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. |
Software and Hardware
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| Python | Scratch | App Inventor | Arduino | Sifteo Cubes |
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 augmented by tangible computing devices. Specifically, we will be incorporating:
- Arduino Microprocessors
- Android Phones
- Sifteo Cubes
Quizzes and Participation
Sporadically throughout the semester, there will be short quizzes covering material from the previous class. These quizzes will comprise 6% of your final grade.
You are encouraged to attend class and participate in discussions every day. 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.
You will be expected to sign up for a Twitter account and use it regularly to post status updates about the class and your progress in labs and projects. I will use this to share class updates with you.
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 22 : Chapter 1
- Aug 27 : Chapter 2
- Aug 27 : Chapter 3
- Aug 31 : Chapter 4
- Sep 20 : Chapter 5
- Sep 20 : Chapter 6
- Sep 25 : Chapter 7
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 programming lab work on the remote cs server, and written portions through Google Documents. 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. Do not save your material on the computers in Magale 1A, it is insecure.
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 | Who are you? | Aug 20th | Aug 20th |
| 1 | Communication and Origami | Aug 20th | Aug 22nd |
| 2 | Building Blocks of Programming | Aug 23rd | Aug 27th |
| 3 | Kepler and Newton | Aug 30th | Sept 5th |
| 4 | Boolean Logic Puzzles | Aug 31st | Sept 6th |
| 5 | Edible Mushroom Detector | Sept 6th | Sept 10th |
| 6 | Sept 10th | Sept 17th | |
| 7 | Sept 20st | Sep 24th | |
| 8 | Curiouser and Curiouser | Sept 26th | Sept 27th |
| 9 | Mutation is the Word | Sept 27th | Oct 3rd |
| 10 | Caesar's Secrets | Oct 4th | Oct 8th |
| 11 | Functional Practice | Oct 5th | Oct 9th |
| 12 | Gibberish Generator | Oct 18h | Oct 22nd |
| 13 | Zen Readings | Oct 18th | Oct 19th |
| 14 | Fractal Recursion | Oct 24th | Oct 25th |
| 15 | App Inventor | Nov 1st | Nov 5th |
| 16 | Die Hard III | Nov 8th | Nov 12th |
| 17 | Nov 9th | Nov 12th | |
| 18 | Sifteo Introduction | Nov 14th | Nov 15th |
| 19 | Python Challenge | Dec 6th | Dec 7th |
Projects
You will have three projects in this course, one about every five weeks, for a total of 34% 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 | Project 1 This Day in History 5% | Sept 11th | Sep 21st |
| 2 | Project 2 Bulls and Cows 10% | Oct 10th | Oct 26th |
| 3 | Project 3 Independent Choice 19% | Nov 15th | Final |
Exams
There will be three in-class exams, each worth 15% of your final grade. They will consist of short answer along with writing and debugging code.- Exam 1: Sep 17th, covering input/output, math, numerical data and conditionals
- Exam 2: Oct 10th, covering functions, while and for loops, lists and strings
- Exam 3: Nov 16th, covering recursion, dictionaries and object-oriented programming
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