Logistics
Last updated: Fri, 30 Aug 2024 14:26:53 -0400
This page lists the websites and tools we’ll use in the course.
1 Web Browser
This website you are reading is the primary course website.
It occasionally uses math notation, which requires a JS math library (MathJax) to render. Thus, to view the course content, you will need a modern web browser with JavaScript enabled.
If you can see the following, you’re all set: \mathcal{CS}{\large 450}
2 Blackboard
Here is the link to UMB’s Blackboard page.
For security, Zoom links for this course are only available via Blackboard. Make sure to select the page for "section 2" (or "CS 450 P 1 02") (section 1 is a separate course with incompatible material).
Otherwise, Blackboard will only be used sporadically. (Canvas, the eventual Blackboard alternative, will not be used.)
3 Discussion Board
We will primarily use Piazza to communicate outside of lecture.
All homework questions must be asked on Piazza. Do not email the course staff about homework.
Use a private post if you are unsure the question is suitable for the public. (The course staff reserves the right to change the visibility of all posts to public when it would benefit other students.)
4 Gradescope
Here is the Gradescope page for this course.
Homework and quizzes are submitted and graded via Gradescope.
See also Homework Submission Policy.
5 Zoom
Office hours will sometimes use Zoom.
For security reasons, the University requires accessing Zoom rooms via Blackboard.
6 Google Apps
I’ll occasionally use UMB’s Google Apps Suite to administer surveys.
These may be accessed by entering your full umb.edu email into the Google sign-in box. (You may need to sign out of other accounts first, or open the link in an incognito window.)
7 Racket
This course will use the Racket programming language (version 8.10 or later) for assignments.
Download: Racket installers are available for most platforms.
IDE: It will likely be easiest to use the DrRacket IDE, but several other editors have Racket support as well.
Resources: In addition to the Textbook, the Racket Documentation will be a helpful resource this semester.
Style: All Racket code should be formatted according to The Racket Style Guide.
More info is available on the Racket Basics and Style page.
See Homework 0 for more details about how to set up Racket.
8 GitHub
This course will use GitHub to store and submit homework files. So you’ll want to make sure to create an account and know how to execute basic commands.
See Homework 0 for more details.