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Course Policies

Attendance & Participation Policy

1. Policy Rationale

Success in "Technical Foundations of Generative AI" requires consistent engagement and active participation. This course is designed as a hands-on, collaborative workshop. In-class sessions are not lectures but opportunities to build, troubleshoot, and learn from your peers. Your presence is therefore critical not only for your own learning but also for the learning of your project team and the class as a whole. This policy is intended to reflect the professional standard of accountability expected in the workplace.

2. Attendance Requirement

A minimum attendance rate of 80% is required to pass this course. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the final course grade being lowered by one full letter grade (e.g., from a B+ to a C+).

3. Definition of an Absence

Any instance of missing a scheduled class for any reason will be recorded as an absence. However, a distinction is made for documented, extenuating circumstances.

  • Extenuating Circumstances (Excused): These are serious, unavoidable events that prevent attendance and will not count toward the 80% threshold. They are limited to:

    • Documented medical emergencies or significant illness.
    • A death in the immediate family.
    • University-sanctioned activities (e.g., athletic competitions, academic conferences) with prior official notification.
    • Recognized religious observances.

  • Non-Extenuating Circumstances (Unexcused): These absences, even when communicated in advance, will be counted as an absence and apply toward the 80% threshold. Examples include, but are not limited to:

    • Job interviews or work-related commitments.
    • Personal travel or family vacations.
    • Appointments that could be scheduled outside of class time.
    • Minor illnesses without medical documentation.

4. Notification Procedure

  • For any absence, students are expected to notify the instructor via email prior to the start of class as a matter of professional courtesy.
  • To have an absence classified as an "Extenuating Circumstance," official documentation (e.g., a note from a medical professional, a university notice) must be provided to the instructor within one week of the absence.

5. Tardiness

Arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving more than 10 minutes before the class concludes is disruptive to the learning environment. Every three instances of tardiness or early departure will be recorded as one unexcused absence.

University Policies

Your Well-being Matters

College/Graduate school can be an exciting and challenging time for students. Taking time to maintain your well-being and seek appropriate support can help you achieve your goals and lead a fulfilling life. It can be helpful to remember that we all benefit from assistance and guidance at times, and there are many resources available to support your well-being while you are at Pitt. You are encouraged to visit Thrive@Pitt to learn more about well-being and the many campus resources available to help you thrive.

If you or anyone you know experiences overwhelming academic stress, persistent difficult feelings and/or challenging life events, you are strongly encouraged to seek support. In addition to reaching out to friends and loved ones, consider connecting with a faculty member you trust for assistance connecting to helpful resources.

The University Counseling Center is also here for you. You can call 412-648-7930 at any time to connect with a clinician. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please call the University Counseling Center at any time at 412-648-7930. You can also contact Resolve Crisis Network at 888-796-8226. If the situation is life threatening, call Pitt Police at 412-624-2121 or dial 911.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Pittsburgh does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on disability, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or gender identity or other factors as stated in the University’s Title IX policy. The University is committed to taking prompt action to end a hostile environment that interferes with the University’s mission. For more information about policies, procedures, and practices, visit the Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance web page.

I ask that everyone in the class strive to help ensure that other members of this class can learn in a supportive and respectful environment. If there are instances of the aforementioned issues, please contact the Title IX Coordinator , by calling 412-648-7860, or e-mailing titleixcoordinator@pitt.edu. Reports can also be filed online. You may also choose to report this to a faculty/staff member; they are required to communicate this to the University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. If you wish to maintain complete confidentiality, you may also contact the University Counseling Center (412-648-7930).

Disability Services

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services (DRS), 140 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890, drsrecep@pitt.edu, (412) 228-5347 for P3 ASL users, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.

Academic Integrity

Students in this course will be expected to comply with the University of Pittsburgh’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Any student suspected of violating this obligation for any reason during the semester will be required to participate in the procedural process, initiated at the instructor level, as outlined in the University Guidelines on Academic Integrity. This may include, but is not limited to, the confiscation of the examination of any individual suspected of violating University Policy. Furthermore, no student may bring any unauthorized materials to an exam, including dictionaries and programmable calculators.

To learn more about Academic Integrity, visit the Academic Integrity Guide for an overview of the topic. For hands-on practice, complete the Academic Integrity Modules.