CSC 332 - Course Syllabus - Spring 2013

Section 1 - TR 12:30 - 1:45 - CI 1006
Section 2 - TR 8:00 - 9:15 - CI 1006

Dr. David R.Berman
E-mail: bermand@uncw.edu
Office hours (CI 2039, 962-3247): MW 10:00-11:00, TR 11:00-12:30. Drop-ins are welcome anytime.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

CSC 332. Data Structures (3) Prerequisite: CSC 221. Prerequisite or corequisite: MAT 161. Study of basic data structures and their applications. Lists and trees; graph algorithms; internal and external sort and search techniques; hashing; analysis and design of efficient algorithms; file processing techniques.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the third of three courses (CSC 121, CSC 221, CSC 332) on the Java programming language. In this course you will learn some of the most widely used data structures, related algorithms, and applications. Computational complexity theory will be introduced to study the efficiency of the algorithms. This course will require you to spend a large amount of time outside of class writing computer programs. All work must be done on the UNCW Computer Science Department Linux-based instructional server named "Babbage" (babbage.cis.uncw.edu).

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Mark Allen Weiss, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in Java, Third Edition, Pearson, 2012.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA

• Exams
  There will be three 75-minute exams. Tentative dates are given in the course schedule. Each exam will count 15% of your course grade. Make-up exams will not be given. If a student misses one exam, the grade on the final exam will substitute for it. If a student does not miss any exams, the final will substitute for the lowest exam grade (if the final is higher). If a student has already missed an exam, subsequent missed exams will result in zeroes.
  
  
• Final Exam
  The final exam will be comprehensive and counts either 15% of your course grade, if the final exam grade is lower than your lowest exam, or 30% of your course grade, if the final replaces your lowest exam grade. The final exam may not be used to replace your program grades.
  
  
• Programming Projects
  There will be 5 programming projects and each will be worth 20 points. Programs will be assigned in class and also posted in the course schedule. Programs are due by the end of the day on the due date and late programs will be penalized 2 points each day late. So a program due Thursday and turned in the following Monday would earn at most 12 out of 20 points. Programs will count a total of 40% of your course grade. A hardcopy printout of each program must be submitted with the relevant code and required test runs. You may discuss programs with each other but you are required to independently write up your own program. Copying and team collaboration is prohibited.
  
  
• Course Grade
  A modified 10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course score falls just below a cutoff, the higher grade may be assigned. Factors that affect this judgment are the distribution of grades, improvement during the semester, and attendance.

      Numeric Score     Letter Grade     Quality Points 
    ====================================================               
       93.3 - 100            A                4.00 
       90.0 - 93.2           A-               3.67
       86.7 - 89.9           B+               3.33
       83.3 - 86.6           B                3.00
       80.0 - 83.2           B-               2.67
       76.7 - 79.9           C+               2.33
       73.3 - 76.6           C                2.00
       70.0 - 73.2           C-               1.67
       66.7 - 69.9           D+               1.33
       63.3 - 66.6           D                1.00
       60.0 - 63.2           D-               0.67
       00.0 - 59.9           F                0.00
  

HONOR CODE

It is the responsibility of every student to follow the UNCW Academic Honor Code. You violate the honor code when you claim someone else's work as your own. Programming assignments may be discussed at a conceptual (i.e. design and algorithms) level with other students but implementation details and coding must be your own. Copying of programs is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action (see your Student Handbook). Copying includes digital copies, hand copies, as well as representing a slight modification of someone else's code as your own work.

UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-CARE, Campus Police at 962-2222, or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit http://www.uncw.edu/wsrc/crisis.html.

LEARNING STRATEGIES

You are expected to take an active role in your learning in this course. This includes regular attendance, paying attention in class, reading the textbook, and completing all course requirements. You are encouraged to study with your classmates outside of class. Programming assignments usually require a lot more time than expected, so start early and work some every day.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform Dr. Berman of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Office of Disability Services: uncw.edu/stuaff/disability, and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with Dr. Berman to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

available here