CS 161 Design and Architecture of Computer Systems

Grading and Policies

Grading Breakdown (Total 100%)

- Homework assignments: 30% (HW0: 2%, HW2-Hw9: each 4%, one homeworks with lowest score will be dropped)
- Lab assignemnts: 40%
- Mini video to teach a concept in computer architecture: 20%
- In-class activities: 10%

Class Policies

Late submission: We do not accept any late submission for the exams. Homework assignments incur a 5% penalty per hour if submitted late, up to a maximum of 10 hours. You are allowed to skip one homework assignment without penalty—use this freebie wisely. If you choose to submit all homework assignments, your lowest score will be dropped at the end of the quarter.

Cheating policy: Collaborating with others on assignments is a valuable way to deepen your understanding and is encouraged, within clear boundaries. You may discuss the meaning of homework problems and general strategies for solving them with classmates. However, all written work and final solutions must be your own and completed individually. You may not copy from another student, share your written solutions, or use external sources such as online repositories or previous students' work in a way that substitutes for your own reasoning. Likewise, you may not allow others to copy your work.
AI tools such as ChatGPT may be used only to support your learning, such as helping you understand concepts or clarify doubts. Never use AI tools to complete assignments on your behalf. All submitted work must reflect your own thinking and understanding. Submitting AI-generated responses, even if edited, is not permitted. Any use of AI that bypasses your own effort and reasoning will be treated as academic dishonesty and result in a failing grade in the course.

Errors in grading: If you feel there has been an error in how an assignment or test was graded, you have one week from when the assignment is returned to bring it to our attention. You must submit (via email to the instructor AND the graders) a written description of the problem. Neither I nor the graders will discuss regrades without receiving an email from you about it first.

Submissions: Please ensure your files are accessible and not corrupted. Submissions that cannot be opened or read will not be accepted. Please make sure to upload the correct file. Wrong file submission, missing files, etc. requests will not be considered.

Solutions: The solutions to the homework assignments and exams will be discussed in the discussion sessions.

Grades: Your score will be available on Canvas.

Grading Scale

A+: 97 and above
A: 94-96.9
A-: 90-93.9
B+: 87-89.9
B: 84-86.9
B-: 80-83.9
C+: 77-79.9
C: 74-76.9
C-: 70-73.9
D+: 67-69.9
D: 64-66.9
D-: 60-63.9
F: Below 60

Academic Integrity

Here at UCR we are committed to upholding and promoting the values of the Tartan Soul: Integrity, Accountability, Excellence, and Respect. As a student in this class, it is your responsibility to act in accordance with these values by completing all assignments in the manner described, and by informing the instructor of suspected acts of academic misconduct by your peers. By doing so, you will not only affirm your own integrity, but also the integrity of the intellectual work of this University, and the degree which it represents. Should you choose to commit academic misconduct in this class, you will be held accountable according to the policies set forth by the University, and will incur appropriate consequences both in this class and from Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Programs. For more information regarding University policy and its enforcement, please visit: http://conduct.ucr.edu.

Student Resources

◆ If you need special accomodation, please either contact me or find more information here: "UCR campus resources"

Course Schedule

- The following schedule is tentative and is subject to change.
- Course content are posted in Canvas.

NOTE : Exact date and time for HW release, HW due, and Exam should be check on Canvas (this schedule only show the week each HW or exam is released/due, not the exact day of the week).