CSC 121: Introduction to Computer Science I

Instructor: Devon M. Simmonds

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Course Requirements

• Lecture Section
  Programming concepts will be presented and discussed in the lecture section. This includes algorithms, Java syntax and semantics, program design, and discussion of programming projects and labs. Exams will take place in the lecture section. You should come to lecture prepared by having read the sections that are listed for that day on the class schedule. Sample programs will be linked to the course schedule. Check the schedule at least once a week for updates.
• Lab Section

Students are required to attend the lab that they are signed up for except under exceptional situations and then when prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Thus, to succeed/excel in the course, a student must succeed/excel in both lecture and lab sections. Your lab section will be used for hands-on programming activities. These activities may be structured or unstructured, individual or collaborative, and may vary from one lab session to another. You should come to lab with your book and notes and be ready to write code for the entire period. Bring recording media (flash drive) to lab to put your work on, and be sure to back up your work on your home computer.

You are expected to stay for the entire lab period and remain focused on the assigned tasks. The lab is a non-threatening environment where you can work to improve your programming ability. Students who complete the tasks assigned before the end of the lab session may be asked to peer tutor students who are still working on their tasks.

During most lab periods you will be given a mini-project to work on. Generally, labs will be collaborative in nature, you can talk to your classmates and ask your professor for help. There will be weekly lab meetings and for most you will receive a Boolean grade for each one (0 or 1 point). Most labs will consist of two to five parts that must be completed in sequence. The parts will vary in difficulty so that may not complete all parts in the lab session. Two of the labs will include additional timed practicals for which there will be no assistance. These are designed to test individual hands-on programming abilities. All work must be done in lab unless otherwise specified. No make-up labs or extensions are allowed. Your lowest lab grade including practicals will be dropped. Note that on some lab days, such as when you work on team programs, everyone who stays on task will get full credit for the lab.

• Homework & Quizzes
  Homework & Quizzes will serve as milestones between exams and provide valuable feedback. Homework will include problems to be solved and code to be written. Homeworks are generally due at the start of the class session unless otherwise specified. Each quiz will be given at the start of the class/lab period. Quizzes will cover material from previous lectures and/or labs. Your graded quiz will be returned the next lecture period.
• Programming Projects
  There will be up to seven to ten programming projects which are to be completed outside of class. Programming projects help develop programming skills in students and should be completed according tom the supplied instructions.
• Exams
  There will be three 50-minute exams and a comprehensive final exam. 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. The final exam may not be used to replace your quiz, lab, or program grades.

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Grading

The course will be graded as follows: 

Item	Grade Percent
Comprehensive final exam	20%
Three 50-minute exams	30% (10% each)
Programming Projects & Homeworks	30%
Quizzes	10%
Lab assignments	10%

Course Grade
A 10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course score falls just below a cutoff, a higher plus / minus 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

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· 90.0 - 100 A 4.00

· 80.0 - 89.5 B 3.00

· 70.0 - 79.5 C 2.00

· 60.0 - 69.5 D 1.00

· 00.0 - 59.5 F 0.00

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Java Related Software Available for Download

1. JDK 6.0 (setting the path variable)

2. JDK 6.0 with NetBeans Bundle

3. BlueJ Download

4. BlueJ.org

5. Eclipse