Expectations of Students

This is a programming course.  To successfully complete this course, students will write approximately 18 programs (a little more than 1 program a week). 

Students WILL take responsibility for their learning.  Distance education does not involve a classroom component and students must rely on the textbook and the course web page - and interaction with the instructor for their learning.

Students WILL complete the assignments on their own - or when assigned in a team environment.  It is acceptable to ask other students for assistance, but it is not acceptable to directly "borrow" "plagiarize" "steal" another student's assignment.  Blatant cheating is not acceptable.  If cheating is detected on a programming assignment, that assignment will be a zero; if cheating is detected on an "opportunity session" - that will be assigned a zero.

Students will communicate with the instructor with questions about assignments, etc.  (See the "Expectations of the Instructor" page.)

Students will submit their COBOL code (files with a .cbl extension) and their output files (generally files with a .txt extension) to the instructor for grading by e-mail by the due date on the course web page.

If students are experiencing difficulty and need help from the instructor, they will be expected to contact the instructor by e-mail or phone.

With the rapid pace of this course (i.e. the frequency of programming assignments), it is imperative to stay current with assignments.  Thus, without a good excuse, late assignments will not be accepted.

There will be two on-line "opportunity sessions" (tests).  These tests will be taken on-line through an approved proctor.  On campus students will take their opportunity sessions with Susan Eykamp in the distance education office.  Both opportunity sessions will be closed note, closed book, and no additional resources.  Off campus students will be asked to assist the instructor in finding an acceptable proctor.

COBOL is a widely used language still in demand.  Major financial institutions in the area use COBOL for many back-end systems - including Aetna, Travelers, SNET/SBC, Cigna, and others.

Good Luck - and Good Learning!!!!

Bruce White