Computer Science 1

CIS 121

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Mayer

   Office: ICT - 122

   Email-ECC:  gmayer@elgin.edu

   Phone ECC:  (847) 214-7961

Textbook: Problem Solving with C++ (6th or 7th Edition) Walter Savitch

If you have a computer at home we can supply a Visual C++ CD. You will also need a flash drive to store your work. Please make a folder with the name “Please return to Your Name”. We will also do some reading from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.

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:

 Wednesday 6:30 - 6:40 Quiz

   6:40 - 7:00 Review Quiz / Review Homework / Questions

   7:00 - 8:00 Lecture

   8:00 - 8:10 Homework Assignments

   8:10 - 10:00 Programming Lab time

Reading Assignments:

 At the end of each class, a reading assignment will be given. The assignment will cover material that will be presented in the next class 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 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 2 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). Programs that were obviously thrown together at the last minute will not be graded and will be returned with a 0 for a grade. Programs that do not compile will be returned with a 0 for a grade. 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. You must resubmit assignments within two weeks of receiving the graded original. Late work must have a cover sheet as well (original grade 0). 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 2 take-home and the lowest 2 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 during the last week 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 circumstances will not allow you to attend class regularly, drop the class now. If you must miss class or arrive late, call my office phone and leave a message or send email. If a student is late or absent from class three or more times, the student will be dropped from class at the instructor’s discretion. You are also expected to be on time! Arriving late to class disrupts the entire class. A famous philosopher (Woody Allen) once said “90% of success is just showing up on time”.

Withdrawal Policy!

The school’s withdraw policy allows you to withdraw yourself from the class up to week 10. After that you are committed to complete the 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 ring, 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.

8/24/09

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