CS 127 - Computer Science I - Fall 2009

Description

This course serves as an introduction to computer science (CS) as a field, to computer programming as a skill (an art, many would say), and to some of the tools commonly used when programming. We will answer the questions "What is computer science?", "What are computers?", and "What can we do with them?"

Programming is a fundamental part of CS, and we will spend a great deal of time learning how to program. We'll start with a simple one-line program and work towards incorporating many of the tools and techniques that allow people to create complex, valuable code like operating systems, video games, and search engines (but we won't quite be ready to make those, yet). Along the way, we'll learn some "tools of the trade," specifically focused on the Unix command-line shell and programming environments.

Upon completing this course, you will have a good understanding of what CS is, including the diverse branches of study and practice contained within it; you will be comfortable working in a Unix command-line environment; you will understand the fundamental concepts and constructs of programming; and you will be able to create simple programs that make a computer do what you want it to do, giving you a much greater degree of control over it than you had previously. Of course, you will also be well prepared to continue on to other courses in computer science or in other areas that involve programming.

For an idea of the specific topics covered in the course, see the rough schedule for the semester.

Details

When/Where: MWF 9:00-9:50AM / CNS E210

Instructor: Mark Liffiton
Office: CNS C207B
Office Hours: MWF 10-11; TR 11-12; TR 2-3; (by appointment only: MW 2-3)
Contact: Email is preferred (please start the subject with "CS127:"). For more pressing matters, my office # is 309-556-3535.

TA: Scott Tesler
Office Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed 7-9pm, CNS E210
Contact: stesler@iwu.edu

Textbook: Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science by John Zelle (example programs available at that site)
ISBN: 1887902996

Other Pages

Programming grading rubric — describes how programming assignments will be graded.

Semester schedule — tentative - see the Moodle for up-to-date details.

Online References — some will be assigned reading, others provide alternative sources or general reference.

Moodle — assignments, quizzes, announcements, and other online resources will be here.

Bilingual CS1

We will primarily be using the Python programming language in this class, with one section done using Processing, instead. This will provide a somewhat "bilingual" introduction to programming, which will give you a better understanding of the material and better prepare you for future work. Learning the same concept with two different languages will help separate the concept from the syntax of any particular language. Not only can this make the concept clearer, but it can make it easier to apply it in new languages in the future.

Therefore, I encourage you to make the course fully bilingual and learn another language alongside Python for the whole course. I'll help anyone who wants to do this. It is not required — it is solely for your benefit — and the reading, lectures, assignments, and exams will all focus on Python. Grades will only be assigned for the "regular" work done in Python and Processing, but I will also help with and correct any work done in another language. I can provide assistance for C, C++, C#, Java, and potentially other languages alongside Python (I recommend Java). In addition to the benefits mentioned above, learning a language now that is used in a later course will save you time later and let you focus more on the topic of the advanced course. Come talk to me if you're interested.

Grading

The final grade will be based on the following breakdown:

Assignments	15%
Quizzes	15%
Exam 1	15%
Exam 2	20%
Final Exam	25%
Engagement	10%

Assignments

Assignments will be posted on the course's Moodle site, usually about a week before they are due, and they will be collected there as well. Submissions should be in the form of plain text or PDF*. I will aim to get them graded and returned to you by the following week.

Your lowest assignment score will be dropped.

Late Policy

Assignments will be due at set times; they will be considered late at any point after that time. An assignment will lose 20% of the total points for every day it is late.

Assignments can't be accepted at all after solutions have been handed out or the graded work has been returned to the class.

Quizzes

Quizzes will be held in class, and there will be roughly 10 over the semester. Your lowest two quiz scores will be dropped.

Exams

There will be two exams during the semester, held in class. The final is currently scheduled for Thursday, December 10, from 10:15am - 12:15pm.

Curving/Scaling

As you may have heard from other teachers: If everyone does well, that's great! I'm not going to lower anyone's grade to fit some predetermined grade distribution. However, scores given on individual quizzes and exams (especially exams) may not translate directly into a letter grade on the traditional scale. As explained quite well here:

"A percentage shows how much of a particular exam was dealt with successfully, but what test is so perfect that it could completely determine extent of knowledge or ability? If a student gets a grade of 90%, it does not mean they know 90% of everything in the subject. Wise students will begin to look at scores as a place on a continuum of achievement rather than analysis carved in stone."

Regrading

If you would like to request a regrade, submit a request in writing (via email) within one week of receiving the graded assignment, exam, etc. Indicate exactly which part you believe deserves a different score and why.

Engagement / Attendance

Class time will be complementary to the reading, and you will need both in order to learn all of the material in this class. Furthermore, each student benefits from the engagement of all others in the class. Ten points of your final grade will be based on that engagement. Attending every class period on time and prepared will earn a base of 7 points; points can be gained by constructive participation, in class or out, such as asking questions, answering them, responding in the forum, sharing insights or useful/interesting resources with the class (posting in the forum, for example), etc.; and points can be lost for excessive (more than 3) unexcused absences, disrupting class (e.g., regularly showing up late), dominating the conversation, and the like.

Absences can be excused with documentation from health services or the Dean of Students' office, or if arrangements are made with me more than a week in advance. In general, if you know you will be missing a class, let me know as soon as you can.

Working with Others

I strongly encourage you to form study groups with your classmates, compare notes, explain concepts to one another, and generally help each other learn the material in this course.

You may discuss assignments with other people, but anything you turn in for a grade needs to reflect your own understanding. For every assignment, you should write a brief statement at the beginning indicating who you collaborated with and what help each person provided (e.g., if one person explained a particular idea to everyone else). Simply copying answers and giving away solutions are not allowed. The following show an example of collaborating badly and the same example changed a bit to become good collaboration:

BAD:
Jane: "Oh! We need to use all three variables in the conditional. It's going to look like this..."
Jim: "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'll write it down."

GOOD:
Jane: "Oh! We need to use all three variables in the conditional. It's going to look like this..."
Jim: "I have no idea what you're talking about. Could you explain that some more?"

Try to follow this rule of thumb: No matter what help you received figuring out the concepts involved, when you turn something in you should be able to reproduce the whole thing, working through the assignment again, without any outside help.

For details on the university's policies regarding academic honesty, please read the sections of the student handbook on conduct, cheating, and plagiarism here.

End-of-Syllabus Advice

Come to office hours. If there is one thing I wish I had done more during my undergraduate education, that's it. If something in class or in the book isn't clear, the one-on-one interaction of office hours is a great way to work it out. Even if you feel you understand the material well, you can cement your understanding by hearing a different explanation or by providing your own to another student. In general, the more we interact, and not just during the class session, the better the semester will be for all of us.