Grading Scale

At the discretion of the instructor, a weighted average across graded components may be calculated at the end of the course to determine the final grade earned. The standard Northeastern University grading system, with numeric GPA and the final letter grade correspondence, is as follows:

Grading Scale


Grade	Range	GPA
A	100-93.0%	4.000
A-	93.9-90%	3.667
B+	89.9-87%	3.333
B	86.9-83%	3.000
B-	82.9-80%	2.667
C+	79.9-77%	2.333
C	76.9-73%	2.000
C-	72.9-70%	1.667
F	Below 69.9%	0.000

Please note that the calculated percentage that you see in Canvas may not correspond to the final letter grade you have earned. The final grade earned will be located in the official Northeastern Student Hub.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting assignments by posted deadlines. Deductions will be automatically applied to late submissions based on the time elapsed after the deadline:

10% deduction within 24 hours
25% deduction within 24-48 hours
50% deduction within 48-72 hours
Zero credit if submitted more than 72 hours after the deadline

Exceptions to the late policy will be considered only in the event of an approved extension request.

Important: There are no exceptions or extensions for the final week project/assignment deadlines in a course. They must be turned in by the deadline to receive a grade, due to the nature of the final grade entry deadlines enforced by Northeastern University.

Extension Request Policy

Students should only request an extension in the event of an emergency or other extenuating circumstance that impacts academic progress. To make an extension request, students should submit the Extension Request Form and include a detailed explanation of the emergency or extenuating circumstance and how much additional time is being requested. When foreseeable, requests should occur before the assignment deadline. Requests received more than 24 hours after the deadline will not be considered. Extension requests will be considered by the faculty member on a case-by-case basis. If approved by the faculty member, it is at the discretion of the faculty member to determine the extended deadline and any associated penalties.

Extension Request Monitoring and Accountability

The program team tracks and monitors all extension requests. Repeated requests for extensions across multiple courses may raise concerns regarding a student's overall academic progress and time management skills. Such patterns will be reviewed, and interventions may be implemented to provide support and address underlying issues. Students are encouraged to manage their time effectively and seek help proactively to avoid frequent extension requests.

Course Communication and Support

We have established three official communication channels.

Course Announcements: For time sensitive updates from the teaching team.
Discussions QA Forum: For questions about access, content, or assignments from students to the teaching team.
onlineta@northeastern.edu for private inquiries. When doing so, make sure to include the subject/number of the course, so it is routed as quickly as possible.
Extensions should be handled using the process outlined in the syllabus.

Adherence to communication guidelines is vital for fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment. Please maintain a respectful tone in all interactions, utilize official channels exclusively, and exercise patience as our support staff ensures accurate and comprehensive responses.

There are many people who will support you throughout your time at Northeastern. Within this course you will have faculty, teaching assistants (TA), and a success manager. Their commitment is to provide you with unwavering support, ensuring your success both inside and outside the academic realm at Northeastern.

For more information on the types of questions suitable for each channel, communication guidelines, and the roles and responsibilities of the course team, please visit the Course Communication and Support page.

To access 24-hour Canvas support, click on the Help icon in the Canvas menu (the menu in black and red) and on the far left of any Canvas screen. For more detailed information regarding course navigation, please review the program onboarding course.

Sync Canvas Calendar

Please sync your Canvas calendar with your other calendars at this point. If you need instructions on how to sync calendars, refer to the instructions below.

Instructions to Sync Calendar

There are two steps to sync the Canvas calendar to another calendar.

Get the Canvas Calendar feed link from Canvas
Add that feed link into your work/personal calendar.

Both steps are outlined in more detail below.

Get the calendar feed link from Canvas

Instructions from Canvas Student Guide:

Click on the calendar icon in the far left navigation bar in Canvas
Click on “Calendar Feed” which you will see under the smaller calendar that opens on the right hand side.
Copy the url from the Calendar feed

Add the Canvas calendar feed link to your calendar:

Add to Office 365/Outlook calendar:

Go to Office 365 and open up Calendar
In the left-hand navigation, click “Add Calendar”
Click on “subscribe from web”
Paste in the url you copied from Canvas
Click “Import”
You can specify name, color and charm/icon for this calendar

Add to Google Calendar:

Open up Google calendar
In the left-hand navigation, click the + found next to “Other Calendars”
Click “from url”
Paste in the url you copied from Canvas
Click “Add Calendar”
To rename the calendar
- Click on the name of the new calendar that was created
- Choose the 3 dots that appear
- Click “Settings”
- Type in a new name in the “Name” box
- Refresh screen

Note: If your calendar is in “week” view, many of your assignment due dates will appear at the very bottom of the calendar screen because they are often set to 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). You will have to scroll to see them.

Live Sessions

Distinctly different from lecture-style synchronous sessions, Northeastern University focuses on offering you unique opportunities to interact with academic, industry, and thought leaders in your field, which cultivates your virtual community and expands your professional network. There are three types of live sessions to look forward to throughout the course: Faculty Connect Sessions, Faculty Office Hours, and TA Office Hours.

Faculty Connect:

Faculty Connect Sessions are scheduled virtual meetings that give you the opportunity to interact with faculty and peers to build a virtual community. These sessions are designed to offer a deeper understanding of the subject matter and bring clarity to project requirements. Please note, these sessions are not traditional lectures and while not required are heavily encouraged for students to attend to boost comprehension of module content.

Office Hours:

Every week, instructors and teaching assistants will have dedicated scheduled office hours — a virtual open door that gives you the ability to connect directly with them in a meeting. You are encouraged to submit questions in advance of the session to allow the faculty time to prepare responses.

The live session recordings will be posted every week for your review. The live session recordings will be posted every week for your review. Click on the Faculty Connect button on the home page.

Here are some useful resources:

Live Session Participation Expectations:

Refer to the Live Session Participation Guidelines to learn how to actively engage with faculty and fellow students during live sessions, enhancing your overall learning experience.

Live Session Participation Guidelines: Fostering a Collaborative Learning Environment

Live sessions are integral to your academic journey, providing in-depth exploration of course material and fostering connections with instructors and peers. To maximize your learning experience, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Preparation:

Pre-engage with the material: Review assigned readings and course content and prepare questions to facilitate your understanding. Active engagement leads to a more enriching session.
Technical readiness: Ensure your computer, internet connection, and required software are up-to-date to avoid technical disruptions.
Minimize distractions: Choose a quiet and well-lit environment to maximize focus and attentiveness.
Join prior to the start time: This allows for quick audio/video tests and troubleshooting of any unexpected technical issues.
Technical assistance: Should you encounter difficulties accessing the live session, promptly notify the TA team for immediate support.

Professionalism:

Active participation: Utilize both video and audio to actively participate in class activities. Raise your hand virtually when seeking to contribute in situations with multiple students speaking.
Respectful communication: Maintain respectful and professional online etiquette, similar to a workplace setting. Be open to constructive feedback and engage in meaningful discourse.
Appropriate attire: Dress professionally, reflecting the significance of live sessions as interactive learning spaces.

Engagement:

Maximize attendance: Strive to attend all live sessions to fully benefit from the interactive format. If unavoidable circumstances prevent your attendance, review the recorded session promptly.
Active participation: Be an active participant in group activities and discussions. Your contributions enrich the learning experience for everyone.

By following these guidelines, you contribute to a positive and engaging learning environment for yourself and your fellow students. Remember, live sessions are an invaluable opportunity to deepen your understanding, broaden your perspective, and connect with your academic community.

Office Hours Guideline:

Refer to the Office Hours Guideline for Students for frequently asked questions and answers regarding office hours and learn about the program's expectations.

Office Hours Guideline for Students

These guidelines aim to create a productive and respectful environment during office hours, where students, professors and Teaching Assistants can work together effectively to enhance the learning experience. Your proactive participation and adherence to these guidelines will contribute to a more successful learning journey.

Q1: I have questions about assignments. Where is the best place to ask these questions?

The discussion forum in your course offers opportunities to engage with your peers in discussions around weekly themes and topics. If you have specific questions that are not addressed in the discussion forum, the best places to ask questions about assignments are during Faculty Office Hours or TA Office hours.

Q2: How can I participate in office hours?

Please visit the Zoom Meetings link in the main navigation.

Q3: What steps should I take prior to attending an Office Hour Session?

Before joining an office hour session, it is essential for students to adequately prepare. This involves:

Reviewing course materials such as lectures, project requirements, readings, and relevant resources.
Familiarizing themselves with required materials, case scenarios, assignment rubrics, and any existing answers on the discussion board.

Q4: What should I anticipate when seeking homework and assignment assistance during office hours?

To make the most of this assistance, please be prepared to share your work and articulate where you are facing challenges with specific questions or concerns in the assignment.

Q5: What strategies can I use to make the most of the limited time available during office hours?

It is crucial to acknowledge that office hours are often constrained by time limitations. To maximize the efficiency of your interaction, you are expected to

understand and respect the time constraints
log in online promptly at the scheduled time
come with a clear agenda and well-defined, specific questions
consider checking the course discussion board for common queries first
avoid asking questions that have already been addressed

Q6: What is the recommended approach for interacting with the instructor or TA during office hours?

Office hour sessions are student-driven, and students are expected to:

During discussions, listen attentively and take notes, if necessary.
Actively engage in conversations by asking follow-up questions and seeking clarification to ensure a comprehensive understanding.
Display mutual respect and maintain a professional attitude when interacting with the instructor or TA.
Whenever possible, turn on your camera. This visual connection enhances communication and fosters a more personalized and engaging learning experience.

Course Tools

Canvas

Canvas is where academic discussions (if applicable) will take place and where course assignments are submitted.

To access 24-hour Canvas support, click on the Help icon in the menu (in black and red) and on the far left of any Canvas screen. Below are some guides you might find useful as you progress through the course.

Canvas Student Guides: This page contains a list of all the student help guides.
Question and Answer Discussion: Use this discussion for all course related questions. Access this discussion from the button on the homepage or the left navigation menu.

Zoom

The Faculty Connect Live Sessions and Office Hours will be conducted using this synchronous meeting tool. This provides you with opportunities for face-to-face interactions with faculty, peers, and industry professionals.

Your faculty may also incorporate the following in your Zoom Faculty Connect Live Sessions:

Breakout rooms may provide opportunities for teamwork and problem solving
Polling may be used as knowledge checks or to help your faculty determine how well students are comprehending the course material

Special Accommodations/ADA

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA 1990), Northeastern University seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities. If you will need accommodations in this class, please contact Disability Access Services as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements, and please provide the course instructors with any necessary documentation. The University requires that you provide documentation of your disabilities to the DRC so that they may identify what accommodations are required, and arrange with the instructor to provide those on your behalf, as needed.

Note on Digital Accessibility for Mathematical Equations

Some courses contain mathematical equations that are integral to the content and learning experience. If you rely on a screen reader due to visual disabilities, you may need to install or activate MathCAT to ensure the equations are accessible.

Attached below are detailed instructions for installing or activating the MathCAT addon, tailored for use with the JAWS and NVDA screen readers. Please review the instructions and set up MathCAT as soon as possible to ensure seamless access to course materials.

If you encounter any issues or have questions about the setup process, do not hesitate to reach out for support to course staff, or for more general information, consult Northeastern’s Disability Access Services.

Academic Integrity and the Use of AI

All students must adhere to the university’s Academic Integrity Policy, which is available on the website of the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR). It is your responsibility, as the learner, to know these policies.

Please be particularly aware of the policy regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism involves representing anyone else’s words or ideas as your own. It doesn’t matter where you got these ideas—from a printed article or book, on the web, AI Chat, and related tools. In any of these cases, you must cite clearly and specifically the origin of this content.

Please consult an instructor if you have any confusion or concerns when preparing any of the assignments. You can also consult the Avoiding Plagiarism guide on the Northeastern University Library Website. If an academic integrity concern arises, one of the instructors will speak with you about it; if the discussion does not resolve the concern, we will refer the matter to OSCCR.

AI is an important part of the innovation landscape. We encourage you to use such tools when appropriate, but in no case, can you allow an AI Chatbot or related tool to do your writing for you, whether it is for an individual assignment or a group project. If you use AI tools of any kind, cite them appropriately.

All learners will be asked to complete an academic integrity & AI attestation at the beginning of the course in order to access weekly module content.

Northeastern University Copyright Statement

This course material is copyrighted and all rights are reserved by Northeastern University. No part of this course material may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the express prior written permission of the University.

Technology Privacy and Accessibility Statements

This course integrates technology from additional vendors in addition to Instructure's Canvas Learning Management System. If you would like to read vendor privacy and accessibility statements, you may do so below:

Privacy Statements

Accessibility Statements