Course Particulars

Course Objectives

Our main emphasis will be on the study of the programming language C++, an extension of the widely used C language. C++ contains many features to support modern concepts in software engineering --- concepts that are not a part of C.

Our objectives in CISC 181 will be to

• Obtain a solid foundation in core C++, i.e., in those parts of C++ that correspond to C and C++ stream input/output.
• Discuss and learn essential aspects of good program design.
• Obtain an introduction to the concepts of object oriented programming, abstract data types, and reusable software through the study of C++ features like classes, overloading operators, inheritance, and polymorphism that support these concepts.
• Understand when and how these concepts can be effectively used to create ``reusable'' programs (or program components).
• Understand and effectively use memory management techniques.
• Obtain an introduction to some elementary data structures like stacks, queues, and lists. Understand their associated algorithms, and how to use them appropriately in applications.
• Further develop skills in testing and debugging.

Prerequisites

Texts

Required

Walter Savitch Absolute C++ , Fourth Edition, Addison-Wesley (2010).
The book has a companion website with some interesting resources for students. It can be found at http://wps.aw.com/aw_savitch_abc_4s/

You will need a unix text or resources as well. The one selected for the course is Andersen, Just Enough Unix Fifth Edition, 2006, MCG.
This book has been recommended to me for your use. Other books/resources are also available. You will need to be able to use unix well and you will continue to use it throughout the rest of your time in this department. Investing some time now will pay off.

I am going to use clickers in the class for class participation. You will need to get a clicker.

 

Tentative Topics and Calendar

Other Important Dates

Last day to register or to add courses, Tuesday, September 15

Freshman mid-term marking period ends, Friday, October 16

Last day to drop w/o penalty, Tuesday, October 27

Last CISC181 class-- Tuesday, December 8

Attendance

Grading

Daily/Weekly Homeworks

With most classes there will be a set of exercises assigned (usually from a textbook). These exercises will be due at the start of the following class (unless otherwise specified). In the beginning, these can be done on paper, however it is suggested that you do any involving programming on a machine.  Instructions for scripting your homework assignments/programs will be provided. Daily homeworks will be graded on a variable point scale (generally between 5 and 30 points). Because we will often discuss homeworks in class, they may not be turned in late (for a grade -- you may wish have them graded just to make sure you are understanding the material if you are late).

 

Labs

Each Thursday you will have a lab assignment to do during the lab session. The purpose of the lab is to familiarize yourself with various programming concepts, debugging tools, etc... with the benefit of a teaching assistant should you have any questions/concerns. The TA will come with a lab assignment to the lab. You are required to work on the lab at the lab time and will usually turn in the lab at the end of the lab session. In cases where you are unable to complete the lab during the alloted time, ***NEW*** you may turn in the assignment before 5:00pm on Friday (the day following the lab). All labs will be turned in using Sakai (https://sakai.udel.edu/portal). Attendance for the entire lab period is mandatory; you must be there at the start of lab and you may only leave lab early if you have turned in a completed lab assignment. Labs will be graded on a 10 point scale. Because we will often discuss labs in class, they may not be turned in late (for a grade -- you may wish have them graded just to make sure you are understanding the material if you are late).

 

WARNING: It is best to complete the lab during lab or immediately after (the labs are designed so that you should be able to complete them during the lab period). You will also generally have a homework assignment due for Tuesday's class.

 

Programs

There will be approximately 3 larger programming assignments. These you will be given several weeks to complete. We will be using the CC compiler on the ``composer'' machines.

 

The grading of the programs will be based on both their correctness and their clarity. The correctness concerns whether the program is complete and accurate (i.e., does it actually do what it is supposed to do?). The clarity of the program concerns the program documentation (including both comments and well-chosen function and variable names), the format, modularity, code structure, testing methodology, etc... Programs will be graded on a 100 point scale.

 

Exams

There will be three exams. These will be closed-book (though I may permit some notes to be used).

 

Course Grade

The following table indicates how the final grade will be calculated:

 

Class Participation	5%
Daily homeworks	10%
Labs	10%
Programming projects	25%
Test 1	15%
Test 2	15%
Final Exam	20%

 

 As an estimate of how the grades will be assigned, please refer to the table below. This table may be updated as is required during the semester. However, given a particular average, you may be assured that your grade will be no lower than that indicated by this table. If the final course average is

>= 92	=	A
>= 90 & < 92	=	A-
>= 88 & < 90	=	B+
>= 82 & < 88	=	B
>= 80 & < 82	=	B-
>= 78 & < 80	=	C+
>= 72 & < 78	=	C
>= 70 & < 72	=	C-
>= 68 & < 70	=	D+
>= 62 & < 68	=	D
>= 60 & < 62	=	D-
< 60	=	F

 

Special consideration will be given to students who fall just below a grade cut-off. The special consideration will take into account such factors as class participation, punctual completion of projects, ``bad days'' suffered in exams, and other intangibles. Such considerations will never lower your grade but can raise it.

 

There are invariably mistakes in grading exams and projects. After an exam or project is returned in class, you will have one week to submit a written request to have it re-graded. After one week no requests for grade changes will be considered. The request for re-grading should include the original paper and the reason and justification for re-grading.

Periodically (2 to 3 times during the semester) you will be given a ``snapshot'' of your grade (and an indication of where you stand with respect to the rest of the class). The intention is to not only allow you to see how you are doing in the class, but to make sure that there are no mistakes in the grading file. Please check your recorded grades against the snapshot and point out any inconsistencies within one week.

Late Policies

Any assignments turned in (on the due date but) after the specified time (e.g., for paper assignments, after they have been collected) will be considered 1 day late and will lose 5%. An additional 5% penalty will be added for each 24 hours after the due date. No assignment will be accepted more than 7 days late.

Late paper assignments may be turned in to my mailbox (in 103 Smith Hall or in 77-79 E. Delaware Avenue). You may also turn in assignments to my office (201 77-79 E. Delaware Avenue). Late assignments must include the time that they actually reach my box (and this you are on your honor to record correctly) as well as the computer date (if applicable).

Excuses for late assignments will be considered ONLY if I am notified in advance (preferably days in advance!). You may always reach me via email at mccoy@cis.udel.edu or by phone at 831-1956.
 

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Keeping up with the Work!

DO NOT GET BEHIND!! Do not leave assignments to the last minute (or get in the habit of turning in assignments late). Start assignment early and finish them early. Because you have assignments due almost every day, once you get behind it is difficult to catch up. Work that you do now will help build a solid foundation for your future classes!

Here is a file that I think you might find helpful. Prof. Caviness's 181 Success Tips This contains some nice advice for how to succeed in cisc181.
 

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Academic Honesty

Professor Caviness includes the following in some of his course policies and I thought you would benefit from it: Rather than simply following the rules because of the negative consequences if you do not, I hope that you will be inspired by values such as the following expressed by William Cobbett.

It is the mind that lives; and the length of life ought to be measured by the number and importance of our ideas; and not by the number of our days. Never, therefore esteem [persons] merely on account of their riches or their station. Respect goodness, find it where you may. Honor talent wherever you behold it unassociated with vice; but, honor it most when accompanied with exertion, and especially when exerted in the cause of truth and justice.

Faculty-Student Interaction

You are encouraged to make use of posted office hours. If, however, you have a time conflict with the office hours or if you run into difficulty at other times, please email me ( mccoy@cis.udel.edu) with a question or for an appointment. Please keep in mind that my schedule can be very busy at times. I will attempt to reply to email in a timely fashion, but please do not expect that I will be able to help if you have started the project late and are against a deadline.  Please be in the habit of starting the assignments early so that you can identify the difficulties (and hopefully discuss them during my office hours). 

Also, please make use of email for sending questions at any time. I will respond to them as soon as possible. I will also email the class -- especially in cases where something needs to be clarified in an assignment. Please check your email regularly even when you do not have a programming assignment due.
 

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