Syllabus

Connects to Institutional Learning Outcomes: ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4

• PLO1: Effectively collects, organizes, analyzes and interprets both structured and unstructured datasets from diverse sources.
• PLO2: Can effectively and ethically use statistical data analysis techniques, modern machine learning algorithms, and state-of-the-art software tools and programming environments to design, build, evaluate, and deploy new predictive models.
• PLO3: Develop competency in the theories, methods, and practices of domains that apply data science techniques.
• PLO4: Can clearly and persuasively communicate the results of data analysis including critical examination and reflection on the ethical implications of such analysis.

Connects to Institutional Learning Outcomes: ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4

• PLO1: Effectively design, implement, evaluate, improve, and document a solution to a problem delivered as a maintainable software system.
• PLO2: Demonstrate competency in the theories, models, and practices of project domains that require the engineering of software.
• PLO3: Can effectively manage and predict the cost, scope, and deadline of a software engineering project.
• PLO4: Use effective oral and written communication methods to explain both the technical and product-use details of a software artifact.

Midterm grades will be submitted for all students in this course by Monday, October 19, 2026, but will not appear on academic transcripts. They offer an early indication of your performance so you can make adjustments if needed before the end of the term.

If you think you may be sick, particularly with something contagious, stay home. See CIS department policies for more on missed class and illness.

Course deadlines, absences, and accommodations for mental health are subject to this syllabus's policies. Communicate with the professor as soon as possible if your mental health is affecting your work.

Allegheny has partnered with ECPS (Edinboro Counseling and Psychological Services) for in-person therapy on campus. Call (814) 734-3975 to schedule, or email the Manager of Student Wellness Services at wellness@allegheny.edu. All students also have free access to the TimelyCare Telehealth platform (up to 6 therapy sessions/year plus 24/7 TalkNow phone support). Register at timelycare.com/allegheny with your Allegheny email.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Public Safety (814-332-3357), or 911, all available 24/7/365.

Allegheny College uses an Academic Alert system to send progress notices to faculty advisors, coaches, cohort advisors, and class deans. The progress notices are not punitive. They are an opportunity to connect you with professionals who can offer additional support and suggest resources if you need assistance.

The Gator Success Grant program is designed to provide students with additional financial assistance to offset the total cost of college attendance and to encourage successful on-time degree completion. Currently enrolled students who have an unanticipated need are invited to apply. Direct questions to academicsuccess@allegheny.edu.

Experienced peer writing and speaking consultants help writers and speakers make academically responsible choices and determine strategies for effective communication at any stage in the writing or speaking process, for assignments in any discipline. Both appointments and drop-in sessions are available in the Tutoring Center on the main floor of Pelletier. See here for hours and appointments.

In each semester, we have at least one day set aside for programming, with no classes. Fall Gator Day is held on the first Tuesday in November. For Fall 2026 this is the All-College Programming Day, Tuesday November 3 (this course does not meet that day). Spring Declaration Day is held on a Monday in early April. Additionally, in the Spring, during the Richard J Cook – Teresa M Lahti Scholars Symposium, we gather to celebrate student research, scholarship, and creative activities on campus. All students are encouraged to participate.

The Office of Class Deans in Pelletier Library serves as a place for students to begin seeking assistance and answers to their questions related to college life. Aacha Brown-Gregg is the First Year Class Dean, Amy Stearns is the Second Year Class Dean / Director of Transfer Advising, and Carene Shipley is the Third/Fourth Year Class Dean. Please contact them individually or through academicsuccess@allegheny.edu.

Audio, video, or cell phone recording of any class is prohibited unless prior written permission of the instructor has been obtained and all students and guest speakers have been informed recording may occur (or the recording is an approved educational accommodation). Recordings may not be reproduced, uploaded publicly, or distributed for any purpose beyond individual or group study without express written permission. See Section 9.8 of the Faculty Handbook for the full policy.

Allegheny College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, and disability, and prohibits sex-based harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking, as required by Title IX.

Trae Yeckley, Dean for Student Life and Title IX Coordinator, 814-332-3085 (direct line), titleix@allegheny.edu, Student Life Suite, Campus Center. You can access support and resources even if you do not want to take further action.

Faculty are Responsible Employees with Mandatory Reporting Obligations: unless otherwise identified by policy, all Allegheny faculty, staff, and administrators are mandated reporters and must notify the Title IX Coordinator of any incident of discrimination or harassment disclosed to or known to them. If you need confidential support instead, the options below are exempt from mandatory reporting:

On Campus:

• Meadville Medical Center @ Winslow, (814) 332-4355, walk-ins welcome, M–F 10am–3pm (last check-in 2:30pm) while classes are in session
• ECPS (Edinboro Counseling and Psychological Services) partnership, (814) 734-3975, call to schedule
• Wellness in Student Life, wellness@allegheny.edu, (814) 332-2782

Off Campus:

• Meadville Medical Center Emergency Room, 751 Liberty Street, (814) 333-5500
• Meadville Crisis Line, (814) 724-2732
• Women's Services, Inc., (814) 724-4637 (office)
• 24-hour Hotlines: (814) 333-9766 or (888) 881-0189
• More on the College's Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy: sites.allegheny.edu/titleix
• Resources | Title IX | Allegheny College

Computer science, like many disciplines, has its own professional ethics. Review the ACM Code of Ethics for a sense of what is expected of practitioners.

Allegheny students and employees are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and safe residential learning community that will actively confront and challenge racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of harassment and discrimination. We encourage individual growth by promoting a free exchange of ideas in a setting that values diversity, trust, and equality.

Allegheny College has a student-run Honor Code designed to promote individual responsibility and integrity in academic affairs. All students and faculty are bound by it. Given the shareable nature of code, the CIS department adds: thoughtful discussion of the principles underlying a problem is encouraged, but all submitted assignments must be the original work of the student submitting them, signed in accordance with the Honor Code. This applies equally to code, online forums, and AI-generated content. See the AI-in-this-course policy above for how to properly attribute AI assistance. See here for more on the Honor Code.

Students whose religious observances conflict with scheduled class meetings or final examinations are responsible for notifying the instructor in advance to arrange a reasonable accommodation. Such requests should be submitted with sufficient notice to allow for appropriate planning. Students may also contact the Office of Spiritual, Religious, and Personal Wellbeing (srpw@allegheny.edu) for guidance and support in coordinating accommodations related to religious observance. See here for more details.

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) at (814) 332-2898, located in Pelletier Library, as early as possible. See here for details.