SYLLABUS
CS
161: Introduction to Computer Science 1
Introduction to Programming and Problem
Solving
Fall
2010
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Prerequisite: |
None |
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Instructor:
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Karla
Steinbrugge Fant |
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E-mail:
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karlaf@cs.pdx.edu
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Office hours: |
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Texts: |
Beginning C++ Through Game
Programming, By Michael Dawson |
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Handouts: |
All handouts,
course outline, and homework assignments can be retrieved from the web at: |
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Disabilities: |
If you have a
disability and are in need of academic |
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accommodations,
please notify the instructor immediately to arrange needed support |
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CS161 can be viewed
Online…what does that mean?
This
term there are two sections of CS161. One is an “online” section and the other
is an “in-class” section. The only difference between these sections is that
the in-class students are guaranteed to have a seat available. Students in the
online section must watch the class remotely, streamed on the web. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that if you
are taking the class as “online” that you watch two lectures a week starting on
the first week. Missing lectures may mean missing vital information!
One
of the advantages of taking CS161 this term is that it can be viewed online by
all students. This means that regardless of which section you have signed up
for you can watch the class remotely. Some students use this feature to review
for the exams or re-watch material. The class lectures are “streamed” this term, which
means that they are video taped and will be available for viewing approx. 24
hours after the in-class lectures have occurred.
To
account for the fact that each of us may be watching the class at different
times, all announcements will be posted online – on both my
website and the new online system called Desire 2 Learn (D2L for short), so it
is important to login frequently. We also have a class web site CS161
Web Site where assignments are posted. Duplicate copies will also be
available on the Desire 2 Learn website.
All course materials (except exams and textbooks) are available electronically and homework can be submitted entirely electronically, so there is no requirement to come on campus to turn in your work! However, the on-campus labs have tutors that can help with the assignments – so you might consider scheduling some time to work at PSU. There will be online discussions to encourage progress; these are a vital part of your grade. The midterm and final exam may be either taken in the classroom or at the testing center at PSU. Here are the links you will need:
1. Frequent the CS161’s Home page: CS161
Web Site
a. For announcements
b. TA office hours
c. Handouts and Assignments
d. Course Lecture Notes and Course Slides
2. Weekly login to Desire 2 Learn: http://www.my.pdx.edu
a. Your password should be the same as your
odin password.
b. Weekly participate in online discussions.
c. Post questions you might have here – for class discussion.
d. Check your grades
e. Use the calendar tool to keep track of
when assignments are due.
3. Weekly lectures can be seen from links on both our website and
Desire 2 Learn
4. Plan to take exams in class – alternative exam times will be
posted prior to the examinations taking place
a. If you are signed up for the “online”
section of CS161, make sure to email Karla of your plans for the exam. An alternate evening testing time will be
announced during the term. These are usually offered in the evening.
b. Exams can only be taken at the testing
center if there is an emergency situation (testing@pdx.edu)
such as illness. Exams
taken at the testing center will cost the student approx $10, for the testing
center’s services.
Questions?
If you have questions, the
best approach is to post messages on Desire
2 Learn or send email directly to karlaf@cs.pdx.edu.
Make sure to include your name and the class
you are enrolled in…otherwise we may not be able to answer your questions. Office
hours listed on this syllabus are also highly recommended. When coming to
office hours, please make sure to bring a hardcopy of your homework!
Electronic mail works the best
if you have a question that you encounter as you work on the homework
assignments. Please be advised that questions should be clearly formulated and
it should be clear from the question that you have attempted to solve the
problem on your own. Do not, unless explicitly asked by the Instructor, simply
email your homework and expect a response! Instead, talk about what problems
you are encountering and what you have done to make progress.
If you have administrative
questions and need to talk directly with the Instructor, send mail to: karlaf@cs.pdx.edu
Is
CS161 the right class for me?
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CS161 is
designed for students who have never
programmed before. There are no
pre-requisites for this class.
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This is not
a refresher class!
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If you have already programmed in a high level
programming language in the past, then you most likely should sign up for
CS162.
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You will be ready for CS162 if you can answer the following questions with ease (in any
programming language):
1. Written complete
programs previously on your own in a high level programming language
2. Write a conditional
expression (if) to determine if someone’s age is between 13 and 21 (exclusive)
3. Using a loop, sum all
of the whole numbers stored in an array (assume there are “length” numbers
stored in the array)
4. Create a function that
finds the largest number in an array. Use arguments and returned values in your
solution.
5. Create a function that
will compare two names and display them in alphabetical order
Course Description:
Introduction to fundamental concepts of
computer science. Problem solving, algorithm and program design, data types,
loops, control structures, subprograms, and arrays. Learn to write programs in
a high level programming language. Surveys
current social and ethical aspects of computer science.
Goals:
To introduce students to the
fundamental concepts of computing. Problem solving, the design of algorithms
for solutions, and the translation of tested algorithms into the grammar of a
high-level computer language are emphasized. Students are encouraged to develop
a consistent programming style and a systematic method of internal program
documentation.
This course introduces the
software life cycle along with the goals of systems design; reliable,
modifiable, understandable, and efficient program development is emphasized.
Computer ethics are introduced with an analysis of the nature and social impact
of computer technology; this is emphasized using example cases and integrating
ethical issues into at least one project and exams. Students will be introduced
to the UNIX environment for subsequent CS courses.
Topics:
Solving Problems with Computers (8 hrs)
Algorithms – What they are and how to
write them (4 hours)
Learn how to login and enter programs (2
hrs)
Be introduced to high level
programming languages (4 hours)
Understand data types,
variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and arrays (16 hours)
Survey of social and ethical
aspects (2 hrs)
Learn about software design
methodologies (4 hours)
Projects/Homework:
• 6 homework
assignments to be turned in via email on the specified due date, emailed to
your instructor. Some homework will be written homework others will be
programs.
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These comprise 35% of your grade.
• For
all programs that you write, 20% of your grade is based on the program style,
comments, and documentation. A style sheet will be developed in class which
must be followed to get this 20%.
• NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be accepted. There will be situations where I will
announce changes to the due dates in class and posted on the web site.
• Partial credit will be given for
incomplete work. This
means that it is better to turn in something, even if it doesn’t work.
Remember, late assignments are not accepted! If you find you are continually
having problems meeting the due dates, make an appointment.
• Desire 2 Learn will be used in this class to facilitate online discussions used to help students become familiar and master the concepts of problem solving and program design. It is a new online service that is being rolled out this year and we are participating in the pilot program. We will use this forum to create algorithms and discuss some of the syntax learned in class. Students are expected to login to Desire 2 Learn every week and participate! Your participation is graded; it must be (a) meaningful, (b) instigate other discussion, (c) and be related to the class subject matter. Simply providing the entire solution and/or code will not promote a meaningful discussion! Also, logging in right before the discussion question is closed for the first time will not instigate other discussion and will be graded accordingly!
Grading and Examinations:
• Grades are based on the following
percentages:
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Participate
Weekly with Online Discussions |
5% |
Using
Desire 2 Learn |
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Midterm |
25% |
In class or Proctored |
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Comprehensive Final |
35% |
In class or Proctored |
Minimum Grade
Requirements:
For a C or better in this class, you
must have a grade of 65% or better on the Homework assignments and a grade of 65% or better on the Examinations.
In addition, students must turn in each homework assignment
to pass this class.
Policies:
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It is against department policy to give
final exams early (no exceptions!). Exams will all be closed book and closed
note exams. All makeup exams will be proctored through the testing services
center and cost students a fee ($10). All makeup exams must be pre-arranged
with your Instructor!
• Remember,
assignments are due on the due date (anytime during the day/evening). Failure
to turn assignments in on time will result in a zero for that assignment. Homework
will not be accepted after the last day of class.
• CHEATING: Each student is expected to submit only
original work. Any person who violates
these requirements will receive a grade of F for the course and a letter will
be sent to the head of the CS Department.
Note that the instructor may ask any student to explain his/her homework
verbally.
The work you
submit must be your own. It is not acceptable to hand in assignments in which
substantial amounts of the material was done by someone else. You must be especially careful
that in the process of discussing problems with other students that they do not
inadvertently end up using your work.
• GRADING will be done near 90% (A), 80% (B), and
65% (C). However, exact break points for grades will depend upon the overall
class results. For P/NP grade option, a "pass" grade requires an
overall grade of at least a C.
• INCOMPLETES will be given only when a
minimal amount of work remains to be completed, only for a valid reason and
only for a fixed time period. Do not expect an incomplete in this class.
Try to Exceed my
Expectations!