CS 201 Collaboration Policy

You are encouraged to discuss course material with other students, provided that you adhere to the following resctrictions. Violations carry severe penalties. If you have questions about any of this, or if you need advice for specific situations, please ask Professor Goldman.

All material turned in for credit must be your own work.

For the homeworks, if you want to work with other students, whenever possible work together on problems that are similar to the ones assigned but not the exact ones assigned. You should then solve the assigned homework problems on your own. For homework problems when this is not possible, you may discuss ideas (and of course go over class material) with other students, but you should work out all details and write up all solutions on your own. Copying part or all of another student's assignment, with or without the student's knowledge, is prohibited. Similarly, copying old solutions is prohibited. You should do the work yourself. Remember, an important aspect of the assignments is for you to gain experience with problem solving skills. Thus if someone just explains his/her solution to you (even if you work out the details and write it up in your own words) then you have lost most of the benefit of the exercise, and I expect this to be reflected on your performance on the exam. However, group discussion where all members are participating are beneficial and encouraged. Of course, you should always feel free to get help from the instructor or teaching assistants at our office hours .

Receive help with care.

Avoid working too closely with another student. Otherwise, you can unwittingly become dependant on that student's help and fool yourself into thinking that you understand things better than you really do. Always attempt to do as much as you can on your own. Then, after you do seek help, be sure to work through similar problems on your own.

Give help with care.

Don't help "too much." When you understand something, you may be tempted to show someone the complete solution. However, if you do this, you will rob them of the learning experience of reaching the solution on their own. Try giving a hint that will help them get "unstuck." If you don't see how to help without "giving away the whole thing," suggest that they see a teaching assistant or the instructor who may be able to help them through the process gradually.

Although you are allowed to help other students, you are never under any obligation to do so. If you feel uncomfortable answering a student's question for any reason, please do not attempt to answer the question. Instead, suggest that the student see a teaching assistant or the instructor.