Course Details
Textbook
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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:
- What are the basic principles of life?
- What is intelligence?
- How can we communicate with intelligent beings?
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.- Aug 24th : Chapter 1
- Aug 26th : Chapter 2
- Sep 4rd : Chapter 3
- Sep 9th : Chapter 4
- Sep 14th : Chapter 5
- Sep 21st : Chapter 6
- Sep 28th : Chapter 7
- Oct 5th : Chapter 8
- Oct 5th : Chapter 9
- Oct 19th : Chapter 10
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.
| Lab | Name | Assigned | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Aug 24th | Aug 24th | |
| 1 | Communication and Origami | Aug 24th | Aug 26th |
| 2 | Building Blocks of Programming | Aug 26th | Aug 31st |
| 3 | Kepler and Newton | Sept 2nd | Sept 9th |
| 4 | Strings | Sept 9th | Sept 14th |
| 5 | Sept 14th | Sept 16th | |
| 6 | Edible Mushroom Detector | Sept 16th | Sept 21st |
| 7 | Sept 23rd | Sep 28th | |
| 8 | Mutation is the Word | Sept 30th | Oct 5th |
| 9 | Caesar's Secrets | Oct 7th | Oct 12th |
| 10 | Functional Practice | Oct 12th | Oct 14th |
| 11 | Fractal Recursion | Oct 21st | Oct 26th |
| 12 | Predictive Text Messaging | Nov 4th | Nov 9th |
| 13 | Die Hard III | Nov 11th | Nov 16th |
| 15 | Simulating the Cell | Dec 2nd | Dec 7th |
| 16 | Python Challenge | Dec 9th | Dec 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.
| Project | Name | Assigned | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | This Day in History 5% | Sept 11th | Sep 21th |
| 2 | The Word of the Day 10% | Oct 19th | Oct 28rd |
| 3 | Unspeakable Words 15% | Nov 30th | Dec 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.- Exam 1: Oct 14th, covering Chapters 1-9
- Exam 2: Nov 18th, covering Chapters 10-15
Grading
Your final grade for this course will be based on the Labs, Projects, Quizzes, Exams and Participation described above.
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© Mark Goadrich, Centenary College of Louisiana