The following policies apply to all courses within the Computer Simulation and Gaming (CSG) program. These guidelines are designed to ensure a consistent, fair, and supportive learning environment for all students. By enrolling in a CSG course, students agree to uphold the standards and expectations outlined below. Please review each section carefully, as these policies apply across all course levels and instructors within the program.

Learning Models

Our program utilizes a learning model that encompasses diverse methods for delivering and structuring educational content, a robust general curriculum, and a T-shaped learning approach.

Instructional Methods

The University of Tulsa offers courses with three different instruction methods: 

• In-person courses meet at a scheduled location, date, and time. Some course components, such as assignment submissions, may still be completed online.
• Online synchronous courses are conducted online and meet at a scheduled date and time.
• Online asynchronous courses are fully online courses with no set meeting times, but students must meet all assignment deadlines.

Online Learning

Online courses offer flexibility to study from anywhere and on your own schedule, but they demand self-discipline and motivation. The rigor matches that of in-person courses, with expectations to engage with course materials, collaborate with peers, and meet all deadlines.

Quad Courses

To ensure a broad and interdisciplinary foundation, all TU students are required to complete two courses in each of the four designated Quads. These categories span key areas of knowledge and inquiry. While students have flexibility in selecting many of these courses, some Quad courses are predetermined by the program. See the CSG bulletin for more required courses.

• Quad 1: Creative Arts
  Students will produce creative works informed by the critical questions, texts, media, forms, practices, or systems of knowledge relevant to the creative arts.
• Quad 2: Humanities
  Students will comprehend, analyze, evaluate, or contextualize works of human culture.
• Quad 3: Social Sciences
  Students will examine the social, cultural, historical, environmental, or psychological factors that shape human society, thought, or action.
• Quad 4: Natural and Applied Sciences
  Students will understand and apply fundamental scientific principles and experimental techniques.

T-Shaped Learning

Our T-shaped learning approach combines a broad foundation of general skills with opportunities for deep specialization in specific areas. The vertical stem of the ‘T’ represents deep expertise and in-depth knowledge in a particular discipline, while the horizontal bar signifies a wide range of complementary skills and knowledge across various fields. This model equips students to be versatile and adaptable, providing them with both the depth and breadth needed to succeed in diverse and dynamic professional environments.

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Course Structure

Courses consist of 3 to 4-hour weekly class periods, either in-person or online, involving lectures, demonstrations, and discussions. Students are expected to actively engage through meaningful participation and inquiry-based learning.

Attendance is mandatory for all class periods. Frequent absences will directly impact your overall grade and diminished performance due to missed instruction and participation. In the event of an emergency or unavoidable circumstance, students must notify their instructor before class or as soon as possible. Arrangements and accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis.

Studio and Lab Time

Some class periods may be designated specifically for studio time, allowing students to work on assignments and projects during class; allowing for group collaboration, and providing the opportunity to receive assistance and feedback from the instructor. Attendance is mandatory for these class periods and contributes to overall grades.

Given the scale and complexity of assignments, students are required to allocate up to 6 hours or more per week toward lab time. This out-of-class time is used to work on projects and assignments independently or with their group to meet deadlines. It is important to note that out-of-class lab time is required in addition to any studio time designated during class. Some classes may include 1 hour of in-class lab time as part of the course schedule, but this serves as a supplementary resource and does not replace the need for additional out-of-class lab time.

Course Schedule

A tentative course schedule is provided with the syllabus, but it is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion due to project extensions or other modifications. Final exam dates and times may vary from the designated class times. See finals schedule https://utulsa.edu/academics/academic-calendar/finals-schedule/

Modules

Course content is organized into individual modules, each representing a lesson unit or a series of related topics. Each module includes learning objectives, instructions, assignment specifications, and key terms. Generally, assignments are due after completing a module. Remember that modules are not tied to a weekly schedule, so some may take more or less than a week to complete.

Learning Managment System (LMS)

All course materials, including readings, lectures, quizzes, assignments, and resources, will be accessible through our online learning management system (LMS) called Harvey.

All students can access Harvey using their TU login and password at: https://harvey.utulsa.eduAll assignments are submitted

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Course Expectations

Course Expectations outline the key standards and practices students must follow throughout the program. Understanding these expectations will help students navigate course requirements effectively and contribute to their success.

Growth Mindset

To earn a top grade (90% or higher), students must embrace a growth mindset, which involves going above and beyond the requirements, actively engaging in their learning, and continuously seeking improvement. Essential traits of this mindset include:

• Viewing challenges as opportunities: Approach difficulties as chances to grow and learn.
• Acknowledges imperfections: Identify and understand areas for improvement.
• Seeking improvement and asking for help: Proactively seek guidance and support when needed.
• Leveraging learning experiences: Use setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures.
• Welcoming constructive criticism: Accept feedback positively and use it to enhance performance.
• Exceeding expectations: Go beyond the basic requirements to demonstrate commitment and dedication.
• Collaborate and learn from others: Work effectively with peers and gain insights from their perspectives.
• Cultivating a sense of purpose: Maintain a clear focus on personal and academic goals.

By embodying these characteristics, students will not only meet but exceed course expectations, demonstrating a commitment to personal and academic growth.

Collaborative Learning

Collaboration is crucial in industry. Students are required to collaborate with their peers in both in-person and out-of-class activities. Effective collaboration involves demonstrating cooperation, communication, and positivity both during class and through ongoing communication outside of class, ensuring that projects are completed on time and meet high standards.

Students will be assessed based on their individual contributions and peer feedback. Inadequate contribution can result in lower grades and suboptimal project outcomes, underscoring the importance of teamwork in achieving project success.

Course Writing

­­Industry professionals often need to present their ideas through formal and informal documentation, making strong critical thinking and writing skills essential. Throughout our program, students will complete various writing assignments such as design documents, project proposals, and critical reviews that require thorough research, reflection, and clear articulation. Assignments will be evaluated based on content quality, grammar, formatting, and proper citation of all sources.

Presentations and Peer Reviews

Industry professionals will regularly have to give presentations of their work as well as give and take feedback on their work. Similarly, students will deliver one more presentation to their peers. Students will also participate in peer reviews, where they should approach others’ work with respect and tact while being open to constructive criticism of their own. Mastering these presentation and critique skills is crucial for success in pitching ideas and collaborating effectively in the industry.

Use of Commercial Materials

Students are prohibited from using any copyrighted content in their work. This includes but is not limited to, graphics, audio, characters from other media, proprietary code or software, and copyrighted logos. The use of free assets, tools, and open-source libraries is permitted, provided they are properly cited in the project documentation. Additionally, at least 80% of any assignment or project must be original work created by the students.

All Viewing Audiences

All materials produced for this course must be appropriate for viewing audiences of all ages and MUST NOT contain any offensive language, graphic content, or suggestive themes (ex. sex, drugs, and alcohol). Students should obtain instructor approval for any content that may be questionable. Assignments that do not adhere to these guidelines will NOT be graded.

Course Evaluations

Evaluations provide students with a valuable opportunity to offer feedback on their instructor and the course. In addition to noting any areas for improvement, students are encouraged to share what they enjoyed and found helpful. This balanced feedback helps instructors understand what is working well and where adjustments may be needed, ultimately contributing to a better learning experience for everyone. All evaluations are completely anonymous, ensuring that feedback can be given openly and candidly.

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Assignment Details

Students should adhere to the following procedures and guidelines to ensure assignments are completed on time and submitted properly.

Assignment Submission & Late Work

Unless otherwise stated, all assignments must be submitted via Harvey and received by the due date and time.

Late submissions WILL NOT BE GRADED and will result in a zero.

All exams must be taken at the scheduled date and time; NO MAKEUP EXAMS will be offered.

Assignment and Asset Naming

Proper file naming conventions are crucial in game development and other large-scale projects to maintain organization and efficiency. Clear and consistent file names help ensure that all team members can easily identify, access, and manage assets, reducing confusion and potential errors.

Students should adhere to the following file-naming practices unless instructed otherwise:

• Dates: Use YYYY-MM-DD format and place before descriptive names when specified.
• PascalCase: Capitalize the first letter of each word.
• Descriptive Names: Be clear and avoid ambiguous abbreviations; typically consist of the student’s last name and the project title.
• No Spaces: Use hyphens and underscores instead.
• Versioning: Include as _vX, where X is the version number.
• Follow naming conventions specified for each assignment, as they may vary.

Using the rules above, a student with the name Student submitting their second version of the Park Game assignment would use the following format: 2024-09-15_Dent_ParkGame_v2.zip

Assignment files that are incorrectly named run the risk of not being graded. Ensure that all files have been correctly named before submission.

Project Files and Github

Many of the applications used in this program generate projects as a set of files within a folder, not as single files. Students must submit the entire project folder as a compressed zip file before submitting it online.

GitHub and GitHub Classroom will be utilized extensively for version control, collaboration, and project submission. Students are required to follow the provided instructions for using these tools. Improper use of GitHub and GitHub Classroom may result in failed project submissions, which will NOT be graded.

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Grading and Evaluation

The grading and evaluation of student work in this course follow a unique, gamified system designed to encourage engagement, creativity, and mastery.

Grading System – Experience Points (XP)

All courses are graded using a point-based system, with all grades contributing to a total number of course points. Grade points are represented as experience points (XP), like leveling up in video games. To earn a letter grade of “A,” students must achieve at least 90% of the total course points.

Grades are NOT based solely on effort and completion but on the quality, depth, and creativity of the work submitted. All grade points are given based on evaluation against clearly defined objectives and course concepts. Simply completing an assignment is not enough; the product must also be intuitive and meet the user experience goals outlined in the assignment.

Grading Categories

Course points are distributed across categories representing a unique learning and skill development aspect. Just like with game characters developing new abilities, students earn XP towards each of these categories:

Level-Up Ranks

The course grading scale uses a level rank system like those found in games. All students start with zero XP (i.e. no grades) and accumulate XP throughout the semester, leveling up in the ranks.

Grade Tracking

Students can keep track of due dates, view graded assignments, and receive instructor feedback in Harvey. However, the accumulated grade displayed in Harvey may not always be accurate. Students should keep track of their own XP and progress based on grade points and total course points.

Mid-Term and Final Grades

Mid-term and final grades will be posted on Self-Service after all evaluations. Mid-term grades will be available after Week 8. Students with averages below 70% should meet with the instructor for improvement strategies. Final grades will be posted on the Wednesday after the semester ends.

Confidential grade information will not be given via email or phone. See Self-Service for grade updates.

Showcasing Student Work

At the Tandy School of Computer Science, we proudly celebrate the achievements of our students by featuring their work and accomplishments across various media platforms. These include social media, websites, video streams, brochures, and more.

Student Media Consent

To effectively promote our programs, we request students’ permission to use their photos and likenesses in these materials, helping to raise public awareness of the Tandy School of Computer Science.

Use of Student Work

Students enrolled at the University of Tulsa (TU) are granted a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right and license to reproduce, promote, and publicly or privately display, distribute, or perform the student’s work.

Additionally, we ask that all students are asked to complete the Media & Student Work Release form, which is located here:

See our Projects page for recent student projects.

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Student Advisement and Faculty Advisors

Faculty Advisors are the primary source of academic guidance for students within their specific program. They possess in-depth knowledge of program pathways, course content, and career opportunities, allowing them to provide curated advice tailored to each student’s skills, interests, and long-term goals. Students should prioritize meetings with their Faculty Advisors for program-specific questions, course selection, and career planning. Faculty Advisors play a critical role in helping students stay on track academically and make informed decisions about their future.

In addition, all students have a Student Success Coach, who provides broader support resources and provides guidance across disciplines. While they assist with general academic advising and can connect students with campus resources, Success Coaches may not have the specialized knowledge of program nuances. For this reason, students are encouraged to consult their Faculty Advisor before meeting with a Success Coach, especially when planning enrollment or making important academic decisions.

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Course and University Polices

To succeed in courses within the Tandy School of Computer Science, students must adhere to the course and classroom policies outlined below. Additionally, all University of Tulsa students are expected to follow the university’s policies and procedures. Compliance with these guidelines fosters a productive learning environment and supports academic achievement.

Contacting Your Instructor

The best way to contact your instructor about any course or assignment-related questions is to email them.
When sending an email to an instructor, include the following:

1. Your full first and last name and student ID number
2. Include the original message (thread) that you are responding to (if applicable).  There is a setting in your e-mail that you can check to always include the past message.
3. Use your TU e-mail account (@utulsa.edu).  Some non-TU e-mail addresses may get stuck in the SPAM filter and will not make it to the intended receiver.
4. If writing about a class be sure to include the semester, prefix, number, and section number
   (Example: Fall 2017, CS 3863-02).

If contacting an instructor through external messaging tools (e.g., Discord), follow a similar format. Include your full name and specify the course you are inquiring about using the format: semester, course prefix, number, and section.

Student Absences

Attendance and participation in courses are required to optimize the educational benefits for all students.  An excused absence may be granted in the case of a contagious illness or family emergency.  Notification of absence must be directed to the instructor through personal communication, voice mail, or email as early as possible. Students are responsible for obtaining materials and notes missed during an excused absence and must complete all assignments by their assigned due date.

Students with an unexcused absence of three or more days during the semester will risk being dropped a letter grade.

Students are also required to be punctual and on time for class. Being a few minutes late is understandable, but anything over 15 minutes will result in a deduction of attendance points.

ONLINE COURSES **

Students in online courses are also required to participate in online activities and discussions. Attendance for online courses is recorded by students logging into Harvey a minimum of twice a week. Students in online courses must complete all assignments and activities by their designated due dates.

Failure To Withdraw Policy

If you wish to withdraw from the course, you must fill out the necessary forms. Failure to follow through could result in a grade of F for the course in accordance with university policy.

Student Competency Clause

A student may be asked by the course instructor to demonstrate a level of competency that is consistent with any work completed by the student. It is possible to receive no credit for that work if a student is unable to demonstrate an acceptable level of competency.

Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct

Academic dishonesty, including fraudulent misrepresentation to gain undeserved credit, is not tolerated at Tulsa University. Violations may result in a zero on the assignment, a failing course grade, or dismissal from the university. Misuse of computing facilities, such as accessing non-academic content, copyright infringement, or malicious activities, also constitutes academic misconduct.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is presenting another person’s ideas, sentences, or words as your own. This includes copying someone else’s work, having someone else do your work, or closely following another’s work for ideas and expression. Plagiarism is considered academic misconduct and will be penalized severely.

While collaboration is encouraged, students must not share copies of their code for programming assignments. Any violation will NOT be tolerated, resulting in a failing grade for the course, and will be reported to the Associate Dean of ENS as per college policy.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.)  will likely be a significant part of students’ professional life by the time of graduation. As such it is important for students to develop best practices for using AI in a professional context. The following lists are a sample of acceptable and unacceptable use cases.

Acceptable use of AI tools:

• Brainstorming and conceptualizing ideas
• Troubleshooting bugs
• Check and refine syntax (i.e., in writing and programming) 

Unacceptable use of AI tools:

• Completing entire assignments
• Resource gathering (AI will cite made-up sources)
• Asset development

Note: This is not a campus-wide policy and only applies to this course. This policy may change, with prior notice, to reflect developments in the technology and any usage that impacts the course curriculum and objectives.

Professionalism and Classroom Policies

To ensure a productive learning environment, students must adhere to professional standards and classroom policies. Unprofessional behavior or policy violations may result in no credit for assignments, failing the course, or dismissal from the university.

Professional Behavior

• APPEARANCE: Maintain professional attire, good hygiene, and poise. Business casual is required for formal events and presentations.
• COLLABORATION: Work effectively with team members, adapt to different roles, respect others, and communicate to resolve problems.
• COMMUNICATION: Speak clearly, write legibly, listen actively, and adjust communication to the situation.
• ETHICAL CONDUCT: Submit original work, cite references, and avoid dishonesty or plagiarism.
• INTEGRITY: Be honest, quickly correct mistakes, and handle property and confidential information with trust.
• PARTICIPATION: Engage actively in class, volunteer, ask questions, and summarize content.
• PREPAREDNESS: Bring necessary materials (e.g. textbooks, pencils) to every class.
• RESPECT: Be polite, avoid derogatory language, appreciate diversity, and maintain professional behavior.
• SELF-CONFIDENCE: Trust your judgment, recognize strengths and limitations, and exercise good judgment.
• SELF-MOTIVATION: Take initiative, complete tasks without supervision, and show enthusiasm for learning.
• TIME MANAGEMENT: Complete tasks and assignments on time and utilize class time effectively.

Classroom Environment

All classroom policies are in place to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Violating any classroom policies may result in but is not limited to, no credit for an assignment, a failing grade for the course, or dismissal from the university. These policies include, but are not limited to the following:

• Positive Learning Environment: Maintain a positive and respectful atmosphere; unprofessional behavior, such as foul language or inappropriate actions, will not be tolerated.
• Food and Drink are NOT allowed in the classroom.
• Electronic Devices: Turn off or set phones to vibrate before class. Texting during class is prohibited.
• Classroom Conduct: Avoid leaving and re-entering the room during lectures, quizzes, or exams.
• Technology Use: No outside software installations are allowed. Handle classroom equipment with care—void forceful touch on LCD monitors or aggressive keystrokes. Log off computers at the end of each class.
• Internet Use: Browsing inappropriate or explicit material on university computers is prohibited.
  Adhere to the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy https://utulsa.policystat.com/policy/14338681/latest/

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Student Safety

The safety and well-being of our students are a top priority at the University of Tulsa. This section outlines the policies and available resources related to student safety, including guidelines for maintaining a safe working environment, reporting concerns, and accessing support services. All students are expected to familiarize themselves with these policies and to contribute to a respectful and secure learning community.

Safe UTulsa and Campus Security

Safe UTulsa app is the fastest way to connect directly to UTulsa Security for emergency issues (life-threatening) and nonemergency assistance (such as lockouts). The app also will notify you of potential hazards, such as storms, and help guide you to safety. TU students are encouraged to download the app at: https://utulsa.apparmor.com/clients/utulsa.edu/index.html

Campus Safety and Security Measures

Campus Security is available 24/7 to address emergencies and maintain the safety and well-being of the campus community. For immediate assistance in any emergency, please contact TU Security by dialing 918-631-5555, accessible from both campus phones and cell phones.

Blue Light Emergency Phones
Blue light emergency phones are strategically placed across the UTulsa campus for rapid access to Campus Safety and Security. These phones are located in various points, including parking lots, walkways, roadways, outside classroom buildings, residence halls, and selected indoor areas. Marked with distinctive blue lights, these phones ensure constant visibility, allowing Campus Safety and Security to quickly locate callers and dispatch officers as needed.

Interpersonal Violence

Title IX:  Sexual misconduct is prohibited by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) and will not be tolerated within the TU community.  Sexual misconduct encompasses all forms of sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment, violence, and assault, as well as dating violence, domestic violence, interpersonal violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation.  If you or someone you know has been harassed, assaulted, or stalked, or if you have questions about violence prevention resources available to you, please contact any of the following campus and community resources:

• Title IX Coordinator | 918-631-4602
• Office of Violence Prevention | 918-631-2324
• TU Counseling and Psychological Services | 918- 631-2241
• Campus Security | 918-631-5555
• Domestic Violence Intervention Services | 918-631-2965 or 918-743-5763
• Tulsa Police Department | 918-596-9222 or 911 (emergencies)

For more information about your rights under Title IX, please visit our Policies and Laws page https://utulsa.edu/sexual-violence-prevention-education/policies-laws/  on the TU website or contact the Title IX Coordinator.  Every student on our campus has the right to resources. Please come forward and ask questions, report, and help us eradicate sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence by stopping the silence surrounding it.

Health and Safety

Oklahoma State Law requires all students who attend Oklahoma colleges and universities to provide proof of immunization. Please visit the CDC website for information on Hepatitis B, MMR, and Meningitis vaccinations.

TU encourages all students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza to protect themselves and their community. Vaccination is safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death.

Exposure to a Respiratory virus

Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses are encouraged to stay home and away from others.  These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. Treatment is available for COVID-19 and influenza, which can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.

Students can return to class and normal activities after at least 24 hours of their symptoms improving overall, and they have not had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends that individuals recovering from illness take additional precautions for the next 5 days to combat the spread of disease. Additionally, the CDC recommends following the strategies below to lower the risk of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. For detailed information on CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/

Absence Due to Illness

Students are asked to contact their professors to make arrangements to complete their classwork during their self-isolation. If you need assistance, please contact Student Access at studentaccess@utulsa.edu.

Emergency Procedures

The procedures outlined below are designed to deal with emergencies of various types. Students should always follow the lead of their instructors.

FIRE

If the fire alarm sounds, students should gather their belongings and exit the building using the nearest exit, moving away from the building. DO NOT use elevators. No alarm should be treated as a false alarm.

MEDICAL

In the event of a medical emergency, 911 will be called, followed by a call to campus security, making them aware of the situation. Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

SEVERE WEATHER

In the event of severe weather, listen for city sirens. An announcement will also be made through one of TU’s emergency notification systems.

Tornado warning: students should gather their belongings and move immediately to the Severe Weather Area or a basement, ground floor hallway, or inside an interior room such as a restroom until the warning is lifted. Stay away from windows.

Flood: if flooding is in and around the TU area, remain in a sheltered area till the media indicates the floodwaters have receded before attempting to drive through the indicated flooded areas.

Winter Weather: A University weather advisory will be issued when weather conditions are such that some may have trouble getting to and from the University and/or classes. University closure will be declared when weather conditions are such that it would be very unsafe for students or employees to attempt to go to work or class.

DISTURBANCE / THREATS

If someone is causing a disturbance in the classroom, contact Campus Safety and Security immediately for assistance. For major disturbance or violence, dial 911 to request a response from city police, ambulance, and/or fire services as needed. Ensure that you leave the area promptly to maintain your safety.

Explosive devices can be concealed in various ways, including within vehicles, packages, or hidden in public areas. If you encounter any suspicious package or object, report it immediately to Campus Safety and Security. Do not touch or move the item. Instead, evacuate the area right away and avoid using a cell phone nearby to prevent accidental detonation.

In the event of an active shooter, students, faculty, and staff are to follow the Run, Hide, Fight procedures.

For more information, visit https://utulsa.edu/about/offices/utulsa-security/emergency-preparedness/