![[Basics]](../graphics/basics.gif)
![[Requirements]](../graphics/reqbtn.gif)
![[Grading]](../graphics/grading.gif)
![[Policies]](../graphics/policy.gif)
Basic Information
Instructor: Julia Benson-Slaughter
Spring Semester, 2008 -- MW 2:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Room E-0280, Dunwoody Campus
Catalog Description
This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of computer science. It emphasizes structured, top-down development and testing of computer programs. The course includes an overview of computers and programming; problem solving and algorithm development; simple data types; arithmetic and logic operators; selection structures; repetition structures; text files; arrays (one and two dimentional); procedural abstraction and software design; modular programming (including subprograms or the equivalent).
Course Objective
This course provides an introduction to the field of computer science and its many topics. The course presents algorithm development and problem solving methods, teaches the fundamentals of high-level programming languages, and discusses methods of designing, coding, debugging, testing, and documenting programs using structured programming techniques.
Instructor's Comments
Many students begin this class thinking that computer science is basically video games and word processing. It isn't. The field of computer science requires critical thinking skills, discipline, an open mind, and active participation in the learning process from you, the student. For a large number of you, this will be one of the most difficult and time-consuming classes you have ever encountered, simply because you will be encountering a totally unfamiliar discipline for the first time.
You will find that this class involves a considerable amount of work outside the classroom on assignments, plus additional time to study for tests. Projects and exercises, as well as test questions, will inevitably involve problem solving rather than simple recital of facts and figures.
Prepare yourself now for a lot of hard work, but a lot of reward as well!
Course Requirements
Prerequisite
Completion of CSCI 1300 with a 'C' or better, or official transient status.
Note:Typing skills are not required, but are extremely useful for this class. If you cannot touch-type at least 20 words/minute with fewer than three errors, you are strongly urged to spend some time working with typing tutorial software. Such a program is available online at keybr.com or on computers in the Georgia Perimeter College computer lab.
Textbook and Supplies
Java Programming: Program Design Including Data Structures.
D.S. Malik. Thomson Course Technology. ISBN 1-4188-3540-4.
Bundled with Java Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design Lab Manual,
Scholl. Thomson Course Technology. ISBN 0-619-15982-0
You need some form of secondary storage medium (flash drive preferred) on which to save your work. Be sure you bring this to each class meeting, as we do work on the computer during many class sessions.
Grading
Summary of Grading
| Item | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% |
| Tests | 30% |
| Final exam | 30% |
Assignments
Assignments consist of homework exercises and programming labs. An overall grade will be assigned for each chapter, based on your successful completion of the work for the chapter. All work for a chapter is due no later than one week after the last day the chapter is covered in class.
Homework Assignments
Homework problems are assigned from the end-of-chapter exercises for certain chapters. See your course schedule for details. Problems thus assigned are worth 10 points each.
Labs
For each lab in the lab manual, students are responsible for working through the parts indicated in the course schedule. The lab will generally be started in class and completed outside of class. Please refer to the instructions for handing in labs to determine submission requirements. You must submit all printouts and documents specified to receive full credit for the lab. The possible points for each lab varies depending on the length and complexity of the lab.
Requirements for submitting programs
Before lab programs are accepted for grading, they must be processable by the jGRASP environment with no errors. Note: correct compilation by other compilers does not guarantee correct compilation by the JGRASP environment. Please do not submit programming assignments that do not meet this criterion -- they will be returned to you ungraded.
Programming standards
Guidelines and standards for assignments are provided in your textbook and lab manual and will be discussed in class. Programming assignments are expected to conform to these rules for style, documentation, and content.
Policies for late work
All work is due by the beginning of class on the date indicated on the course schedule. Work submitted by the beginning of the next class meeting will be assessed a 10% penalty off the top; work submitted by the beginning of the second class meeting after the due date will be assessed a 20% penalty off the top. It is the student's responsibility to plan ahead and keep up with the schedule of work for the course, just as it is a professional worker's responsibility to meet deadlines in the workplace.
Exams
Tests
There will be two tests during the semester, given at the times stated on the class schedule and announced in class. These tests accounts for 15% of your course grade each. They are not optional, nor can these grades be dropped.
Final
There will be a comprehensive final examination at our scheduled final examination period in our regular classroom. This final examination accounts for 30% of your course grade. The final examination is not optional, nor can this grade be dropped.
Missed tests
Alternative testing arrangements must be made in advance for tests or the final examination. Normally, makeup tests will be given only in the cases of illness, a death or serious illness in the immediate family, a court summons or other legal proceeding, or an unexpected and unchangeable work conflict. Students may be asked to produce written documentation in support of their request (e.g. a note from the doctor or supervisor, a copy of the court summons, etc.).
Note that there is NO GUARANTEE that computers will be available for use on makeup tests.
Extra Credit Policies
This course already involves a substantial workload. Therefore, no optional assignments for extra credit are ever made under any circumstances. Limited extra credit opportunities are available as follows:
- Extra credit may be available on selected regular assignments for work above and beyond the minimum requirements.
- Extra credit questions may be included on major tests or on the final exam.
- Students with no more than one absence will receive two points added to their final class average. Students with no more than three absences will receive one point added to their final class average. For this purpose, being late to class or leaving class early twice will count as one absence.
- Students who post entries or comments to Technobits, the Dunwoody CSCI blog, will receive up to two points extra credit added to their final average.
- Students who actively participate in classroom activities and discussion will receive up to two points extra credit added to their final average, at the instructor's discretion.
Grading Scale
Letter grades for the course are based on a standard 100-point grading scale, with 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, below 60 = F.
Course Policies
Absence Policy | Computer Lab Facilities Policies | Academic Integrity PolicyAbsence Policy
Regular attendance is the most critical factor in your success in this class. You are expected to attend all classes and examinations as scheduled, and to remain in attendance for the full class period. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class.
Students who have attended at least one class meeting will NOTbe withdrawn from class by the instructor for lack of attendance. Students wishing to withdraw from the course are responsible for submitting the appropriate withdrawal form to the Registrar's office by the published deadline. Students withdrawing themselves before the midpoint of the semester will receive a grade of "W". Students withdrawing themselves after midpoint will receive a grade of "WF" unless hardship withdrawal status is granted by the department head or academic dean. If a student stops attending class and does not submit a withdrawal form, they will receive a grade of "F".
Computer Lab Facilities
For your assignments, you may use the Georgia Perimeter College computer lab facilities at any campus at any time that the lab facilities are open. All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the posted computer lab rules and regulations.
The open labs at Dunwoody, Clarkston, and Lawrenceville campuses have the JGRASP Java environment available for use. Lab hours at each facility vary.
If you have your own computer at home or work, you may certainly use that computer for your assignments. The course library contains links to online software that you may install on your computer to allow you to complete your assignments at home.
Academic Integrity Policy
Cheating and/or plagiarism in this class is not tolerated. Students are expected to adhere to the general regulations, student conduct code, and student rights and responsibilities as published in the Georgia Perimeter College Student Handbook. Additionally, students are expected to be aware of and adhere to the published Academic Honesty Policy as established by the Mathematics Academic Area.
All assignments for this course are to be substantially the work of the individual student whose name appears on the submitted assignment, unless the assignment is specifically indicated, in writing, as being a group assignment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit the correct work.
Students are permitted to discuss assignments with one another and assist one another with minor problems as they work on assignments. However, each student is to develop their individual problem analysis and algorithm, and write and test their own program. This allows you to consult with and assist one another as you work on assignments, though your final product is to be your own work. In working on your assignments, you should be extremely careful about giving another student a copy (preliminary or final) of your work or showing another student your work, as this leaves both of you open to a charge of plagiarism.
Any instances of two or more individuals turning in assignments which are identical, either in form or logic, will be regarded as cheating unless either:
- The logic and structure used in a program is so obvious and straightforward that it is expected that most students would use this logic in this program, or
- The logic and structure used in a program follows that of any sample algorithm for the assignment handed out by the instructor.
Refer to the Georgia Perimeter College Student Handbook for further information and a discussion of the due process procedure that will be followed in cases of academic dishonesty.
Any student found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty on a graded test or assignment will receive a grade of "0" for that test or assignment for the first offense. This grade will not be dropped and will be averaged into the final grade. The second offense will result in the student receiving a grade of "WF" or "F" for the course, as determined by the instructor. In either situation, the case will be referred to the Dean for Student Affairs for possible further disciplinary action.
