Course ObjectivesCourse DescriptionLearning ObjectivesCourse Material and AnnouncementsClass LecturesCourse Webpage and elearningEmailTextbookGradingCourse ComponentsGrading ScaleClass Participation and SuccessAsking QuestionsStudying for the courseThe Good, the Bad, and the UglyThe GoodThe BadThe UglyAcademic integrityAggie Code of Honor (http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor)PlagiarismAmerican with Disabilities ActModifications to the syllabusCSCE 110: Programming IFall 2011August 29, 2011Instructor: Dr. Tiffani L. Williams, HRBB 328C (office), 845-7977 (phone)Email: [email protected]: MWF 9:10am–10:00am, HRBB 124Office Hours: Tuesday: 4:30pm-5:30pm, Friday: 2:30pm–3:30pm, and by appointment1 Course Objectives1.1 Course DescriptionThis is an introductory course designed for any student interested in using computation to enhancetheir problem solving abilities. No prior experience in programming is necessary. Students will usetheir problem solving abilities to implement programs in Python. More specifically as stated inthe course catalog, this course will cover basic concepts, nomenclature and historical perspective ofcomputers and computing; internal representation of data; software design principles and practices;use of terminals, operation of editors and execution of student-written programs.1.2 Learning Objectives1. Develop a basic understanding of programming and the Python programming language.2. See the value of programming in a variety of different disciplines – especially as it relates toyour other college courses.3. Appreciate the value of experimentation.4. Be comfortable with the fact that there is more than one right solution to a problem.5. Have fun!2 Course Material and Announcements2.1 Class LecturesMost of the material that you will need for this class will be presented in the class lecture. Thus, itis extremely important that you attend every class.2.2 Course Webpage and elearningThe definitive source for course announcements, reading assignments, reference materials, and classhandouts is the course web page and elearning.• http://faculty.cse.tamu.edu/tlw/Courses/fall11/csce110• http://elearning.tamu.edu/Please consult the course webpage and elearning regularly as they will both be updated throughoutthe semester.2.3 EmailOccasionally, I will send email to the class. So, please make sure you check your email regularly aswell.2.4 TextbookThere is no textbook for this course. However, there are many good references that are availableonline that you may find helpful while studying the material.• Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist by Allen B. Downeyhttp://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkpython.html• Dive into Python by Mark Pilgrimhttp://www.diveintopython.org/3 Grading3.1 Course ComponentsYour grade will be based on three components.• Exams (45%) – There will be three, fifty minute exams and a comprehensive final exam. Eachof the fifty minute exams will be worth 10% each for a total of 30%. The final exam is atwo hour comprehensive exam worth 15%.– The dates of the three, fifty minute exams are not scheduled yet. However, the dateswill be announced at least 2 weeks before the exam to give everyone sufficient time toprepare.– The final exam will be December 9th from 10am to noon in HRBB 124.• Quizzes (15%) – There will be short, weekly in-class quizzes every Monday consisting of a fewsimple questions concerning the course material. The purpose of the quizzes is to help youstay caught up in the class. The first quiz will be on Monday, September 5th.• Lab assignments and homework (40%) – Lab assignments and homework will help studentsunderstand the course material, provide practical experience programming experience, andhelp improve problem-solving abilities.3.2 Grading Scale• 90% – 100% A• 80% – 89% B• 70% – 79% C• 60% – 69% D• 59% and below F24 Class Participation and Success4.1 Asking QuestionsIt is extremely important for you to be engaged in the course. Otherwise, you will fall asleep andwonder what happened to your tuition dollars. So, I encourage you to ask questions during lecture.When asking a question, please stand up and also state your name so that I know who you are.4.2 Studying for the courseThis is not an easy course because you are essentially learning a new language; a new way ofcommunicating your thoughts to the computer.To meet our learning objectives, I will keep you busy with programming projects, quizzes, andexams. You must be totally engaged in the course. But, more importantly, if you get lost early inthe course, it is really difficult (if not impossible) to recover. It’s like your math courses. If youdon’t know how to add, it will be impossible to learn how to multiply. Learning to program issimilar. As a result, there are multiple ways that feedback is built into the course to help move youalong in the course without getting lost. However, you are responsible for putting in the time tostudy and seeking help when you don’t understand the material.If you put in the time, this course is designed for you to succeed. How much time should you bestudying? One rule of thumb states that you should study 2 hours per credit hour. Given that thisis a 4 credit course, that translates into 8 hours. However, I’ll round that up to at least 10 hoursonce we start writing more interesting programs.5 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly5.1 The GoodThis is one of my favorite courses to teach. My philosophy (which is shared with many of mycolleagues) is that learning to programming (and learning computational thinking) is an essentialskill given the ubiquity of computing. So, the first good related to this course is that you have aprofessor that is excited about teaching the material. The second good is that you will learn a skillthat will be useful to you in life but more immediately in your other classes. And, maybe a thirdgood is that you can understand your geeky friends or bosses (if you have such people in your life)better.For many of you, learning to program will be uncomfortable at first, but the reward at the endis that you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and a skill that hopefully transfers to otherareas of your life.5.2 The BadThis is a large class. So, I will not have a chance to meet or know many of you personally. Asa result of such a large class (over 120 students), I show no mercy when it comes to assignments,exams, and quizzes. The three rules to remember are:•
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