Course Syllabus

Grading Scale

The standard grading scale below is the starting point for the course. After all scores are in, final letter-grade cutoffs may be adjusted slightly downward if appropriate, but cutoffs will never be raised. For example, the A cutoff will never exceed 94%.

Pass/Not Pass for Undergraduate Students: We will follow the university grading system of C- or higher for P/NP grades.

Incomplete Grade: Sometimes, circumstances beyond a student's control prevent them from completing a class even once they have completed the majority of the coursework at a passing level. UCSD has a process in place for you to request an Incomplete (I) if this happens to you. Here is the campus policy about the Incomplete grade and some information about it.

Course Policies

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

We aim to create an environment in which all students can succeed in this course. We need and want to hear from you if additional accommodations would improve your experience in the course.

If you have a disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disability (OSD), which is located in University Center 202 behind Center Hall, to discuss appropriate accommodations right away. They also provide the OSD Student Portal. We will work to provide you with the accommodations you need, but you must first provide a current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the OSD. You are required to present the AFA letters to the Faculty and to the OSD Liaison in the department in advance so that accommodations may be arranged. We ask that you work to organize the AFA and to let us know about it as early in the quarter as possible so that we can best support your needs. For more information, see Disability Resources at UCSD.

Academic Integrity

In this course we expect students to adhere to the UC San Diego Integrity of Scholarship Policy. This means that you will complete your work honestly, and with integrity, and support an environment of integrity within the class.

Because this course involves the use of AI tools, the goal is not to avoid AI, but to use it responsibly, thoughtfully, and transparently. Many assignments in this course will explicitly involve using AI tools, but you are responsible for the work you submit and should understand and be able to explain your work if asked.

Some examples of how academic integrity applies in this course include:

• You may use AI tools where allowed or required, but submitted work should reflect your understanding, analysis, and reasoning.
• You may not submit AI-generated content as your own work without reviewing, modifying, and understanding it.
• You should be able to explain any work that you submit, including prompts you used and how you used AI tools.
• Students may not submit the same work as another student unless the assignment is explicitly a group assignment.
• Students may not post course materials, assignment questions, or solutions to public websites or repositories.

Use of Generative AI Tools

Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, etc.) are an important part of this course and will be used in some activities and assignments.

You are encouraged to use AI tools to:

• Explore ideas
• Brainstorm
• Learn new concepts
• Compare explanations
• Analyze outputs
• Experiment with prompts
• Support your learning

However, AI tools should not be used to replace your own thinking. You are responsible for evaluating AI-generated content, checking for errors, understanding the material, and making your own decisions about how to use AI outputs.

In general:

• You are responsible for any work you submit.
• You should understand and be able to explain your work.
• You should critically evaluate AI outputs rather than assuming they are correct.
• You should use AI tools responsibly and ethically.

Specific guidelines for AI use may be provided for individual assignments.

Outside Tutoring

Individuals are not permitted to approach students to offer services of any kind in exchange for pay, including tutoring services. This is considered a solicitation for business and is strictly prohibited by University policy.

Class material and intellectual property

Our lectures and course materials, including videos, assignments, and similar materials, are protected by U.S. copyright law and by University policy. We are the exclusive owner of the copyright in those materials we create. We acknowledge the cumulative contributions to this course material of previous instructors, TAs, and tutors, as well as contributions to the class structure from colleagues in CSE and at UCSD.

You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own use. You may also share those materials with another student who is enrolled in or auditing this course. You may not reproduce, distribute or display (post/upload) lecture notes or recordings or course materials in any other way — whether or not a fee is charged — without our express prior written consent. You also may not allow others to do so. If you do so, you may be subject to student conduct proceedings under the UC San Diego Student Code of Conduct.

Similarly, you own the copyright in your original work. If I am interested in posting your answers or papers on the course web site, I will ask for your written permission.

Late Adds

I follow the CSE department guidance on Late Adds, namely that “all students are expected to attend class for the first two weeks and complete assignments if they are on the waitlist for a course. Attending class and completing course assignments does not guarantee enrollment. If students choose to miss class or not turn in assignments while on the waitlist, the student will receive a “0” on all missed assignments, if they secure a seat in the course off the waitlist.”

Resources for Students

Mental Health Services

For students seeking services for mental health issues (including, but not limited to: stress, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, academic distress, relationship issues, etc.), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential psychological counseling and crisis services for all registered UC San Diego students. CAPS also provides a variety of groups, workshops and drop-in forums.

To contact CAPS, call (858) 534-3755. All students are screened with a brief telephone assessment. For more information, visit the Counseling and Psychological Services website.

Getting Help

We expect that all students will need help at some point during the quarter. Many resources are available including TA and instructor office hours, as well as the Piazza discussion board. We also encourage you to form study groups.

The IDEA Engineering Student Center, located just off the lobby of Jacobs Hall, is a hub for student engagement, academic enrichment, personal/professional development, leadership, community involvement, and a respectful learning environment for all. The Center offers a variety of programs, listed on the IDEA Center Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ucsdidea (you are welcome to Like this page!) and the Center website at http://idea.ucsd.edu/. The IDEA Center programs support both undergraduate students and graduate students.” The Teaching and Learning Commons continues to offer their full suite of student success programs, including learning strategies coaching.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to fostering a learning environment for this course that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives, and experiences, and respects your identities (including race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sex, class, sexuality, religion, ability, age, educational background, etc.). Our goal is to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment where all students feel comfortable and can thrive.

Our instructional staff will make a concerted effort to be welcoming and inclusive to the wide diversity of students in this course. If there is a way we can make you feel more included please let one of the course staff know, either in person, via email/discussion board, or even in a note under the door. Our learning about diverse perspectives and identities is an ongoing process, and we welcome your perspectives and input.

We also expect that you, as a student in this course, will honor and respect your classmates, abiding by the UCSD Principles of Community (https://ucsd.edu/about/principles.html), along with the guidelines for online interaction posted on the site. Please understand that others’ backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences may be different than your own, and help us to build an environment where everyone is respected and feels comfortable.

If you experience any sort of harassment or discrimination, please contact the instructor as soon as possible. If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the course, please contact the Office of Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination: https://ophd.ucsd.edu/.

Basic Needs/Food Insecurities

If you are experiencing any basic needs insecurities (food, housing, financial resources), there are resources available on campus to help, including The Hub and the Triton Food Pantry. Please visit http://thehub.ucsd.edu/ for more information.