CS
101,
Survey
of
Computer Science
Winter 2012
|
|
Lecture: MWF 9:05-10:00
Lab: Th 1:25-4:30
Office Hours: M 3:30-5:30, F 3:30-5, or just knock! |
stoughj@wlu.edu, x8811 or (919) 357-0604 (txt welcm)
|
| Location: Reid 111 (Lecture), Parmly 405 (Lab) |
www.eg.bucknell.edu/~jvs008/teaching/CS101W12/CS101W12.html |
Course Schedule
Sakai
Overview
The main goal of
this course is to give you a broad overview of the discipline
of computer science. We do this by providing an introduction to several
major areas
of computer science.
We begin with the
notion of an algorithm, which is
a step by step method for solving a general class of problems. We study
some of the important algorithms of computer
science and learn how computer scientists classify algorithms according
to their efficiencies. Laboratories make
use of animations of some algorithms and allow the student to apply
classroom theory to predict run times for certain
algorithms.
After that we will learn about computer architecture, networks, html
and web page editing, the Python programming language, computer
graphics, and ethical issues in modern computing.
Time Commitment
During the course of CS 101, you will be learning not only a new
paradigm for problem solving, but also details of many subfields of
computer science.
This can be a time-consuming process. Expect to spend 8-12 hours per
week outside of class in this course. If you do not have this
kind of time available to work
on CS 101, you
may want to wait and take it in a later term. This course also
satisfies the FM(b) math requirement. As a
Calculus-equivalent in that sense (though there will be no Calculus), I
intend to
give you your money's worth.
Textbook/Lab (required)
An Invitation to Computer Science, 5th
edition (Schneider, Gersting) available online.
Laboratory Manual to accompany An Invitation to Computer Science, 5th
Edition (Lambert, Whaley) available online.
Attendance, Grading, Late Assignments
- Attendance is required.
- Grading breakdown: Exams 40% (2
x
10,
1
x
20),
Assignments 40%,
Quizes 10%, Attendance and Participation 10%.
- Late Assignments lose 10, 15,
25, 25, 25% for each additional day late (no credit on the
fifth day). This scale may be delayed given the severity of your
circumstances and my being
informed of them in a timely manner.
- I will defer to
the Counseling Center (see here).
- If you have an athletic event and will not be able to make a
deadline, you should tell me within a day of an assignment being
posted.
- Accomodations for qualified disabilities requires written
notfication in conjunction with Student Academic
Support (see here or call
458-8754).
Assistance from others, group work,
etc.
Computer Science is a difficult subject to learn on your own (like many
others). Talking through problems with mentors and peers can be
an exceptional learning tool. However, this sort of collaboration
can also be quite dangerous, as you may be underprepared to be tested
on your own. Thus, here are my guidelines for appropriate
collaboration, in order to better help you learn. Conduct in
gross violation of these guidelines will be considered a breach of
trust
- You are not to seek assistance
from students who have previously taken this course, with the exception
of the TA for the course.
- At the end of the term, YOU will
be someone who has previously taken this course. In the future,
please do not provide assistance to future students, and encourage them
to seek appropriate help.
- I encourage you to discuss with each other broad solutions to
problems on assignments. However, when you sit down to write your
solution, it should be your work. Please acknowledge aid received
from other students. It will have no effect on my grading, and it
is the honorable thing to do.
- I have found that in the vast majority of
non-typo cases, the mental exercise of running sample data through your
code illuminates the issue and leads to better understanding on your
part. Ignoring this exercise for convenience will hurt you. I
will help you with this exercise.
- After completing the assignment, feel free to discuss any aspects
of the assignment, including implementation details with others who
have also completed the assignment.