Syllabus

CSCI 201 – Introduction to Computer Science I

Spring 2007

1.0           General Information

Class Time

Lecture: Tuesday/Thursday 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Lab: Wednesday 2:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Class Location:

Lecture: 203 Thompson

Lab: 220 Thompson

Instructor: Dr. Shankar M Banik

            Office: 222 Thompson

            Email: shankar.banik@citadel.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

            Tuesday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

            Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

            Thursday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

            Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

2.0           Course Description

An introduction to problem solving and algorithm development using Java. Topics include computer organization, operating systems, structured programming, and program modularization. Assignments involve designing, coding, debugging, and documenting computer programs.

Prerequisite: No previous computer programming experience is needed for this course.

3.0           Course Objectives

This course aims to

·         To provide an overview of computer science.

·         To acquaint the student with the basic organization of a modern computer system.

·         To develop problem-solving skills in the context of software development.

·         To cover details of the basic syntax and semantics of the Java programming language (data types, control structures, classes, methods, etc.).

·         To provide extensive experience with designing, compiling, testing, and documenting Java programs.

·         To introduce the basic principles of object-oriented software development.

4.0           Course Material

Textbook:       Java Concepts

Cay Horstmann

4^th Edition

John Wiley & Sons

2005

5.0           Required Work

·         Labs

§         As part of the course you will learn to solve problems using the computer. Each lab assignment will be started in the weekly supervised lab. Most lab assignments will also require time OUTSIDE the assigned lab period. Lab assignments are due at the START of the lab period following the one in which they were assigned. If you are not in the lab, it is your responsibility to have the project to the instructor BEFORE the lab starts. Late labs will be accepted up until one week after the due date. Each day they are late five points will be deducted from the grade.

·         Programs and Homework

§         Programs and homework will be assigned, collected, and graded. Both are an important part of the course. You are expected to devote appropriate time outside of class to the completion of this work. DO NOT get any outside help on any graded work except from the instructor. Each homework should be turned in at the beginning of the class on the due date. Homework will not be accepted late for any reason. If you are unable to come to class on the day a homework assignment is due, it is up to you to see that homework is passed in BEFORE class begins. Programs will be accepted up to a week late. Each day they are late five points will be deducted from the final grade. A homework that does not meet the specifications will receive an automatic deduction 50% of the grade.

·         Quizzes

§         Quizzes over the class readings and lectures will be given regularly. NO make-ups will be given.

·         Midterm Examinations

§         There will be three Midterm Exams during the semester. Tentative dates for the Midterm Examinations are Thursday February 15, Thursday March 22 and Thursday April 19 at Thompson 203 during the lecture class. Missing an examination without a previously approved excuse will result in a grade of zero for that examination. Makeup examinations are never available.

·         Comprehensive Final Examination

§         The Final Examination is from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Monday, April 30. The Final Examination is comprehensive. No Final Examination can be given early, except as required by The Citadel Policy.

6.0           Course Policies

Class Attendance and Discussion: It is advised that students attend all lectures. Everyone in the class is expected to participate in the class discussion. Class attendance and participation can influence borderline grades. A total of six absences from the lectures or a total of three absences from the labs – excused or otherwise – will result in a course grade of F. With respect to this policy, three lates count as an absence. In addition, if you are late by 15 minutes or more you will be considered absent. Students who sleep in class will be treated as if ABSENT from class.

E-mail: Any announcement will be sent through email. Class emails are sent to your official email address using PANCHO. You are responsible for making sure that you are receiving class e-mails. It is your responsibility to have your official email account working properly and forwarding to the location where you read emails.

Grading: There are five components to the course grade. They are weighted as follows.

The grading scale will be no higher than the following. It may be lower at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading Policies

• If you have a question about the grading of a homework or a quiz, please see the instructor during his office hours. All disagreements about the grading of homeworks or quizzes must be brought to the attention of the instructor within one week of when the item was returned. 
• If there is a dispute about the grading of an examination problem, you may stay after the class the day the exams are returned to discuss it with the instructor. If you cannot stay at this time, return the paper to the instructor at the end of class and visit with the instructor during his office hours. ONCE AN EXAM HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CLASSROOM AFTER IT HAS BEEN RETURNED, THE GRADE IS FINAL AND WILL NOT BE CHANGED, EVEN IF IT IS FOUND TO BE IN ERROR.

Disability

Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor personally as soon as possible so that necessary accommodations can be made to ensure full participation and to facilitate educational opportunities.

Academic Misconduct

All work submitted for an individual grade, including homework and project, should be the work of that single individual, and not their friends, nor their tutor.

It is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies mentioned in The Honor Manual of The Citadel. Ignorance of these policies is not an excuse for violating them.