CSC 221 - Introduction to Computer Science II

CSC 221 is the second course in the three course programming sequence: CSC 121, CSC 221, CSC 332. These courses are currently taught using the Java programming language and a Windows environment. The prerequisite for CSC 221 is CSC 121 (with a grade of "C" or better), and the corequisite is CSC 133 (Discrete Structures). Topics in CSC 221 include searching and sorting, recursive algorithms, file input and output, reusable classes and packages, inheritance and polymorphism, event-driven programming, and graphical user interfaces. This corresponds to chapters 7-16 of our textbook.

Note: Students may declare a major in Computer Science after completion of CSC 121, 133, and 221 with a grade point average of at least 2.5 on these 3 courses and with an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. (effective for students entering Fall 2000)

TEXTBOOK

JC. Thomas Wu, An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java, Third Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill, 2003.
ISBN: 0073040959 (with Java 1.5 update -preferred, or 0072921951 without the update)

GRADING

 The lecture section will determine 52% of the course grade and the lab section 48% of the course grade as itemized below. Thus, to succeed/excel in the course, a student must succeed/excel in both lecture and lab.

• 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 and quizzes 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.
  
  
  • Quizzes
    Quizzes will serve as milestones between exams and provide valuable feedback. There will be 6-7 short quizzes. Each quiz will be given near the end of the class period and last about 10 minutes. Quizzes will occur every third lecture period between exams and will cover material from previous lectures and/or labs. Make-up quizzes will not be given, but your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Your graded quiz will be returned the next lecture period. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. The average of your quiz grades (multiplied by 10 to put it on a 100 point scale) will count 16% of your course grade.
    
    
  • Exams
    There will be one 50-minute exam. Tentative date is given in the course schedule. The exam will count 12% of your course grade. Make-up exams will not be given.
    
    
  • Final Exam
    The final exam will be comprehensive and counts either 12% of your course grade, if the final exam grade is lower than your lowest exam, or 24% of your course grade, if the final replaces your lowest exam grade. The final exam may not be used to replace your quiz, lab, or program grades.
    
    
• Lab Section
  Your lab section will be used for hands-on programming activities. These activities may be structured or unstructured, individual or collaborative, and may vary between the three lab sections. You should come to lab with your Java book(s) and notes and be ready to write code for the entire period. Bring storage media to lab to put your work on, and be sure to back up your work on your home computer.
  
  
  • Lab Participation
    You are expected to stay for the entire lab period and remain focused on the assigned tasks. Hopefully, you will feel that the lab is a non-threatening environment where you can work to improve your programming ability. Realize that there is a wide range in programming abilities and all students should work to do their individual best. Strong programmers who complete the task at hand may be asked to peer tutor their weaker classmates and/or work on other programs.
    
  • Lab Activities
    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 for help. There will be approximately 13 lab meetings and you will receive a 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 most students will complete the first part, but only the best programmers will complete all parts in lab. All parts must be attempted. Comment out non-functioning code before submitting for grade. Labs are due by midnight the following Friday. Grading will be as follows: Boolean -the average of your labs (multiplied by 100 to put it on a 100 point scale) will count 24% of your course grade.
    
  • Programming Projects
    There will be four programming projects. The third project will be a team project. You will be expected to complete the three individual projects outside of class. Programming projects will count 24% of your course grade. Specific instructions concerning due dates, late programs, assessment criteria, etc., will be given when the programs are assigned.
    
    
• 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
   

  90 - 100 A

  80 - 89.5 B

  70 - 79.5 C

  60 - 69.5 D

  If your course score falls just below a cutoff, a higher, + grade may be assigned solely at the discretion of the instructor.

Honor Code

It is the responsibility of every student to follow the UNCW Academic Honor Code (see Section V of your Student Handbook). You violate the honor code when you represent someone else's work as your own. Individual 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. Team programming assignments must be completed without collaboration with other teams. 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.

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.

The following resources are available at UNCW:

• UNCW Labs
   

Students with Disabilities

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 with the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with your instructor to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.