FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q: When does the course close?
A: The course closes on October 6, 2020. All work must be completed by this date.
Q: When are assignments due?
A: The course is self-paced, and there are no specific assignment deadlines. Learners hoping to earn a verified certificate must earn a passing grade by the official course end date.
Q: What is the Technology Library for?
A: In Section 2, you will be asked to select a technology seed. You will use this technology in assignments to practice the various problem-solving methodologies introduced in the course.
To select your technology, you can choose from the following options:
- A curated library of technologies provided in the course
- A technology that you have developed
- A technology that you have an existing interest in
Q: Are there any restrictions around using my own technology?
A: No, the technology selection is up to you. For our purposes, we're interested in how you apply the skills and methodologies of the course. The technology should be meaningful/interesting to you, as you are the person who will be working with it throughout the course.
Q: Why can't I access all of the course materials?
A: The capstone assignment is available only to learners who have purchased a verified certificate. Locked content is marked with a lock icon, as shown to the right. Click the image to see a full-sized version. If you are using screen reader software, you will hear "Content available only to verified-track learners."
When you see this icon, it indicates there are one or more graded assignments on this page. Verified learners will be able to see and complete these assignments, which will count toward their certificate of completion.
In addition, audit learners will lose access to the course after a certain number of weeks. The length of time varies by course, and is noted on the course signup page at edX.org. This time is counted from when you enroll or from when the course begins, whichever is later. Verified learners retain course access indefinitely.
If you have questions, please use the Contact Us link here or at the bottom of the page.
Q: What grade do I need to earn in order to pass the course?
A: To pass the course, learners must earn a 50% or higher.
Q: How do I view my grade?
A: A summary of your performance in the course is available via the "Progress" tab.
Q: I am doing well on the assessments, but when I look under "Progress," I have a low grade. Why?
A: Your grade is calculated based on ALL of the assessments in the course, meaning those you have completed and those you have not yet completed. (EdX says you have a "zero" on those assessments until you have attempted them.) You will see your overall grade improve as you progress through the course.
Q: Is participating in discussion required?
A: No, all discussion opportunities are optional.
Q: Are there any required readings?
A: Readings are optional. If the reading is an open-access resource, then a link is provided. If the reading is not open access, then a citation/source is provided.
Q: How do I contact the course team?
A: Questions about the course should be submitted via the course discussion boards using the "+General" category.
Q: How do I earn a verified certificate?
A: To be certificate eligible, a learner must upgrade to the certificate track via the edX dashboard. If you earn a grade of 50% or higher before the close of the course, then you will earn a certificate.
Q: How do I upgrade to the verified certificate track?
A: Learners can upgrade from the edX dashboard (all courses view when you first sign in) or from the Home tab within the course. This edX help page describes the process.
Q: When is the certificate upgrade deadline?
A: The last day to upgrade to a certificate is listed in the "Important Course Dates" section of the Course tab.
Q: How do I receive my certificate?
A: Certificates are available on demand once you’ve earned a passing grade. The option to generate the certificate will appear within the Progress page. Once the certificate has been generated, it will be available within the edX course dashboard. EdX does NOT mail or email certificates to learners.
Q: I have a question about verification or payment for certificates. Whom should I contact?
A: Contact edX using the online support form. The course team cannot resolve certificate issues on behalf of learners.
Q: What information is included on my certificate?
A: The edX verified certificate includes your name, the course name, the HarvardX logo, the edX logo, the course professor's name and signature, and the unique url for your web-based certificate. The certificate does NOT include your specific grade or any information about hours of instruction.