ClassInfo

IT 211 Introduction to Applied Programming

Craig Miller

Office: CDM 745
Spring 2023-2024
Class number: 32853
Section number: 601
TuTh 11:50AM - 1:20PM
CDM 00658 Loop Campus

Summary

Students learn elementary programming concepts through the Python programming language.

Course Goals

The primary goal of this course is to provide a general understanding of programming and computing by developing elementary scripts. Specific goals include writing scripts with the following:

  • Expressions and assignment statements with diverse data types
  • Control statements including conditionals (if statements) and loops
  • Arrays and iterators
  • Defining simple methods
  • Defining and using classes



Texts

Think Python, by Allen Downey, 2nd edition (covers Python 3), HTML versionPDF version



Grading

Assignment Weight
Nine assignments (10 points each) 35% (70 points, best 7 of 9)
Midterm Exam 25% (50 points)
Final Exam 40% (80 points)

Students receiving more than 90% of possible points are guaranteed at least an A-, more than 80% at least a B-, more than 70% at least a C-, and more than 60% at least a D.

Students are expected to either attend classes or view recorded sessions on a bi-weekly basis.

The midterm exam and the final exam must either be completed in class or as a proctored exam following the DePaul CDM policies.

While not part of the grade, attendance for the in-person section will be kept. Participation in the online section by email, online postings and office visits will be noted.

Remote live attendance by zoom will not be supported. Online materials are provided through course notes, linked code and COL recordings.

Assignments

The goal of assignments is to become proficient with the concepts taught in class. You are expected to individually complete your own assignments. However, some collaboration with other students is allowed for assignments. The following types of collaboration are allowed:

  • Discussing strategies for solving a problem
  • Explaining why a script does not work
  • Reviewing and testing someone else's programming script
  • Using Python code provided by the instructor and texts

The following types of collaboration are not allowed for assignments:

  • Copying someone else's Python code
  • Copying code from an online resource, including intelligent agents
  • Literally telling someone what code to write
  • Allowing your code to be copied

Engaging in these last two types of collaboration will be considered a violation of the university's policy on academic integrity. Violators will receive a zero for the corresponding assignment and will be reported as required by the policy.

Late assignments will be accepted up to three days late with a one point penalty. Assignments submitted more than 3 days after the due date will not be accepted without an excused absence cleared by the dean of students office.

Additional assignments for extra credit will not be offered.

Exams

When completing exams, students may not collaborate with any other person, nor use any external resources. Collaboration with others on exams will be considered a violation of the university's policy on academic integrity. Violators will receive a zero for the corresponding exam and will be reported as required by the policy.

Exams can be made up with a serious documented excuse (e.g. illness, death in the family) and must be arranged as soon as possible. Arrangements involving other excuses require prior permission from the instructor.

All grade challenges must be submitted in writing and include an explanation why the given score or grade should be reconsidered.



Prerequisites

IT 130 or equivalent is the prerequisite of this course. Students are expected to have some prior programming experience.



Tentative Schedule

Week Topic Reading Exam Assignment Due
Apr 2 & 4 Course Overview; Python variables, data types and assignment statements Ch. 1Ch. 2   Assignment 1
Apr 9 & 11 Using functions, control statements Ch. 3Ch. 5   Assignment 2
Apr 16 & 17 Strings and Lists Ch. 8 (Strings)Ch. 10 (Lists)   Assignment 3
Apr 23 & 25 Practice with Lists, Index-based loops, reading word lists Ch. 9 (Reading lists)   Assignment 4
Apr 30 & May 2 Writing fruitful functions Ch. 6 (Fruitful functions)   Assignment 5
May 7 & 9 Exam week Class notes Midterm Exam (Tuesday May 7)  
May 14 & 16 Dictionaries, Tuples and I/O Ch. 11, Ch. 12 and Ch. 14   Assignment 6
May 21 & 23 Exceptions and I/O Sect. 4.5Tutorial on Exceptions   Assignment 7
May 28 & 30 Intro to classes Ch. 15, 16, 17   Assignment 8
Jun 4 & 6 Advanced concepts, Review Class notes   Assignment 9

Final Exam

The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday June 11, from 11:30 AM to 1:45 PM.



School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

Online Course Evaluations

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

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.

Academic Policies

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 with Disabilities

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