COURSE GUIDELINES

Fall 2006, CIS C071.002 Introduction to Computing and Computer Programming

Instructor: Slobodan Vucetic. Office: Wachman Hall, Rooms 304

SUMMARY OF COURSE GOALS:

Editorial Note: This document is not intended to scare you. Rather, it is intended to lay some ground rules for how this course will be conducted and what my expectations are for the course. I will be asking you about your expectations as well, as soon as we have our first meeting.

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OBJECTIVES:

· The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to and ample exercise with the basic concepts of writing good computer programs -- programs that are concise, clear, easy to read, test and modify.

· Numerous program examples will be illustrated in class, and a number of programming problems will be assigned.

· All programs will be implemented in the C programming language.

· Programming is hard for most of us. It involves planning and problem solving -- making good decisions about various strategies to follow in mapping out a solution to a problem. Mostly, it requires precision and patience. We will provide suggested methodologies and tools that should make it any easier to build a firm grounding in the discipline of programming.

GRADES:

· Lab Assignments (25%), 2 Midterm Exams (25%), Final Exam (30%), Quizzes (15%), Miscellaneous (attendance, etc.) (5%).

· These percentages are approximate, and can be expected to vary slightly depending upon individual circumstances, and strengths and weaknesses in student background.

EXAMS:

· Exams are open book. The content is cumulative, covering material up to the day of the exam.

· If you miss a midterm (there will be two) for an emergency [as agreed ahead of time with the instructor] the other exams will become proportionally more important. If you miss any exam without prior agreement and without definitive proof as to the legal or medical reasons, you will get a zero for that exam grade.

· The final exam is mandatory on the scheduled day.

· Exams will be designed to test your understanding of the C language, the design and programming methods and processes used in class, and other relevant material about computers including operating systems, electronic mail, the use of the World Wide Web, editors, compilers, loaders, etc.

LAB and HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

· You will be assigned roughly one laboratory each week.

· Each lab must be turned on time and sent electronically to the TA, unless otherwise instructed. Lab assignments will be graded and commented upon by the TA usually before the next assignment is due.

· Attendance for the full period of each laboratory is MANDATORY. Labs are graded numerically by the grader.

· Late labs will not be accepted except in the case of documented emergencies. Turn in what you have done on the due date, along with an explanation of what has been done and what has not been done.

· I encourage all students to discuss assignments with me, the lab assistants, and with other students in the class. HOWEVER, unless you have a group assignment, you are expected to work and complete all the homework on your own. Plagiarism will be handled with severe measures.

· Your lab assignments are intended to help YOU learn about the art and science of computer programming. For most students in the class, doing the reading and the programming assignments is the only way you will master the concepts and ideas discussed; it is most surely the only way you will learn about programming.

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM CONDUCT:

1. Come to class on time or eventually you may find that you are not welcome at all.

2. Be prepared -- you will be helped considerably if you do the reading assignments on time. If you can stay a bit ahead in the reading you will be even better off.

3. Ask questions in class. I can’t tell what is being learned and what is causing trouble if you don’t ask questions.

4. If you miss class, please obtain notes and missed assignments from your fellow classmates. If there is anything that you do not understand, I will be happy to help you, but you have to make the first effort to make up the work.

5. Once class has begun, unless you have an emergency, please remain seated unless asked to come to the board. It is very distracting to have students walking in and out of class in the middle of a class. It is also RUDE.

6. I will not give a grade of incomplete except under extraordinary conditions.

CHEATING:

Academic cheating (such as plagiarism, copying during an exam, copying assignments, stealing files and passwords, etc.) is strictly prohibited in this course. The penalty for the offense will normally be an F in the course and may also be referred to the University Disciplinary Committee. No collusion what-so-ever during an exam will be tolerated. In particular, no talking or other sharing of information (for example during open book exams) is permitted. Keep your eyes on YOUR paper.

IGNORANCE OF ACCEPTABLE GUIDELINES OF CONDUCT IS NO EXCUSE. Your Temple Student Handbook has information on this subject -- I expect everyone to read it as part of your first assignment. You can find the handbook by going to the Temple Portal. Once in the Portal: Click on Links for Students, under Academic Support click on Dean of Students, click on Orientation, click on the Judiciary pull down menu and click on Code of Conduct. Please re-familiarize yourself with this material.

YOUR PASSWORD:

Your password is your unique "key" to your computing resources. Please treat this password as your own personal property -- that's exactly what it is! Misuse of your password may result in the removal of your computing access privileges.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

You may withdraw from this course (with a grade of "W passing") at any time prior to the "magic date" specified by the University. I will generally try to give, grade, and return the SECOND MIDTERM in time for you to make a decision about what to do if you are not happy with your progress in the course. Students who simply "drop out" of class without formally withdrawing will receive a grade of F.

PERSONAL ISSUES:

Faculty (including me), advisors, and the staff in the Office of the Dean of Students are here to help you. If, during the course of the semester, you have personal issues that are making it difficult for you to meet your course obligations, it is important that you communicate with these folks and that you do so in a timely manner. Attempting to recover from such difficulties after the fact will be far more difficult.

STUDENTS with DISABILITIES:

Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact the office of Disability Resources and Services as soon as possible (215-204-1280). The staff at this office is most prepared and willing to discuss privately specific situations and to provide whatever guidance and assistance would be helpful. Disability issues raised after the fact make it very difficult for anyone to be accommodating.

A final note:

In signing up for this course, you have signed a contract to do the work that is required and to fully participate in course activities, including all labs, quizzes, and exams. I expect you to live up to your end of the bargain. You will be graded according to how well you satisfy course requirements. If you have any questions, please see me. This is hard work, but it also can be a lot of fun. Thanks.

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CERTIFICATION (Please sign below and return to Dr. Vucetic in the next class):

I hereby certify that I have read and I understand all materials included in the CIS C071 Course Guidelines Document.

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