CS112 – Intro to Computer Programming (Fall 2009 – Lecture Sections 001, 002, 003)

 

Course Outcomes

- An ability to use procedural programming language concepts including expressions, decision statements, simple data types, Boolean logic, input/output, loop constructs, and procedures.

- An ability to combine programming techniques to solve problems of varying degrees of difficulty

- An ability to refine computer programs through testing and debugging to ensure proper operation.

- An ability to find and understand programming language documentation to learn new information needed to solve programming problems.

Prerequisite

Satisfaction of prerequisites for MATH 113

Instructor

Dr. Heishman  /  Office: Engineering (Rm. 5343)  /  Email: rheishma@gmu.edu  /  Phone: 703-993-1543   Office Hours: M/W (10:30 - 11:30, 12:15 - 1:15), T (3:15 - 4:15) or by appt.

Textbook

Python Programming, for the absolute beginner (2nd ed.) by Michael Dawson

Websites

CS faculty site: http://cs.gmu.edu/~rheishman/                     Blackboard: http://courses.gmu.edu

Email

Students must use GMU email system for all correspondence with instructor. Email must use the following subject format: CS112-00x : Student_Name (Failure to adhere to this policy will result in returned emails). All assignments will be submitted via Blackboard unless otherwise noted.

Grading

500 points total: 10 Labs (18%), 5 Quizzes (8%) Lecture/Lab Attendance (9%), 2 Programming projects (20%), Midterm Exam (20%), Final Exam (25%). Final course grades will be calculated as follows:

 

-    A+ (³ 490 pts.), A (³ 460 pts.), A- (³ 450 pts.)             -    D  (³ 300 pts.)

-    B+ (³ 440 pts.), B (³ 410 pts.), B- (³ 400 pts.)             -    F  (< 300 pts.)

-    C+ (³ 390 pts.), C (³ 360 pts.), C- (³ 350 pts.)

Lecture / Readings

Lecture attendance is required. Students are responsible for reading and understanding all assigned material (in text, on Internet, etc.), which may or may not be covered explicitly in class. Readings must be completed prior to the assigned lecture/lab. Questions and clarifications regarding material should be presented in class, during instructor/GTA/UTA office hours or via Blackboard discussions.

Labs

Lab attendance is required. Students must attend and participate in the lab for which they are registered, unless prior permission is granted by lab GTA. Quizzes (unannounced) will be administered during lab sessions. Missed labs result in zero credit for quizzes administered during that session (no make-ups). The lowest of the 5 quiz grades will be dropped. Lab assignments are due one week from the start time of the lab in which they are assigned. The lowest of the 10 lab grades will be dropped. Lab assignments  (e.g., algorithms, techniques, etc.) may be discussed with other students, but code may not be shared.  

Projects

Programming projects are considered strictly individual efforts, therefore no sharing of code and/or discussion of algorithms or problem solution is allowed with anyone except lab GTA, UTA or instructor.

Late submissions

Assignments must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for full credit. Late lab assignments will not be accepted. Late projects will be tolerated, but are subject to a penalty of 20% per day (measured in 24-hour increments from time due). No assignment will be accepted for credit after last class meeting.

Contested Grades

Contesting of grades on any/all submissions must be requested within one week of the itemÕs return. No changes will be considered subsequent to that deadline.

Exams

Exams are closed book/notes unless specified otherwise by instructor. Appropriate documentation (as determined by instructor) and requisite permissions are required for make-up exam requests. Picture IDs are required to take all exams. Note: A failing grade on the final exam (<60%) will result in a failing grade (F) for the entire course, regardless of performance on other assignments.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the GMU Honor Code. This policy is rigorously enforced. All class-related assignments are considered individual efforts unless explicitly expressed otherwise (in writing). Review the university honor code and discuss any questions regarding the policies with instructor.

Electronic
Devices

All electronic devices must be turned off during lecture. This includes (but is not limited to) computers, cell phones, music devices, and PDAs).

Learning
Disabilities

Students with a learning disability or other condition (documented with GMU Office of Disability Services) that may impact academic performance should speak with instructor ASAP to discuss accommodations.