CSC 241 Introduction to Computer Science I
Summary
This course is the first of a two-course sequence
introducing computer science. The focus of the course is on problem
solving, algorithm development, and structured and object-oriented programming
using Python and the Python API (application programming interface), all in the
context of building computer applications.
In the
first course we will focus on structured programming and learn how and when to
use conditionals, loops, and functional and modular abstractions.
After you have taken this class:
- You will understand that a main focus of computer
science is developing applications for computer systems.
- You will have stronger problem solving skills.
- You will know who to develop algorithmic solutions
for basic computational problems.
- You will understand fundamental programming
structures such as expressions, assignments, decision and iteration
structures, functions and modules.
- You will have basic Python programming skills.
- You will be prepared for the second course in the
sequence, CSC 242: Introduction to Computer Science II
Course calendar
The following gives all the important dates for this
course. The topics covered are subject to change.
| Week |
Date |
Topic/Deadline |
| 1 |
January 3 - 5, 2011 |
Introduction to the course and
Python programming |
| January 9, 2011 |
Last day to add classes |
| 2 |
January 10 - 12, 2011 |
Python objects and built-in
classes |
| January 16, 2011 |
The last day to drop classes
with no penalty |
| 3 |
January 17 - 19, 2011 |
Input/output, files, and
exceptions |
| 4 |
January 24 - 26, 2011 |
Executions control flow I |
| 5 |
January 31 - February 2, 2011 |
Executions control flow II |
| 6 |
February 7, 2011 |
Review for the midterm exam |
| February 9, 2011 |
Midterm exam: 1:30 - 3:00
pm |
| 7 |
February 14 - 16, 2011 |
More collection types |
| February 18, 2011 |
Last day to withdraw from
classes |
| 8 |
February 21 - 23, 2011 |
Namespaces, modules, and the
standard library |
| 9 |
February 28 - March 2, 2011 |
Problem solving |
| 10 |
March 7 - 9, 2011 |
More problem solving and
review for the final exam |
| 11 |
March 14, 2011 |
Final exam: 11:45 am - 2:00
pm |
Texts
We will be using the draft of a textbook that is being
written by Ljubomir Perkovic, a College of Computing and Digital Media faculty
member. The book will be posted to the D2L site.
If you would like an additional reference, please ask.
Grading
Course assessments include lab attendance, programming assignments,
and a midterm and final exam. The course grade will be computed
as follows:
| Assessment |
Percentage |
| Lab attendance |
5 % |
| Programming assignments |
35 % |
| Midterm exam |
25 % |
| Final exam |
35 % |
All students will be required to sign and return an
Academic Integrity pledge at the start of the quarter. The Academic
Integrity pledge will be posted on the D2L site. The pledge must be signed
and returned as a part of the first homework assignment. Students that violate this agreement are violating the Academic
Integrity policy of DePaul University. See the section on Academic
Integrity below for more information about that policy and penalties for
violating it.
In order to do well in this class, you must attend the
lectures and labs regularly, participate in the discussion, read the
chapters in the book as indicated in the homework assignment, start work on
the assignments early, and ask questions early and often. The answers
to the programming assignment and the lab and exam questions should be
written in a way that is rigorous, clear, and concise.
Lab attendance
Each week you will have a lab session conducted by our
teaching assistant Steven Bloemer. Your attendance at the lab session is
required and will count for the portion of the grade indicated above.
Programming assignments
Each week you will have a programming assignment.?
The first few exercises will be completed with help from the course teaching
assistant during the labs and the remainder should be completed as homework.
Each programming assignment will have a posted
deadline, specified on the assignment.
No late assignments are accepted for any reason. Your lowest
assignment score will be dropped in the calculation of your
course grade.
Midterm and final exams
The midterm and final exams will be cumulative. The
midterm exam will take place on February 9, 2011, 1:30 - 3:00 pm. The
final exam will take place on March 14, 2011, 11:45 - 2:00 pm.
Make-up exams will
not be given.? If you wish to petition for a make-up
exam, you must notify me in advance and provide documented evidence of the emergency
that will cause you to miss the exam. Failure to
contact me in advance of the exam date and time will disqualify you from being allowed to take a make-up exam. If a make-up exam is granted, it
will be of a form of my choosing.
Prerequisites
In order to take this class you are required to have taken
MAT 130: Precalculus or an equivalent high-school or college course covering
algebra and precalculus.
Course web sites
There are two web sites used for this course:
Desire2Learn (D2L) and COL.
To log onto the D2L page visit
https://d2l.depaul.edu/.
Lecture notes, programming assignments, lab assignments, quizzes, study
guides for the midterm and final exam, and other course materials
will be available through the D2L site. There are also Discussion Forums
that you can use for questions about the class.
There will also be links to course recordings, which are housed on the COL site.
The COL site is where you will find all course recordings.
While you are expected to attend all classes, the recordings can be useful for
review. There will be links from the D2L site to the COL site.? If you wish to log
into the COL site directly, you can visit
https://col.cdm.depaul.edu.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296