This course is the introductory computer programming course for non-CISC majors. The student completing this course should be comfortable working interactively with a computer and have a general knowledge of the components of a computer system. In addition, the student will learn the fundamentals of algorithm design and algorithm implementation. This course is also appropriate for those considering a CISC major, but are not ready for CISC 181. Note that this is a PROGRAMMING course; although no prior programming knowledge is assumed, it is important to know this is NOT a course in computer literacy or the use of application software. Significant work outside of class, writing and debugging programs, is expected and required. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task.
| Instructor: | Jeffrey A. Six |
| Office: | 219 Mitchell Hall |
| Office Hours: | TR 6.15p - 6.45p and W 10.00a - 11.00a |
| Electronic Mail: | jeffsix@udel.edu |
| Web: | http://www.cis.udel.edu/~six |
Textbooks:
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Programming Projects | 30% |
| Lab and Homework Assignments | 20% |
Exams - There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all of the material covered in class.
Lab Assignments - Lab assignments will be started, and in some cases completed, during the scheduled lab classes. Normally, each assignment is due by the beginning of your next lab class. Most labs involve writing or modifying C programs. Each lab will focus on a particular concept discussed in the text or in class, and helps you to complete the programming assignments.
Homework Assignments - Homework assignments consist of exercises designed to give you practice in applying information covered in the text or in class. Homeworks usually do not require the use of a computer, although frequently a computer can be used to check your answers. Homeworks will be handed out in class, and are due at the beginning of the next calendar week's lab session.
Programming Assignments - Programming assignments consist of applying several of the concepts from labs and classes. You must write your own computer program that will be compiled, tested and debugged. There will be three programming assignments throughout the course. You will be given 2-3 weeks to complete each programming assignment. Program grades are based on program design, correct execution, appropriate comments, properly formatted output, and proper program style.
Attendance - Attendance at lectures and labs is required. Poor attendance almost always results in poor performance. Exams missed because of excused absences will be handled at the instructor's discretion. Any absence on the day of an exam must be pre-approved by the instructor, A MINIMUM OF THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXAM. In the event of an unexcused absence, a score of zero will be given on that exam; this includes any absence that has not been pre-approved by the instructor. The decision to excuse an absence is made solely by the instructor.
Late Submission of Assignments - An assignment's due date will be clealy specified when the assignment is made. Late assignments will be penalized unless an extension is granted by the instructor. Note that only the instructor, not the TA, may grant an extension. Everyone should try their best to submit all assignments on their due dates. However, there are various circumstances that may prevent a student from completing an assignment on time. Therefore, late assignments will be penalized 10% per 24 hour period, or fraction thereof. No special previsions will be made for weekends. Late assignments will be acceptable up to one week late. After one week, late assignments will no longer be accepted, and a score of zero will be assessed. An assignment is considered turned in when it is physically in the hands of the instructor or the TA or in the instructor's mailbox. When handing in a late assignment, hand it into the mailbox of the instructor and write the day and time of submission at the time you place it into the mailbox. This date/time indication is considered part of the assignment and is subject to the academic honesty expectations, as discussed below. This policy is applicable to lab, homework, and programming assignments.
Grading Errors - Sometimes, mistakes do occur in the grading of assignments. After a graded assignment has been returned, you have one week to submit a request to have it regraded. This request must be in writing and include the original assignment, as well as a brief description of your dispute with the grade. Such a request should be submitted directly to the instructor. After one week, no requests for assignment regrading will be considered.
Academic Honesty - For many students, this is the first time you will be programming a computer and the first time you will be debugging computer programs. Hence, you need to learn what is allowed behavior and what is not. When your program does not work, the first thing to do is use your book and notes to try and figure out the problem yourself. The second and third things to do are to try and figure out the problem yourself. At this point, you may ask the assistance of the the course instructor, the TA, a classmate or friend to help you identify and understand the specific problem. You may discuss, in general terms, the general approach to solving a programming problem. Once the discussion progresses to specific programming issues, such as the types of variables to use, control structures, etc... you must end any collaboration. This means that you may NOT: (1) compare answers to any assignment before it is turned in, (2) supervise a classmate typing in a program or having a classmate supervise you typing in a program, (3) copy, or allow another student to copy, a file that contains another student's assignment, (4) work together on an assignment, and (5) editing a script file and submitting it as an original transcript of your computer session. Any evidence of performing any form of academic misconduct will be appropriately handled as stated in the Official Student Handbook of the University of Delaware. If you are in doubt as to whether or not a behavior is permitted, please ask the instructor beforehand!