Syllabus for CS 1113 Computer Science I Fall 2009

Last updated:  October 16, 2009

(Changes are marked in red.)

Grades as of: November 16, 2009

All OSU students have access to PC labs located in

Instructor:	Dr. John P. Chandler 207 MSCS Stillwater, OK 74078-1053 Office Hours: MTWRF 9:30 - 11:00 AM Other times by appointment	Phone: (405)744-5676 userid = jpc
Teaching Assistants:	Robert Schukei 202 MSCS Stillwater, OK 74078 Office Hours: M 2:30 - 4:30 PM T 11:00 - 12:00 PM F 12:00 - 1:00 PM Other times by appointment	Phone: (405)744-7683 userid = rschuke
	Mahesh Khadka 316 MSCS Stillwater, OK 74078 Office Hours: T 2:00 - 3:30 PM W 2:00 - 4:30 PM	Phone: userid = mahessk
	Arif Muljadi 225 MSCS Stillwater, OK 74078 Office Hours: M 12:00 - 2:30 PM W 12:30 - 2:00 PM	Phone: userid = marif
Lecture logistics:	Lecture: TR 12:30 - 1:45 PM Classroom Building 313
Lab Hours:	Lab Section 01: T 3:30 - 5:20 PM (Choi) Lab Section 02: W 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM (Muljadi) Lab Section 03: W 8:30 - 10:20 AM (Muljadi) Lab Section 04: F 9:30 - 11:20 AM (Choi) The location for labs is MS 108.
Textbooks:	Starting Out with Java From Control Structures through Objects 4th edition. Tony Gaddis (Addison Wesley, Boston, 2010) ISBN 10: 0136080200 ISBN 13: 9780136080206
Website:	http://cs.okstate.edu/cs1113/
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 15 @ 5 points) up to 75 Lab assignments (15 @ 5 points) 75 Programming assignments (1 @ 10 points, 1 @ 15 points, up to 7 @ 20 points) up to 165 Examinations (3 @ 100 points, lowest score dropped) 200 Final Exam (1 @ 100 points) 100 TOTAL: up to 615 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. Labs are due at the beginning of the next lab session. 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 day late not including weekends:      20% off    Up to 2 day late not including weekends:      40% off    More than 2 day late:                                       100% off
Exams:	There are three examinations during the semester. Unless announced otherwise in class and on the daily news page, these examinations will take place on the following dates:     Exam 1: Sept. 15 (Tuesday)     Exam 2: Oct. 20 (Tuesday)     Exam 3: Nov. 17 (Tuesday)     Final Exam: Dec. 10 (Thur) 10:00 - 11:50 AM All exams unless specified otherwise are to be held during normal class hours in the lecture hall. 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 one of the three in-class exams, the student can choose at the final exam whether to count the final exam twice to make up the missed exam score, or to take a comprehensive programming make up exam. After the missed exam has been made-up in one of these two ways, the lowest of the three in-class exam scores will be dropped.
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. 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 CSX (i.e., csx.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 teaching assistant. 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 Fall 2009 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:	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. Read 10 - 15 pages ahead in the textbook before each lecture. Bring your textbook to lab and lecture. Take notes. Work extra exercises and problems, beyond those assigned. Start early on all assignments, particularly programming assignments. Go to office hours if you need help.  If you want help with a program, go to office hour of the instructor. Files of exams and solutions from the previous semesters are given here. If some of the links are not highlighted, corresponding files not available yet. Students usually find it convenient to have a USB memory stick, on which to transport their programs to a computer lab on campus or to an instructor's office for help in debugging, etc.   "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.   Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful   people with talent.   Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.   Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts.   Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.   The slogan 'Press on' has solved and always will solve the   problems of the human race."   Calvin Coolidge
Disclaimer	The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus at any time without notice.  All updates will be announced in the Daily News.