CS 241 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 labs you may discuss design issues with other students, but you must write your own code. For the homeworks 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. 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.