CDA216 Programming for the Web II

Instructor: James R. Gerland, Sr.
Time and Place: UBLearns
US Mail Drop:
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell St, Suite 207
Buffalo NY 14203-1243

Email: (The best way to reach me)
Office Hours: To be arranged
Course Website: UBLearns course site.
Course Home Page: Syllabus

Jim Gerland

Description

Students apply their existing knowledge of HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript to create web sites employing the PHP scripting language and a MySQL back-end database to create dynamic, interactive web sites. Topics include creation of web pages using PHP to display dynamic content, basic file system I/O, creation of a MySQL database, populating the database using SQL statements via PHP, and displaying the contents of the database on a web page. The Windows software used includes a text editor (such as NotePad++), an SFTP program (such as FileZilla), an HTML5 compliant browser (IE9+, Chrome, or FireFox) and the WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) software bundle. Macintosh software includes a text editor (such as TextWrangler (formerly BBEdit)), an SFTP program (such as Fetch or Cyberduck,) an HTML5 compliant browser (such as Chrome or Safari), and the MAMP (Macintosh, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) software bundle. Students do not need to purchase software because all software can be downloaded either from the UBIT Web site or via the Internet.
Back to Top

Objective

  • At the end of this course the student will have a basic understanding of programming concepts and using HTML5, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript, PHP,and MySQL to create interactive web pages accessing a back-end database.
  • CDA215 Web Programming I is a prerequisite. Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript programming is required.
    Back to Top

Note: All assignments are DUE by 11:59 PM on the day they are listed as being DUE!

Module Week Of Textbook Reading Chapter Assignments Assignments Due
1 Jan 28 Introducing PHP 1 Create Your Home Page
2 Feb 4 Configuring Your Environment 2 Setup Your Web Server
3 Feb 11 PHP Basics 3 Create a PHP Page Brief Introduction Due
4 Feb 18 Functions 4 Create Home Page Due
5 Feb 25 Arrays 5 Web Server Setup Due
6 Mar 4 Strings and Regular Expressions 9 Loop/Array/Function Page PHP Page Due
7 Mar 11 Working with the File and Operating System
& Error and Exception Handling		 10 & 8 Create a File I/O Page Loop/Array/Function Page Due
Mar 18-23 No Class - Spring Recess
8 Mar 25 Introducing MySQL 25 Create a MySQL Table File I/O Page Due
9 Apr 1 Using PHP with MySQL 30 Create a PHP/MySQL Page MySQL Table Due
10 Apr 8 Working with HTML Forms 13 Create a PHP/MySQL Form Page PHP/MySQL Table Due
11 Apr 15 Ajax - JavaScript and PHP 22 Create a User Registration Site
Create a Web Page That Accesses OpenData		 PHP/MySQL Form Due
12 Apr 22 Session Handlers 18 Create a PHP/JavaScript AJAX Page User Login Site Due
13 Apr 29 Object-Oriented PHP 6 Create a User Login Site
Create a User Administration Site		 PHP/JavaScript AJAX Page Due
14 May 5 User Registration Site DUE
OpenData Site Due
May 10 Last day of classes All Work Due By 11:59 PM tonight

Grading

  • Students will be graded on eight (8) assignments, worth a total of 90 points. The assignments will utilize the HTML5 web mark up language, Cascading Style Sheets, the JavaScript and PHP programming languages, and a MySQL back-end database.
  • There will be a Final Assignment worth 10 points.
  • There will be no opportunity for extra credit.
  • Assignments are due by midnight Saturday morning in the week they are listed.
  • There will be a .5 points late penalty for each week an assignment is past its due date.
  • Final grades will be based on total points. The final letter grades be based on the following table:
Grade Range   Grade Range
A 100 - 95 C+ 79 - 77
A- 94 - 90 C 76 - 70
B 86 - 84 D 69 - 60
B- 83 - 80 F 59 - 0

Back to Top

Assignments

Home Page | WAMP/MAMP | PHP Page | Loop/Function/Array | PHP File I/O | MySQL Table | PHP/MySQL Table | PHP/MySQL Form | Final

Create Your buffalo.edu Web Page (5 Points)

For this Assignment you will use your existing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge to create a web page named index.html in your ubunix.buffalo.edu account web space which will be used as the starting page for the rest of your Assignments for this course. You may modify an existing index.html file to meet the requirements below. Your web page should should be HTML5 and CSS3 compliant, should be well-designed, user friendly, easy to navigate and utilize the HTML5 tags, CSS3 styles and JavaScript. You will need to upload an image of yourself to your UB Web Space. You web page should:

  • Use appropriate <!doctype html> tag indicating that this is an HTML5 web page.
  • Use appropriate <html>, <head>, and <title> tags to give your page a title that contains your name. Appropriate <meta> tags with content describing keywords for the author, text-editor used, and SEO information.
  • Use appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web p age including your name, an <img> tag with appropriate src and alt values, along with width, and height CSS Styles that insert a graphic image of yourself on your page and a brief paragraph about yourself.
  • Use a JavaScript function that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments. In future assignments you will be converting each of these entries to web links that will allow me to view each assignment.
  • Use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.

You *MUST* use the W3c validator page at http://validator.w3.org/ to verify your code andhttp://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ to verify your CSS styles.

Your web URL to view your web page is: http://buffalo.edu/~your-userid/

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the Home Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").

Back to Assignments

Setup Your WAMP (Windows) or MAMP (Mac) Web Server (5 Points)

For this Assignment you will download and install either the WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) or the MAMP (Macintosh, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) software bundle on a local machine. You will test and verify this installation by creating a screen capture of the start page, the phpInfo, phpMyAdmin, and the SQLBuddy (Windows) or SQLite Manager (Mac) pages. You will then upload these four (4) images (server.png, phpinfo.png, phpmyadmin.png, and either sqlbuddy.png (Windows) or sqlitemanager.png (Mac)), to your UB Web Space. You will then create a web page named myserver.html in your account web space. This web page should:

  • Use appropriate <html>, <head>, and <title> tags to give your page a title that contains your name.
  • Use appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the four (4) above named screen shots indicating your successful installation of WAMP or MAMP.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

You *MUST* use the W3c validator page at http://validator.w3.org/ to verify your code and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ to verify your CSS styles.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the Web Server Setup Discussion Folder with the URL of your web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window.
Back to Assignments

Create Your First PHP Web Page (5 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a web page named cda211.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This file should be based on your index.html file. This web page should:

  • Use PHP to generate the following HTML:
    • An appropriate <!doctype html> tag indicating that this is an HTML5 web page.
    • Appropriate <html>, <head>, and <title> tags to give your page a title that contains your name. Appropriate <meta> tags with content describing keywords for the author, text-editor used, and SEO information.
    • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name, an <img> tag with appropriate src and alt values, along with width, and height CSS Styles that insert a graphic image of yourself on your page and a brief paragraph about yourself.
    • You should use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.
  • Use appropriate PHP comments throughout your code.
  • Use JavaScript to create a function that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments. Remember to modify your original JavaScript to convert the entry for this assignment to a web link that allows me to download and grade your work on my web server.
  • Use appropriate JavaScript comments throughout your code.
  • Save a screen capture of your web page and upload that image (phppage.png) to your UB Web space.
  • Create a well-designed web page file named phppage.html on your UB Web Space using HTML5/CSS.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the your phppage.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your First PHP Page.
  • Upload your cda211.php to your UB Web space and add a link to this file so I can download and grade your work.

Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the PHP Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create a PHP Web Page That Uses a Loop, a Function, and Arrays (15 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a web page named cda211_lfa.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This web page should:

  • Use appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use PHP to generate the following HTML:
    • An appropriate <!doctype html> tag indicating that this is an HTML5 web page.
    • Appropriate <html>, <head>, and <title> tags to give your page a title that contains your name. Appropriate <meta> tags with content describing keywords for the author, text-editor used, and SEO information.
  • Use PHP to:
    • Create a function that generates an HTML5/CSS table of three (3) columns: the month number, name of the month, and number of days in that month.
    • This function should use PHP Arrays to the store name of the months and days in each month.
    • This function should use a PHP Loop to walk through the months names array and generate HTML5/CSS to display the table.
    • This function should use a PHP conditional (if) test to determine whether the row is odd or even and use appropriate CSS to make the even rows a different background/foreground color than the odd rows.
  • Use appropriate PHP comments throughout your code.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • You should use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.
  • Modify your JavaScript that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments to convert the entry for this assignment to a web link that allows me to download and grade your work on my web server.
  • Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.
  • Save a screen capture of your web page and upload that image (php_lfa.png) to your UB Web space.
  • Create a well-designed web page file named php_lfa.html on your UB Web Space using HTML5/CSS.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the your php_lfa.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your PHP Loop/Function/Array Page.
  • Add a link to your cda211_lfa.php file so I can download and grade your work.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the PHP Loop/Function/Array Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create a PHP Web Page That Reads and Writes a Text File (15 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a web page named cda211_io.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This web page should:

  • Use appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use PHP to generate the following HTML:
    • An appropriate <!doctype html> tag indicating that this is an HTML5 web page.
    • Appropriate <html>, <head>, and <title> tags to give your page a title that contains your name. Appropriate <meta> tags with content describing keywords for the author, text-editor used, and SEO information.
  • Use PHP to:
    • Create a function that reads the text file cda211_io.txt which can be downloaded from the Course Documents area of our UBLearns course.
    • This function should use PHP Arrays to store records (each line is a "record").
    • This function should use a PHP Loop to walk through the months names array and generate HTML5/CSS to display the table.
    • This function should use a PHP conditional (if) test to determine whether the row is odd or even and use appropriate CSS to make the even rows a different background/foreground color than the odd rows.
    • Create a function that writes the text file cda211_ior.txt (reverse order).
    • This function should use PHP for loop to walk through the Array in reverse order and write each Array entry (line/record) to the cda211_ior.txt file.
  • Use appropriate PHP comments throughout your code.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • You should use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.
  • Modify your JavaScript that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments to convert the entry for this assignment to a web link that allows me to download and grade your work on my web server.
  • Save a screen capture of your web page and upload that image (php_io.png) to your UB Web space.
  • Create a well-designed web page file named php_io.html on your UB Web Space using HTML5/CSS.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the your php_io.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your PHP IO Page.

Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the PHP Input/Output Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create and Populate a MySQL Table (15 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a well-designed HTML5/CSS page, mysql_db.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This file should be based on your index.php file. This web page should:

  • Create a form with a simple "Import Months" button.
  • When that button is clicked, call a PHP function that:
    1. Connects to your MySQL server.
    2. Generates MySQL commands to CREATE a MySQL table, monhsTable, with these fields: monthsID (INT), monthName (CHAR, 10), monthDays (INT, 2). Good idea to have your first SQL statement be: DROP TABLE IF EXISTS monthsTable;
    3. If the table CREATE command is successful, call a PHP function (reuse the function from the PHP I/O assignment) that reads the text file cda211_io.txt which can be downloaded from the Course Documents area of our UBLearns course.
    4. This function should use PHP to generate MySQL commandes to INSERT each line (record) in that file, as it is read, INTO the monthsTable.
    5. Displays a "Successful" or "Unsuccessful" message when complete.
  • Use phpMyAdmin to Browse the monthsTable. Save a screen capture of this page and upload that image (mysql_db.png) to your UB Web space.
  • Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.
  • Create a well-designed web page file named mysql_db.html on your UB Web Space using HTML5/CSS.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tag (and values) to display the your mysql_db.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your MySQL Table and a link to your mysql_db.php file so I can download and grade your work.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the MySQL Table Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create a PHP Table Page From a MySQL Table (15 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a page, php_mysql_table.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This file should be based on your index.php file. This web page should:

  • Use PHP to:
    • Create a PHP function that:
      • Connects to your MySQL server.
      • Requests (select) all records in (from) the monthsTable.
      • Generates HTML5/CSS to display the results set as an HTML table.
  • This function should use a PHP conditional (if) test to determine whether the row is odd or even and use appropriate CSS to make the even rows a different background/foreground color than the odd rows.
  • Use appropriate PHP comments throughout your code.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • You should use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.
  • Modify your JavaScript that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments to convert the entry for this assignment to a web link that allows me to download and grade your work on my web server.
  • Save a screen capture of this page and upload that image (php_mysql_table.png) to your UB Web space.
  • Create a well-designed web page file named php_mysql_table.html on your UB Web Space using HTML5/CSS.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the your php_mysql_table.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your PHP/MySQL Table Page.

Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the PHP/MySQL Table Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create a PHP Form Page That Writes to a MySQL Table (15 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a page, php_mysql_form.php on your local web server using your favorite text editor, notepad++ (Windows) or textWrangler (Mac). This file should be based on your index.php file. This web page should:

  • Create one (1) table named contactsTable.
  • This table would have three (3) fields: contactID (INT), contactFrirstName (CHAR, 15), contactLastName (CHAR, 30), contactAddress (CHAR, 30), contactCity (CHAR, 30), contactState (CHAR, 2), contactZipcode (CHAR, 9), contactPhone (CHAR, 10), contactEmail (CHAR, 60), contactComments (LONGTEXT), and contactDate (DATE).
  • Use HTML5/CSS to create well-design form that collects the necessary information.
  • Use PHP to process the form data:
    • Validate each field again. If something doesn't validate redisplay the form with the data entered, a message to the user, and places the user in the offending field and allows the user to correct and re-submit.
    • If the data is valid then use PHP to create MySQL code to insert the data into the contactsTable.
    • Displays a "Thank You" page (that may include the user's name and email, etc.).
    • Displays the form again.
  • Use JavaScript and HTML5 to validate the form fields as the user enters them and uses JavaScript to place the user's cursor back into the field which does not validate (focus()).
  • Use appropriate PHP comments throughout your code.
  • Appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • You should use appropriately identified and styled <div> tags for the various areas of your page layout.
  • Note: This assignment can be approached in various ways:
    • You could create three (3) pages:
      1. A PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript page that displays the form and collects the information and where the action= value of the <form> tag calls a separate PHP page, processform.php.
      2. A PHP that process the form data and then displays "Thank You" page (header('Location: thankyou.html');).
      3. A separate HTML page, thankyou.html, that thanks the user for their input.
    • You could create two (2) pages:
      1. A PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript page that displays the form and collects the information and where the action= value of the <form> tag calls a separate PHP page, processform.php.
      2. A PHP that process the form data and then displays a PHP generated HTML page that thanks the user for their input (that may include the user's name and email, etc.).
    • You could create a single PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript page that displays the form and collects the information and where the action= value of the <form> tag calls itself and has PHP code at the top that decides whether the form has been submitted, and if it has:
      1. Processes the form data.
      2. Uses the PHP header function to call itself and passes a ?thankyou=TRUE parameter.
    • If the thankyou parameter is TRUE then display the a "Thank You" message (that may include the user's name and email, etc.) and then displays the form to allow the user to submit again.
      If it hasn't been submitted and thankyou is not TRUE then simply display the form.
  • Modify your JavaScript that uses an array of the Assignments for this course to display an ordered list of these assignments to convert the entry for this assignment to a web link that allows me to download and grade your work on my web server.
  • Save a screen capture of this page and upload that image (php_mysql_form.png) to your UB Web space and add a link to your web page so I can view the image.
  • Use the Export feature of phpMyAdmin to create a contactsTable.sql file. Then upload that file to your UB Web space and add a link to your web page so I can download it and Import it into my server and view and grade your work.
  • Use appropriate HTML5, CSS-styled tags that identify this as your web page including your name and a brief paragraph describing how you approached solving this problem.
  • Use an appropriate <img> tags (and values) to display the your php_mysql_form.png screen shot indicating your successful creation of your PHP/MySQL Form Page.

Once you have tested this page on your local web server, you will upload it to your UB web space.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to view your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the PHP/MySQL Form Page Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Create a Krug PHP Web Site (10 Points)

For this Assignment you will create a well-designed web site demonstrating your understanding and comments about the Steve Krug book Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability on your local server. This site should:

  1. Contain seven (7) pages: a home page (about this site), 5 pages covering the guiding principles of the book, and a final "Contact Me" form page.
  2. Use a well-designed navigation so that the user can get to any page from any other page in this site. You may want to create a separate krug-nav.php file and use the php_include_once to use the same navigation throughout the site.

Once you have tested these pages on your local web server, you will zip them and upload that zip file to your UB web space.

You will modify the JavaScript for this item in your index.html page to add a link for this assignment that allows me to download and grade your work.

When you have this Assignment ready for me to view and grade you should post a note in the Final Krug Web Site Discussion Folder with the URL of your home web page so I can click on that link and open your Assignment in a new browser window (target="_new").
Back to Assignments

Textbooks

Book Cover Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS & HTML5, 3rd Edition
Author: Robin Nixon.
ISBN: 9781491949467
Publisher: O'Reily
Copyright: 2014
3rd Edition Examples and Errata
Book is required.

DMMT

Don't Make Me Think!
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug / New Riders / 2005 (2nd Edition) / 216 pages
ISBN-10: 0321344758
ISBN-13: 978-0321344755

 or DMMT Revisited

Don't Make Me Think Revisited
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug / Pearson Education / 2013 / 216 pages
ISBN-10: 0321965515
ISBN-13: 9780321965516
Book is required.
Back to Top

Communication

The primary source of communication for this course will be by UBLearns and via email. Students taking an online course are expected to login at minimum one time per week for course announcements, assignments, etc.

Faculty/Instructor: I can be reached by email with questions or for guidance that are concerned with this course. You should expect that I will reply to your message within 1-2 business days.

Students: If you have multiple email accounts, please be sure that you access (or forward) your UB email. Your UB email is the account I will use to send course-related materials.

Netiquette

This course may utilize UBLearns to facilitate online communication between course participants. Please keep in mind the following "Rules of Netiquette" when communicating online.

  • The rules of the classroom are the same regardless of location. Remember just because you're interacting online, doesn't mean you stop having respect for your professors, and fellow classmates. You're communicating with a real person, not a computer screen.
  • Remember your audience. When communicating online it's important to remember who you're communicating with. When sending a message to a professor, please refrain from using "text speak". For example, Shakespeare never intended for you to type "2B or not 2B". Also, stay away from typing in all capital letters; it will appear as if you're shouting.
  • Avoid strong language. Language can easily be misinterpreted in an online setting. Be sure to review your work before submitting, making sure the reader won't be able to misinterpret it as strong, or offensive. Sarcasm doesn't translate well online. Your audience can't see your facial expressions, or body language. Try to be as straight forward and professional as possible.
  • Read everything, twice. Be sure to thoroughly read all course materials before beginning to work on your assignments. If you have a question, or need clarification, re-read the materials. You may have glanced over an important detail the first time. If you're still having difficulties, then e-mail your professor.
  • Review all materials before submitting. When responding to discussion board posts, be sure to read all previous postings before you post your own. This way you won't duplicate someone else's comments. Also, it's a good idea to write, and save your work in Microsoft Word first. In case of a technical issue, you have a backup copy.
    Back to Top

Policy Regarding Absences, Attendance, Assignments, Exams, and University Policy on Incompletes in Courses

  • Class Attendance and Absences
    As many online activities will be completed throughout the semester, participation in our UBLearns Discussion Forums is expected. In the case of exceptional circumstances that result in you not being able to participate in a timely manner, you must contact me prior to the start of your absence (either by email or by leaving a telephone message). Please be aware that a prolonged absence from UBLearns under these circumstances does not excuse you from any required assignments.
  • Late Assignments
    All assignments are due at the designated time and due date. Failure to submit the assignment when due will result in a loss of .5 points per week that the assignment is late (maximum late penalty will be 3 points). Assignments will always be accepted. It is always better to submit a late assignment and receive some points than to not submit it and receive 0 points. If there are circumstances that will preclude you from turning in assignments on the due date, it is imperative that you discuss the situation with the instructor prior to the due date.
  • Exams and Final Exam
    There will be no exams in this course.
  • Policy on incomplete grades for the course
    Incomplete grades will be given only if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. severe illness) that preclude the student from completing the course. The student must have satisfactorily completed all coursework and successfully passed all exams up until the time and incomplete is requested.
  • University Policy on Incomplete Grades
    Reference: Policy

    A grade of incomplete ("I") indicate that additional course work is required to fulfill the requirements of a given course. Students may only be given an "I" grade if they have a passing average in coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the course requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An "I" grade may not be assigned to a student who did not attend the course. Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an "I" grade and receive the instructor's approval. Assignment of an "I" grade is at the discretion of the instructor.

    The instructor must specify a default letter at the time the "I" grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not filed by the instructor. "I" grades must be completed within 12 months. Individual instructors may set shorter time limits for removing an incomplete than the 12-month time limit. Upon assigning an "I" grade, the instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to be fulfilled, and shall file a copy with the appropriate departmental office.

    Students must not re-register for courses for which they have received an "I" grade.
    Applicable dates regarding the 12-month provision:

    Incomplete Grade Schedule
    Courses taken in (semester) Will default in 12 months on
    Fall December 31
    Spring May 31
    Summer August 31

    The "I" must be changed to a grade before the degree conferral date if the students plans to graduate in that semester. At any time prior to the default date, students may elect to change the "I" grade to the default grade by contacting via Email:

    A default grade an be "A-," "B+," "B-," "C+," "C-," "D+," "D," or "F." (If a student selected an S/U grading option, it will replace the default letter grade when the grade defaults.)

  • Disability Policy
    If you have any disability which requires reasonable accommodations to enable you to participate in this course, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608, and also the instructor of this course during the first week of class. ODS will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations. UB Office of Accessibility Resources Web Site
  • Academic Integrity
    Reference: Undergrad Catalog Integrity Web Site

    Students who are suspected of academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely in accordance with the Department and University Policy. This may include a grade of 0 for an assignment and/or failure in a course.

  • Academic Dishonesty: Actions that compromise academic integrity include, but are not limited to the following examples:

    • Previously submitted work: Submitting academically required material that has been previously submitted - in whole or in substantial part - in another course, without prior and expressed consent of the instructor.
    • Plagiarism. Copying or receiving material from any source and submitting that material as one's own, without acknowledging and citing the particular debts to the source (quotations, paraphrases, basic ideas), or in any other manner representing the work of another as one's own.
    • Cheating. Soliciting and/or receiving information from, or providing information to, another student or any other unauthorized source (including electronic sources such as cellular phones and PDAs), with the intent to deceive while completing an examination or individual assignment.
    • Falsification of academic materials. Fabricating laboratory materials, notes, reports, or any forms of computer data; forging an instructor's name or initials; resubmitting an examination or assignment for re-evaluation which has been altered without the instructor's authorization; or submitting a report, paper, materials, computer data, or examination (or any considerable part thereof) prepared by any person other than the student responsible for the assignment.
    • Misrepresentation of documents. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University or Official document, record, or instrument of identification.
    • Confidential academic materials. Procurement, distribution or acceptance of examinations or laboratory results without prior and expressed consent of the instructor.
    • Selling academic assignments. No person shall sell or offer for sale to any person enrolled at the University at Buffalo any academic assignments, or any inappropriate assistance in the preparation, research, or writing of any assignment, which the sellers knows, or has reason to believe, is intended for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement.
    • Purchasing academic assignments. No person shall purchase an academic assignment intended for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement.

    Back to Top