CS120: Computer Science I syllabus

This file is no longer maintained, so links may be broken!

Programming 1, Computer Science 135 B syllabus, fall 2000, Central College.
Professor: Tom Linton, 312 B Central Hall, (641) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Class Meets: MTWF 2:00 to 2:50 PM in Central Hall 313.
Office Hours: 10 AM Monday and Friday, 1 PM Tuesday and Wednesday, or by appointment.
Text: JAVA A Framework for Programming and Problem Solving, by Lambert and Osborne.
Final Exam: Wednesday December 20, 1 PM, 313 Central Hall.

jump to Class Schedule.

Overview

Welcome to Computer Science 135! My goals in this course are to help you learn about software design, organization, development, and testing, and to introduce you to a variety of ideas and topics in computer science. We should cover most of the first 9 chapters in the text.

This course is intended for students with a serious interest in programming and computer science. This course meets the m core requirement for mathematical reasoning, and will involve a significant component of abstract thinking, problem solving, and mathematics. If you have concerns or questions about this course, please talk to me at your earliest convenience.

The following description of this course appears in the Central College Catalog:

Previous programming experience is recommended. Computer programming is introduced with a general-purpose high-level programming language such as Java. Students will learn about variables, input, output, calculations, control structures (sequence, selection, repetition), simple data structures (arrays, records, sets, files), simple algorithms, modular design (functions and procedures) and problem solving in general. Students will spend a significant amount of time out of class designing, writing and debugging computer programs.

At the end of this course you should be able to:

Design algorithms to solve specified problems.
Implement algorithms in a high-level language (Java).
Document source code so that it can be read, understood, and modified.
Test software to ensure that it meets specifications.
Interact with a PC and the internet.

General Information

This syllabus and most other course materials are maintained online; you should check the course page at least once a week for assignments and other information. You should also check your email regularly in case there are changes or corrections you need to know about. The URL for the course page is:

http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes/fall00/prog1/prog1.html

If any student has a physical, learning or psychiatric disability that restricts the development or expression of your gifts, please feel free to let me know so that we can, when possible, make accommodations that will enhance your classroom experience.

Programming Language and Computing Environment. Most of the topics we will cover apply to many programming languages; once you are familiar with one language, it is usually easy to switch to others. In this course, we will be using the Java programming language. Like all languages, Java has advantages and disadvantages, some of which we will encounter and discuss in class. We will also be using the Windows NT operating system and the CodeWarrior integrated development environment. If you install a copy of the Java Development Kit (JDK), it would be best to use version 1.2.2. A copy of the installation program for this version of the JDK is located in the MathCS subfolder of the G:\ Dropfolders on Acad1 drive. Many of our class meetings will involve working (in groups) on lab activities. These activities will be much easier if you've read the relevant sections of the text beforehand.

Grading. Your final grade in this course will be based on participation, homework assignments, programming assignments, lab activities, quizzes, three midterm exams, and a cumulative final exam. These items will be weighted as follows:

There will be a 10% penalty for each class day that an assignment (program, homework, activity, ...) is late. Once corrected assignments or programs are handed back, no credit will be given for late versions of that assignment.

You are encouraged to work together on homework assignments, activities and programming assignments (unless otherwise instructed), however, this does NOT mean that copying answers (or code) from other sources is allowed.

Schedule:

Relevant information will be added to this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date version is available on line at http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes/fall00/prog1/135syll.html#schedule.

Week	Dates	Reading Assignment	Assignments
01	8-29 to 9-1	chp 1	pre-course evaluation and discussion
02	9-5 to 8	chp 2	codewarrior introduction activity 1, basic strings and errors
03	9-11 to 15	chp 3	programming assignment 1 Solutions: Miles.java, PiggyBank.java
04	9-18 to 22	chp 4	programming assignment 2 Solutions: Bookstore, WinningPercent.
05	9-25 to 29	chp 4	exam 1 practice, programming #3 Solution: Loan.java
06	10-2 to 6	chp 5	depreciation methods,
07	10-9 to 13	chp 5	roulette player methods,
08	10-16 to 20	chp 5	assignment 5, methods
09	10-23 to 25	chp 5, 6	MasterMind lab
10	10-30 to 11-3	chp 6	exam 2 practice and the answers
11	11-6 to 10	chp 6, 7	chp 6 homework
12	11-13 to 17	chp 7	Math class HW
13	11-20 to 22	chp 7	assignment 6, checkboxes, Strings
14	11-27 to 12-1	chp 9	array homework
15	12-4 to 8	chp 9	assignment 7, arrays, #19 page 241
16	12-11 to 15	chp 8	practice problems for end of class
	12-20	cumulative final exam	Wed 1 PM, CEH 313

This personal page is maintained by Tom Linton, email: lintont@central.edu. Last updated December 13, 2000.

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this page are the responsibility of Tom Linton and do not necessarily reflect Central College policies or official positions."