CSC210 FAQ — How to Succeed (and Avoid Common Pitfalls)

This FAQ answers common questions students have about exams, assignments, collaboration, extensions, and grading. If you’re unsure about something, start here.

Exams & Mastery

How do the midterms work?

We have three midterms, taken asynchronously over a weekend. Each midterm introduces new topics and also includes all previous topics, so you can retake earlier material.

What does “mastery with replacement” mean?

For each topic, we keep your highest score across all exams.

  • Earlier lower scores are not averaged in.
  • One bad day will not permanently hurt you.
  • You can raise your score by mastering the topic later.

Example: If you score 70% on a topic on Midterm 1 and 95% on Midterm 3, your final score for that topic is 95%.

What counts as a “topic”?

A topic is a specific conceptual skill, such as:

  • linked list insertion
  • recursive tree traversal
  • heap invariants

Even if a topic appears in a new context, it still counts as the same underlying skill.

If I get a 90% once, can I ignore that topic later?

Not safely. Later exams may rely on earlier topics as prerequisites, even if you do not need to retake them for score replacement.

Homework & Compilation

What does “code must compile to be graded” mean?

Your code must compile in the autograder environment in order to be graded.

  • Code with syntax errors
  • Missing methods
  • Incorrect method signatures cannot receive partial credit, even if some parts are correct.

But my code runs on my computer — why does the autograder fail it?

The autograder environment is authoritative for this course. Local execution does not override autograder results. If the autograder says it doesn’t compile, it doesn’t compile for grading purposes.

Extensions & Late Work

How do extensions work?

You can request an automatic 72-hour extension ahead of the deadline using the extension request form.

Is the extension deadline a real deadline?

Yes. The extension deadline functions exactly like the original deadline. Work submitted after the extension deadline cannot be accepted.

What if something serious happens after the extension deadline?

In rare, serious, documented circumstances, the Class Deans’ Office may contact the instructor to coordinate next steps.

Can I submit late and still regrade later?

No. Assignments not submitted by the original (or extended) deadline are not eligible for regrading.

Collaboration & Peer Support

Can I work with classmates?

Yes — at the level of ideas and design. You are encouraged to:

  • explain your design to a peer
  • talk through invariants
  • discuss edge cases

Can I share code with classmates?

No. You may not:

  • share code
  • screenshare code
  • paste snippets
  • view another student’s code before submitting your own

Even “just looking” at someone else’s code is not allowed.

Why isn’t pair programming allowed on homework?

Homework is designed to help you build individual understanding that aligns with exams. Pair programming often harms learning when partners have unequal experience. Collaboration is encouraged — co-authoring code is not.

Are labs different from homework?

Yes.

  • In-class labs may involve shared work and discussion.
  • Graded homework assignments must be completed individually.

AI Use

Can I use AI tools if I cite them?

Citation is required — but citation alone does not make use appropriate. All submitted work must reflect your own understanding.

Is AI allowed for debugging?

Using AI to diagnose or fix bugs counts as code assistance and must be cited. You are responsible for being able to explain and reproduce any code you submit without assistance.

Regrades

When are regrades done?

Regrades are completed only at the end of the semester, not on a rolling basis.

Can a regrade raise my score above 90%?

No. Regraded scores are capped at 90%, even if the resubmission is perfect.

Attendance & Labs

What if I miss a class with an in-class lab?

In-class labs are designed to be completed during class and may be difficult or impossible to replicate independently. If you have an unexcused absence, you are responsible for coordinating with the instructor or TAs to make up the work within one week.

TA Hours

TA hours are a core support structure for this course. Students who do well in CSC210 typically attend TA hours regularly throughout the semester—not only when stuck, but to sanity-check designs, talk through invariants, and catch small issues early. While attendance is not formally required, we strongly encourage you to plan TA hours into your weekly schedule as part of your normal workflow. You can find information about TA hours on the Spinelli Center website: https://www.smith.edu/academics/integrative-learning/spinelli-center-quantitative-learning/tutoring-hours#comp_sci.

Communication

Is Slack real-time chat?

No. Slack is asynchronous. Responses may take time, especially outside business hours. For deeper help, please use office hours or TA hours.

Still unsure?

If something is unclear:

  • Check the course website.
  • Re-read the assignment PDF.
  • Review the autograder feedback. Then ask — with context — via the appropriate channel. We want you to succeed, and clear expectations are part of that.