CSc 74 Introduction to Programming Methodology

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CSc 74 Introduction to Programming Methodology Spring Semester 2010 This is a copy of Fall 2009's syllabus. Dates, times, locations will be chang ed later, but no other changes are currently planned.

Instructor: Dave Mentis E-mail: [email protected] Phone: Office - 341-4965. Website: http://web.mst.edu/~davem Sections: Section A: MTWR 12:40 - 1:40 MCS 202 Office: CSc 309. Office Hours: MTWR 12:10 - 12:40 & 2:50 - 3:20, or by appointment (for your convenience), or drop in anytime! Text book: Problem Solving With C++, The Object of Programming - Seventh Edition, Walter Savitch. Course Objective: To learn the fundamentals of programming, and to learn the basics of the C++ programming language. Note : This course is for non-computer science majors / minors / related fields who do NOT have to take CSc 153. To take CSc 153, you MUST take 53/54!! 78 Lab: You should be dually enrolled in a section of CSc 78. Note that these are separate courses to enroll in, and they receive separate grades, but 78 is coordinated with this course (74), so it is helpful if you are enrolled in both courses simultaneously. Attendance:Attendance in class is mandatory. You will be responsible for all the material presented in class and otherwise designated (such as reading material.) Come to class on time and be prepared. If you miss class for some reason, it is your responsibility to find out what you've missed. If you miss more than three classes, I WILL drop you from the class. (If you wish to drop the class, don't assume that I will do it automatically when you stop coming to class. Please bring me a drop slip to sign.) Be responsible for your actions. Dates that classes are in session are well published: don't ask me if you can miss a class because you want to leave for vacation early. Classroom Conduct:Please turn off cell phones, pagers, and the like, unless you are an emergency responder(EMT, fireman, etc.), in which case please let me know in advance. Above all else, I have one large pet peeve -- DO NOT DISRUPT ME OR YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES BY HOLDING SIDE DISCUSSIONS WHILE I'M TEACHING. Material covered:See http://web.mst.edu/~davem/CSc74/sch.post.txt for a listing of the topics to be covered and the associated dates. This listing is tenative. There will possibly be changes as the summer progresses, and I will inform you as these occur. Grading: Exams -- 37.5 % (3 x 12.5 %) Programs -- 50 % Quizes -- 12.5 %

http://web.mst.edu/~davem/CSc74/syll.spring2010.html

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CSc 74 Introduction to Programming Methodology

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The grading scale is as follows: 90 - 100 % == A 80 - 89.99 % == B 70 - 79.99 % == C 60 - 69.99 % == D Below 60 % == F As you can see above, your grade will be determined by your performance on tests, quizzes, and regularly assigned programs (note that these are separate from your CSc 78 (lab) programs.) Quizzes may be given at any time. They may or may not be announced in advance, so keep up with your reading! While the quizzes are a set percentage of your grade, the number of quizzes is not determined a priori. I will drop your two lowest quiz scores. Exams are given in class, on the days listed in the schedule of events (if these dates change, you will be informed at least one week in advance.) You may not make up a missed exam unless you have acceptable and verifiable reasons for missing class that day. 'Acts of God' (e.g. death in the family, being hit by a large truck, etc) are acceptable. A faulty alarm clock, being passed out from inebriation, and the like won't work! Do not ask me to take a makeup exam early -- they are only given after the fact. If you do have to have a makeup exam, as soon as possible read my web page at http://web.mst.edu/~davem/CSc74/Makeup.txt and follow those instructions. Programs:Any assigned programs are due at the START of class time. I will drop your one lowest program score. Late programs First late: 10% penalty if late, but in by two class periods later. No credit thereafter. Subsequent lates: 30% penalty if late, but in by two class periods later. No credit thereafter. Low Grades:A score below 60 % on any exam requires you to come to my office and speak with me so we may discuss what action(s) to take to guarantee you a better grade in the future. If I need to see you and you don't come see me, I WILL drop you. If at any point in the semester after the first exam your average falls below 70%, you will need to come to my office so that you and I can discuss the difficulties you are having with the course. It is very important to me that you earn the best grade in this class that you are capable of earning. I will do all that I can to help you. Exam dates: We will have all three exams in the room we normally meet in, at class time, as follows : Exam 1 -- (see schedule of events) Exam 2 -- (see schedule of events) Exam 3 -- (see schedule of events) Check Email:I sometimes send messages concerning class via e-mail, so check your email regularly (at least once, and preferably twice a day.) Please note that I do NOT check email at home. Final Exam: There will be a comprehensive final exam, given at the time indicated in the Revised Schedule of Classes, Fall 2009 (date announced later). It is *** OPTIONAL ***. It can be used to replace a missing test score and/or raise your grade. The formula for your overall exam grade (OEG) is ... OEG = Max((E1 + E2 + E3) / 3, (E1 + E2 + E3 + 2 * Final - Min (E1,E2,E3))/4). This allows students who are happy with their pre-final grade to skip the final, and those that want to try to raise their grade may do so, without risk of lowering their pre-final grade. Help: It is very important to me that everyone in this class is successful in learning programming. If I say something in lecture or lab that raises questions, please ask about it!! It is very likely I have confused many people. Please take advantage of my office hours, as well -- as indicated above, you can come by any time!! Additional Contact: I'll do my best to address any questions/concerns you have about this class -- please don't hesitate to

http://web.mst.edu/~davem/CSc74/syll.spring2010.html

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ask. If there are questions/concerns about the course I'm unable to resolve to your satisfaction, please contact my departmental chair, Dr. Ali Hurson. His office is in 325C CSc Building. His email is [email protected] Study Hints: Read, and answer questions from my online notes in advance of class(on my web page.) Read textbook assignments, and answer Self-Test questions from the textbook in advance of class. Attend Lecture/Lab and do programs. Take advantage of Office hours. (Mine, lab TA's). Lab help in room 207. LEAD tutors. Integrity/Ethics: DON'T CHEAT!! In response to a first offense, I will give you a zero (0) for the assignment and lower your semester grade one letter and notify your advisor and the Primary Administrative Officer. A second offense will get you ejected from the class. I expect you to do your own work. This means that you should not work with another student on your programs; I want to see your work. Do not work with others and turn in duplicates. Do not turn in work that you did not write (including material copied from the internet or other sources.) Don't try to fool me (or the graders.) You are free to ask questions of others and learn from your friends, but not to copy ideas and/or code. Do not let others copy from you. Other URL's suggested by the Vice Provost, Office of Undergraduate Studies: The following URL's may have additional information of interest to you: Academic Alert System: http://academicalert.mst.edu/ Disability Support Services: http://dss.mst.edu/ Academic Dishonesty: http://registrar.mst.edu/academicregs/ Syllabus Changes: I reserve the right to revise this syllabus as needed. If this occurs, you will be informed accordingly. Last Modified: 8/20/2009.

http://web.mst.edu/~davem/CSc74/syll.spring2010.html

10/30/2009