CSC 131-800 Introduction to Computer Science

Schedule (*all times are EDT)

SFQ = Study For Quiz; PA = Programming Assignment (template)

Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

1. Students demonstrate an understanding of basic programming concepts including data types, variables, modularity, parameters, conditional statements, iteration, and arrays.
2. Students demonstrate program development techniques to describe and understand the problem statement, think through input/process/output, leading to problem representation and finally coding.
3. Students demonstrate the ability to use program control structures (i.e., iteration, conditionals).
4. Students develop and use algorithms to solve a variety of problems, for instance those related to array processing, statistical calculations, image and audio processing, and text processing.
5. Students practice modular programming by developing, debugging and integrating modules into a larger program.
6. Students demonstrate the ability to use programming language specific software libraries.
7. Students demonstrate the ability to use basic file input and output.
8. Students demonstrate the ability to use software development tools from command line compile and run commands to an integrated development environment.

Policy Information

Academic Honor Code

As a student at The University of North Carolina Wilmington, I am committed to honesty and truthfulness in academic inquiry and in the pursuit of knowledge. I pledge to uphold and promote the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a community of high academic standards where academic integrity is valued. UNCW students are committed to honesty and truthfulness in academic inquiry and in the pursuit of knowledge. This commitment begins when new students matriculate at UNCW, continues as they create work of the highest quality while part of the university community, and endures as a core value throughout their lives.

Please read and be familiar with the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code. I have highlighted some parts that are particularly relevant to CSC 131 here.

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.

Time Commitment

This particular version of CSC 131 runs over 34 days (20 May - 22 June); it is a matter of UNC system policy that we should expect to be committed for an average of 5 hours per day (hpd), 7-days a week, to this class (or any 4-credit hour class you take during a summer session w/in the UNC system).

A credit hour is defined as one 50-minute meeting of face-to-face instruction per week for 15 weeks, plus a minimum of 2 hours per week for 15 weeks of out-of-class student work.

• 1 credit = 50 min * 15 = 750 min instruction + 120 min * 15 = 1800 min student work; so, 12.5 hours of instruction + 30 hours of work = 42.5 hours
• 4 credits = 50 hours of instruction + 120 hours of work = 170 hours
• For distance education, an equivalent amount of work is required (though it may be blended differently, e.g. much less face-to-face instruction).
• 34 days from 20 May (start of course) through 22 June (final exam day)
• **170 hours/34 days = 5 hours/day (hpd)

You should be mentally prepared to spend ~5 hpd on this class.

Grading

Grading Scale (+/- at instructor discretion)

A: (avg >= 90)
B: (90 > avg) and (avg >= 80)
C: (80 > avg) and (avg >= 70)
D: (70 > avg) and (avg >= 60)

Coursework Weighting

10% Quiz
30% Programs
30% Tests
30% Final

Late Policy

Assignments are due at 1800 (6pm) EDT on the date that they are due. Normally, no assignments will be accepted late. However, if a situation results from other than your poor planning, I am generally willing to accept late assignments w/o penalty. When in doubt - send me email.

Extra Credit

There is no specified extra credit in this class. I will, on occasion, subjectively award extra credit for programming assignment solutions that demonstrate meaningful, functional effort beyond the norm.

Assignment Turn-around

Programming assignments will be graded and provided feedback by 0800 the day following submission. I expect to regularly begin grading immediately after the standard submission deadline (1800), so depending on how quickly I progress, some of you will see feedback relatively quickly.

Attendance

I will offer opportunities to meet on Zoom. If you think it is to your benefit to attend, please do so. Otherwise, you will not be penalized for non-attendance.

Communication Guidelines

Our course has a discussion board titled, CSC 131 Community Q&A , to which anyone may post questions and responses. This is a place for the exchange of ideas, providing of tips, or posing of questions. I will monitor the discussion regularly and respond NLT 12 hours from the post date/time (though often much more quickly during my waking hours).
Email: send me an email anytime about anything related to the course. From roughly 0800 - 2230, I expect I will regularly reply within 20 min - 2 hours. Most of the time I will be on or near my computer; sometimes I will be out working in the yard or running. I expect to be highly available to you during this summer semester. On exam days, when exams are due at 2359, I will be available on email until midnight.

Special Needs

If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform the instructor 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 the Office of Disability Services in DePaolo Hall (ext. 2-3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then arrange a meeting to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter. For more information, please visit the Disability Resource Center site.

Title IX

UNCW takes all forms of interpersonal violence very seriously. When students disclose, first- or third-hand, to faculty or staff about sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking, this information must be reported to the administration in order to ensure that students' rights are protected, appropriate resources are offered, and the need for further investigation is explored to maintain campus safety. There are three confidential resources who do not need to report interpersonal violence: UNCW CARE, the Student Health Center, and the Counseling Center. If you want to speak to someone in confidence, these resources are available, including CARE's 24-hour crisis line (910-512-4821). For more information, please visit the UNCW CARE site.