Labs


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about lab sessions:

CSE 142 is a 4-credit course, and with only one 50-minute section per week, we don't get much time to practice and reinforce the material we have learned each week. To address this, we have created an optional 1-credit lab called CSE 190 to accompany CSE 142. In the 190 lab, every Tuesday you go to a computer lab in Mary Gates Hall and work on CSE 142 problems at a computer for 80 minutes each week. 190 will be a way for students to get extra practice and become more comfortable with 142's material, to help them do better on the homeworks and exams and generally perform well in CSE 142.

There is no "homework" from 190, and it is graded strictly as CR/NC pass/fail. You get the marks by showing up and working on the problems. TAs from our course will be there helping everyone and answering questions. It will be a relaxed atmosphere open to asking questions, working together, etc.

The labs take place on Tuesdays at various times. Below is the link to the University time schedule with more info about the times/places. Our sessions are CSE 190 sections "G" through "L" (not section "A", "B", etc., which are different seminars).


Q: How do I enroll in the lab?
A: You can enroll online through the usual UW electronic systems. If the lab is full and you want to ask about getting on a waiting list, contact our course coordinator, Pim Lustig, at pl. We may not have space for everyone depending on the demand.
Q: Can I please add the lab to my UW schedule, even though I have a course conflict that would cause me to miss the first/last 20 minutes of it?
A: Sorry, no. We can't add you to the lab or give you credit for it if you have another course at the same time, even if it's only a partial conflict.
Q: Can I just come and sit in on the lab, even if I'm not registered for it?
A: Yes, if there is a free seat available. If a particular lab session is already full, there may not be any seats, but you are welcome to show up and check. You might be able to work along if you brought your own laptop.
Q: If I'm not enrolled in the lab, can I work on the lab exercises on my own at home?
A: Yes, certainly. We won't grade your work, but you can look at the problems and try to solve them on your own.
Q: Do I have to finish all of the lab exercises?
A: No. Just work on as many problems as you can finish during the lab session.
Q: Can I bring my own laptop to the lab sessions?
A: Yes, certainly. Though if you have a problem setting up your laptop, we can't promise that we'll be able to help you. You might have to fall back to using a lab machine if you can't get yours to work.
Q: Can I still get credit for the lab, even if I drop CSE 142 (or am not enrolled in CSE 142 this quarter)?
A: No. Students who are enrolled in the lab but are not enrolled in CSE 142 at the end of the quarter will be given a grade of "NC" (no credit) for the lab.