment.
• If you use components and/or images from the work of others, you must have their permission to do so and include proper citations in the program's headers. You also need to get the original author's agreement in writing and put it in your program.
• If you copy the work of others with only a small revision, you will receive a mark of “0” for the assignment. (The tutor and the course coordinator will discuss and judge such cases.)
• If plagiarism is discovered, or reported and confirmed, you will receive a mark of “0” for the assignment.

Course Grades

To receive credit for Foundation/Core courses, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least B- (70%), with an aggregate grade of at least 60% on the assignments and a grade of at least 60% on the final examination.

It is possible to pass COMP 501 without obtaining a passing grade in every assignment; however, your aggregate assignment grade must be at least 60%.

Late Penalties

Assignments are due on the due date posted on Moodle. Be sure to note not just the due date but also the time. Late assignments will be assigned late penalties as noted below. Late penalties are also specified in each assignment document.

Any assignment submitted after the due date will receive the following penalties:

Days Late	Mark Reduced By __ %
1–2 days late	mark reduced by 10%
3–5 days late	mark reduced by 40%
6–10 days late	mark reduced by 60%
10–14 days late	mark reduced by 80%
more than 14 days late	mark of 0 (zero) on the assignment

Waiving Late Penalties

Late assignments will be accepted in the event of a medical situation or other significant personal problem on a case-by-case basis. You MUST inform the instructor by email about the situation BEFORE the due date. You will be required to submit written documentation of the situation to the instructor. You will be required to provide an estimate of when the assignment will be submitted; this will become your new due date. Each case will be determined on an individual basis.

To apply for a penalty waiver, you MUST email the instructor. No other form of communication (e.g., conference post or conference email) will be accepted.

Restrictions

• Computer or email malfunction is not an acceptable reason for penalty waiver.
• Failure to read the COMP 501 conference postings is not an acceptable reason for penalty waiver.

Self-Assessment Activity

The self-assessment activity is worth 5% of your final grade. For this activity, you will play a web-based, AJAX-enabled game and then post feedback in the forum. Full details are on the Self-Assessment Activity page.

Final Exam

The final exam for COMP 501 is an online, invigilated, closed-book examination. You will have a maximum of three (3) hours to write the exam. The exam is based on the recommended readings and activities in the units and may contain questions related to your assignments. This examination consists of three types of questions: short answer, long answer, and technical. The final exam is worth 35% of your final grade.