CSC 207 - Introduction to Computer Science

Centenary College of Louisiana
Magale 1A
M 12-1 W 2-5 - Fall 2009

Instructor: Dr. Mark Goadrich

Contact Info
mgoadric@centenary.edu
104 Wright Building
(318) 869-5194

Office Hours
MW 9-11, TR 1-3
or by appointment


Overview | Syllabus | Labs | Projects | Exams | Grading


Course Details

Textbook

How to Think Like a (Python) Programmer
by Allen Downey, 2007
Olin College, MA
This textbook is open-source; I have reorganized and edited it to match our course syllabus.

Overview

This course is an introduction to the study of computer science using the programming language of Python. Topics covered will include mathematical functions, string manipulation, logic and control structures, file input/output, elementary data structures, and object-oriented programming. You will learn the principles of problem solving, programming and algorithm development in lab assignments, projects and exams.

We will be studying these computer-science concepts through an interdisciplinary approach focused on the topic of intelligent life in the universe. Specifically, we will be asking three main questions:

Answers to these questions will be explored within the fields of astrobiology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, mathematics and cryptography, and we will see how elements of computer science underlie these disciplines.

Quizzes and Participation

You are encouraged to attend class and participate in discussions every day. Sporadically throughout the semester, there will be short quizzes covering material from the previous class. These quizzes will serve as records of your attendance, and in total they will comprise 5% of your final grade. Active participation in class discussions will comprise another 5% of your final grade. This will be awarded for answering questions, asking questions, presenting material, etc.

Extra Credit

Extra credit for this course can be earned by participating in the Centenary Math Problem of the Week (POTW). Each reasonable submission will be worth an additional 0.5% toward your final grade, CC me with your submission for credit.

Disabilities

Centenary assures students with disabilities equal opportunity to reach the same level of achievement as other students. Strict confidentiality will be maintained on students with disabilities. Services for students with disabilities are available through the Counseling Center, located on the ground floor of Rotary Residence Hall, phone (318) 869-5424.

Honor Code

All students are bound by the Honor System. The Honor System is applicable to all academic work. See the Centenary College Handbook for the complete Honor Code. You may discuss topics with other students and tutors, but all code you write must be your own, and you must be able to explain to me how it works. In this course, it is a violation of the honor code to look at code from previous semesters or in other students' directories.

Extensions

Extensions and rescheduling for labs, projects, exams and quizzes are only given when circumstances beyond your control (e.g. being sick, choir or sports travel) prevent you from completing a project on time. You must notify me either by email or phone of your circumstances well in advance of the due date. No extensions are given for requests made within three days of the due date.

Syllabus

We will be covering most of the material in the textbook, approximately one new chapter each week. You should view your textbook as another perspective on the material presented in class and covered in the labs. We will also be using additional supplemental material such as relevant web-pages and background material for the lab assignments. Readings will be assigned before material will be covered in class. You are expected to review the material and come to class prepared.

Labs

Much of your experience with programming in this course will be through weekly labs, which will comprise 25% of your final grade. Each lab will be assigned in class with time allotted to work through the materials, and will be due at the beginning of the next class period. All labs are weighted equally within the Lab portion of your final grade.

You will be handing in your lab work on the remote cs server, and instructions to do so will be included in each lab. For in-class work and notes, you should purchase a USB Flash Drive, the bookstore has 1GB for around $7.00.

You may work with a partner on the lab assignments if you choose. Their name must be listed on any code you hand in as joint work.

LabNameAssignedDue
0Who are you?Aug 24thAug 24th
1Communication and OrigamiAug 24thAug 26th
2Building Blocks of ProgrammingAug 26thAug 31st
3Kepler and NewtonSept 2ndSept 9th
4StringsSept 9thSept 14th
5Boolean Logic PuzzlesSept 14thSept 16th
6Edible Mushroom DetectorSept 16thSept 21st
7Hot or ColdSept 23rdSep 28th
8Mutation is the WordSept 30thOct 5th
9Caesar's SecretsOct 7thOct 12th
10Functional PracticeOct 12thOct 14th
11Fractal RecursionOct 21stOct 26th
12Predictive Text MessagingNov 4thNov 9th
13Die Hard IIINov 11thNov 16th
15Simulating the CellDec 2ndDec 7th
16Python ChallengeDec 9thDec 9th

Projects

You will have three projects in this course, one about every five weeks, for a total of 30% of your final grade. These projects will cover concepts we have discussed in class and in labs, and will be due approximately two weeks after they are assigned.

You must work individually on these projects. You may discuss concepts and ideas with your classmates, but the code you turn in must be your own. You will be graded not only on correctness, but also technique, documentation and evaluation of your solution. Further details on the grading standards and handin instructions for each project will be given when they are assigned.

ProjectNameAssignedDue
1This Day in History 5%Sept 11thSep 21th
2The Word of the Day 10%Oct 19thOct 28rd
3Unspeakable Words 15%Nov 30thDec 18th

Exams

There will be two in-class exams, each worth 17% of your final grade. They will consist of short answer along with writing and debugging code.

Grading

Your final grade for this course will be based on the Labs, Projects, Quizzes, Exams and Participation described above.
Grading Scale
90-100A
80-89B
70-79C
60-69D
0-59F
Weights
Labs25%
Projects30%
Quizzes6%
Participation5%
Exam 117%
Exam 217%


© Mark Goadrich, Centenary College of Louisiana