OSU Computer Science

Syllabus for CS 1113
Computer Science I

Summer 2008 

 

 

Instructor:

David Monismith
230 MSCS
Stillwater, OK 74078-1053

Office Hours:
MTWR 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Other times by appointment

Phone: (405) 744-5451
userid = monismi
 

Teaching
Assistant:

Zachary Patitz
226 MSCS
Stillwater, OK 74078-1053

Office Hours: TBA

userid = patitzz

Lecture logistics:

Lecture: MTWR 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Life Science East 215

Lab Hours:

MW 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The location for all labs is MS 108.

Textbooks:

Starting Out with Java: From Control Structures through Objects
(Third edition) (required)
    Tony Gaddis (Pearson Education, Inc., 2008)
    ISBN 0-321-47927-0
We will cover chapters 1 - 6 and parts of chapters 8-10.

Website:

http://oc.okstate.edu

Prerequisites:

Math 1513 or equivalent 

Course objectives:

Learn problem solving using computers.  Learn to design, write, and debug computer programs using the Java programming language.  Explore design and programming methodologies including object-oriented methodologies.

Outline:

The topics to be covered include the following, as time permits:

·         Introduction to computer systems and software

·         The UNIX operating system utilities

·         Computer problem solving

·         Fundamental Java programming

·         Debugging techniques

·         Object-oriented programming

Assignments:

 

Homework assignments (up to 8 @ 5 points)

up to 40

 

 

Lab assignments (up to 15 @ 5 points)

up to 75

 

 

Programming assignments 
(1 @ 10 points, 1 @ 15 points, up  to 8 @ 20 points) 

up to 185

 

 

Midterm Examination (1 @ 100 points)

100

 

 

Final Exam (1 @ 100 points)

100

 

 

TOTAL:

up to 500

 

  • Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified.
  • Programming assignments are due by 11:59:59 PM on the date specified.  They must be submitted electronically, as described on their Web pages. If you submit more than once, later submission replaces the earlier one.
  • The number of homework and programming assignments may be changed (most likely lowered) by the instructor if necessary.

Late work policy:

Homework assignments cannot be turned in late for credit.
Labs can be turned in late, if permission is obtained from the instructor.

Programming assignments may be turned in late, but they lose a percentage of their graded point values according to the following schedule:

    On time:                                 0% off

    Up to 1 calendar day late:    10% off

    Up to 2 calendar days late:  30% off

    Up to 3 calendar days late:  60% off

    More than 3 days late:        100% off

Exams:
One 8.5 X 11 inch note sheet, both sides, will be allowed...

 

There is one in class examination and one final examination during the semester. Unless announced otherwise in class and on the D2L news page, these examinations will take place on the following dates:

    Midterm Exam:  June 28 (Thursday)

    Final Exam:  July 26 (Thursday) 10:00 - 11:50 AM

One 8.5 X 11 in. note sheet will be allowed for use on class exams.  These notes cannot be photocopied from the book or any other books.  The material must have "passed through your brain at least once" before it may be written/typed on a note sheet.  Furthermore, except for ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses, magnifying glasses are not allowed in exams unless a student has a certified physical disability that requires the use thereof.  For the final exam, two sheets of notes will be allowed.

If a student misses the midterm exam, the final exam will be counted twice to make up the missed exam score.  If a student misses the final exam, the student must contact the instructor within a reasonable amount of time to schedule a make-up exam.

 

Grading policy:

Grades will be assigned based on point totals as follows:
        100% - 90%       --    A
        89.99% - 80%    --    B
        79.99% - 70%    --    C
        69.99% - 60%    --    D
        59.99% -   0%    --    F

  • However, in addition to achieving the necessary overall percentage, for a student to pass this course it is necessary that the student have earned at least half of the total possible points for all programming assignments combined.
  • This grading scale will not be raised; however, the instructor reserves the right to lower (“curve”) this scale without prior notice.
  • Any student who submits a programming assignment that does not compile will have his/her score reduced by at least 50% on that assignment.

All grades will be kept by the instructor. If you have a question about a grade, please discuss it with the instructor.

Software & Hardware  requirements:

You may use any version of Java on any computer system to develop your programs, but your programs must compile and run correctly using the version of Java installed on CSA (i.e., a.cs.okstate.edu).
 

Academic Integrity:

Homeworks and Programs:  Working together is not allowed.  Students are strongly encouraged to come to office hours for help.  Handing in a program written by a tutor is not allowed.  Giving another student your work in part or in whole is also not allowed, as are all other obviously dishonest practices.

Examinations:  During an examination period, no communication of any kind is allowed, except with the instructor or proctor.

For a violation of academic integrity, a grade of zero will be given on the assignment or exam, after which the final grade will be lowered by one letter grade. All cases will be reported to the OSU administration.

Disabilities act:

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible for notifying the University of his or her disability and to request accommodations. If you think that you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations, you should notify the instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services, 315 Student Union. Please advise the instructor of such disability as soon as possible, and contact Student Disability Services, to ensure timely implementation of appropriate accommodations. The instructor of this class will respond when he receives official notice of a disability, but he does not provide retroactive accommodations.

Syllabus attachment:

Other useful information, such as important dates throughout the semester, can be found on the OSU syllabus attachment for the Summer 2008 semester.

Common student opinions:

"This course needs a prerequisite!"

Response: It has a prerequisite, MATH 1513 or the equivalent.
This course is equivalent to CS I courses taught at hundreds of colleges and universities, with no other prerequisite.

"This course is too hard! Developing the programs takes way too much time."

Response (see above): "This course is equivalent to CS I courses taught at hundreds ..."

"This course is boring!"

Response: Perhaps. Work hard and earn a nice, boring grade of A.

Suggestions:
  1. Attend all lectures.  Much of the lecture time is devoted to giving hints for the programming assignments and to presenting material that is not in the textbook but that will be covered on the exams.
  2. Read 10 - 15 pages ahead in the textbook before each lecture.
  3. Bring your textbook to lecture.
  4. Take notes.
  5. Work extra exercises and problems, beyond those assigned.
  6. Start early on all assignments, particularly programming assignments.
  7. Go to office hours if you need help with an assignment or if you wish to discuss a grade.
  8. Files of exams and solutions from the previous semesters are provided on D2L.

 

Disclaimer:

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus at any time without prior notice.  All updates will be announced on the D2L news page.