Computer Science Program Academic Requirements & Regulations

CUNY Proficiency Examination (CPE)

The CUNY Proficiency Examination (CPE) is a graduation requirement. All students between 45-60 credits are required to sit for and pass the CPE. You have only three chances to pass this examination. Each missed scheduled examination after the 45 credit mark counts as a failure. For additional information about this requirement, preparation advice and CPE workshops, contact the CPE Liaison, Dr. Jennifer Sparrow: B-2038-D (office), 718-270-4953 (phone), jsparrow@mec.cuny.edu (email).

Grading Procedure

The final grade will be determined objectively by using a weighted average along with the following weighted areas: computer programs, presentations, projects, chapter examinations, midterm examination, and final examination. Check with the college catalog for information regarding the official grading policy.

Make-Up Examinations

The consequences of unauthorized failure to take examinations are: (1) there are no make-up examinations, (2) missed examination grades are counted as F. This is a departmental policy! In courses where there are several chapter examinations, the instructor may choose to drop the lowest grade (such as an F grade from a missed examination) when computing the final grade.

Midterm Grade Report

To insure students enrolled in computer science classes continue to make satisfactory academic progress, Computer Science Faculty in the PECS Department distributes midterm grade reports to all students enrolled in computer science classes after the 6th week of classes. When you receive this midterm report please check it carefully. If your midterm grade during that period is a D or F grade, you must schedule an appointment to meet with the computer science program coordinator to discuss your status in the course. Please Note:INC (Incomplete) or ABS (absent) grades will only be given to students who are passing the course. Students who officially withdraw from a course between the 4th through the 8th week receive a grade of W, which is not counted in computing the grade point average.

REMEMBER:
PROFESSORS DON’T GIVE GRADES … STUDENTS EARN THEM! Attendance

All students have the responsibility to attend class regularly and to participate fully in the work of the course. If the absences of a student consecutively exceed twice the number of regular class meetings per week, the student may be dropped from the course with a grade of WU at the discretion of the instructor. A WU grade is equivalent to an F grade. Attendance may also affect eligibility for Financial Aid, and participation in MEC varsity athletic programs.

Abs (Absent) Inc (Incomplete) Grades

Students who officially withdraw from a course between the 4th through the 8th week receive a grade of W, which is not counted in computing the grade point average. Courses officially dropped after the 8th week of class will appear as a WF and count as an F grade. An absent grade is given only when a student is passing the course and misses the final exam. An incomplete grade is a temporary grade for the student who is doing reasonably good work during a semester and who for some justifiable reason has not been able to complete a particular assignment. INC (Incomplete) or ABS (absent) grades will only be given to students who are passing the course.

Resolving Course-Related Concerns

As a matter of common courtesy, concerns or issues related to specific computer science courses should first be brought to the attention of the faculty teaching the course. If the matter cannot be resolved, it should then be brought to the program coordinator, the PECS Chair, and then, if necessary, to the Dean of the School of Science, Health and Technology.

SASSC Can Assist with Personal Issues and Situations

If family, work obligations, illness, or varsity athletics interfere with your ability to allocate the necessary amount of time for your college studies, you may need to reorganize your time, and/or your priorities, or maybe consider attending college part-time. We all experience challenges in life, but the computer science classroom is not the place for faculty and students to discuss their personal problems or situations. The good news is that the Student Advocacy and Support Services Center (SASSC) is responsible for providing academic advisement and counseling services. SASSC Counselors are trained professionals who can assist with personal matters that require counseling.

MEC Policy on Cell Phones and Wireless Devices

The use of cell phones, PDAs, personal CD players, pagers and other electronic devices, inside the classroom during the classroom period is prohibited. In particular, cell phones should be set to silent upon entering the classroom, the library, and instructional labs, and turnedOFF during an examination. Please be advised that placing or receiving calls as well as conversing on cell phones during the conduct of a class, while in the library or labs shall be considered as disruptive behavior for students and unprofessional behavior for faculty and staff.

Honor Code

Students are required to sign and adhere to the following departmental honor pledge:

Honor Pledge:
On my honor, I have neither given nor received
unauthorized help on this examination or paper. ______________________________________