Computer Science 1

CIS 121

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Mayer

   Office: ICT - 122

   Email-ECC:  gmayer@elgin.edu

   Phone ECC:  (847) 214-7961

   Email-Home: GlennMayer@FoxValley.net

Textbook: Problem Solving with C++ (4th Edition) Walter Savitch

• If you have a computer at home you will want the book with the Visual C++ CD. You will also need a few 3 ½” diskettes.

Class Description:

 This course is an introduction to computer programming, emphasizing a disciplined approach to problem-solving and algorithm development. Students will learn program design and structured programming techniques using selection, repetition, and sequence control structures. Topics will include storage and variables, procedural and data abstraction, parameter passing, arrays, data files, program testing, documentation, and proper programming style. This course will be taught using the C++ programming language.

Typical Class Schedule:

 Monday

   9:00 - 9:10 Quiz

   9:10 - 9:30 Review Quiz / Review Homework / Questions

   9:30 - 10:30 Lecture

   10:30 - 10:40 Homework Assignments

 Wednesday

   9:00 - 9:10 Questions

   9:10 - 10:40 Programming Lab time

Reading Assignments:

 At the end of each Monday class, a reading assignment will be given. The assignment will cover material that will be presented in the next Wednsday lecture. By reading the material first, and having time to think about it, the student will be in a better position to ask questions during the lecture.

Quizzes:

 In order to insure that students who are doing the reading assignments get credit for their effort, a short quiz will be given at the beginning of each Monday class. The questions will cover material in the reading assignment as well as material from previous classes. There will be no opportunities for re-taking missed quizzes. If you miss it due to lateness or absence from class it will be marked as a zero. Since anyone can have a few bad days, the lowest 3 quizzes will be dropped when calculating the final grade. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. Quizzes will count for about 1/5 of the final grade. Quizzes will be open notes but closed book.

Programming Assignments:

 There will be approximately 14 take-home (20 points each) and 14 in-class (10 points each) programming assignments throughout the semester. Each will be a relatively short program that will use concepts presented in class. The in-class programming assignments are to be done in class, if you miss a lab you will get a 0 for the in-class program. Late in-class assignments are not accepted. You may not get every assignment 100% complete and correct, but it is essential that you hand in at least your partial work. Each assignment will be graded on three aspects: (1) Clarity and correctness of the solution and code (40%), (2) Clarity of the documentation (comments and variable name selection) (40%), and (3) Clarity and correctness of the program’s output (20%). Late take-home assignments will be accepted up to two weeks late but will receive only half credit. A partially working program on time is better than a fully working program that is late. (As an interesting side note, this is true in the working world as well as in the classroom. Bill Gates became the richest person in the world by selling partially working programs). I encourage you to correct non-working programs and hand them in again for additional credit. You must turn in the graded original with the corrected version and a cover sheet. For example, If your original program received 6 out of 10 points and the corrected version received 10 out of 10 points, you would receive 8 points for the final grade. (The two grades will be averaged). Each student is expected to do his or her own program. You may consult with other students, but do not copy their code. The penalty for plagiarism is minimally a zero on the assignment for all parties involved, and may be failure for the course or dismissal from the college. (As another interesting side note, this is the exactly the opposite of the working world where such activity is called "reuse" and is highly encouraged). As with the quizzes, to prevent a few bad programming assignments from marring an otherwise good grade, the lowest 3 take-home and the lowest 3 in-class programming assignments will be dropped when calculating the final grade. Programming assignments will count for about 3/5 of the final grade.

Final Exam:

 There will be a final exam on the last day of class that will be a mix of questions and programming tasks. The final exam will count for about 1/5 of the final grade. The final exam will be open notes but closed book.

Grading:

 The final grade will be based upon the percentage of points earned on your quizzes programming assignments, and final exam. The following scale will be used to assign a letter grade:

 A 100-90

 B 89-80

 C 79-70

 D 69-60

 

Attendance:

 You are expected to attend class! If you must miss class, call my office phone and leave a message or send email. Unless previous arrangements have been made due to extenuating circumstances, after four absences the instructor has the right to drop you from the class with a failing grade. You are also expected to be on time! Arriving late to class disrupts the entire class.

Behavior:

 You are expected to conduct yourself as an adult at all times. You will show respect for your fellow students and instructor. In particular, you should make sure your activities do not disturb the classroom setting. Talking while the instructor is lecturing, having a cell-phone or pager beeping, or leaving the classroom in the middle of a lecture is distracting to the other students. During the lecture you are expected to be listening to the lecture and not doing other classwork or using the computer.

8/25/03