CS 141
Introduction to Computer Science I

Course Syllabus
Fall 2009

Instructor: Eric McGregor
Office: Science Center 388
Email: mcgregre@clarkson.edu

Office hours

As follows or by appointment.

Course Objectives

  1. Students should learn fundamental principles of how to solve problems through computer programming. The programming techniques will include good program design practices and programming style, resulting in programs which are correct, reliable, robust, efficient, and maintainable.
  2. Students should learn basic features of the programming language C++.

Required Textbook

Problem Solving with C++: The Object of Programming,
by Walter Savitch, Addison-Wesley (7th edition).

Overview

Course Grading

Exams

There will be 2 hourly exams during the semester. The 2 hourly exams are tentatively scheduled for September 24 and October 29. A cumulative final exam will be given during final exam week. Old exams can be found HERE Solutions to Exam 2 review questions can be downloaded HERE

Labs

The laboratory periods are held every Monday in the Internet Teaching Lab (SC 334). These labs are an important part of the course. You will learn how to write computer programs and use the tools to edit, compile and debug these programs in the labs. At the beginning of each lab I will take attendance, describe the lab assignment and teach you a few tricks of the trade. It is therefore important for you to arrive promptly, be attentive and be prepared (bring notebooks and textbooks). Each lab assignment is designed to be completed during the lab period but will be accepted electronically anytime before 5pm. I will hold office hours in the ITL on Monday from 3pm-4pm to help students complete their lab assignments. Lab assignment grades will be based on the following: Attendance (25%), Participation (25%) and Correctness (50%).

Homework

In addition to the lab assignments, there will also be additional problems and programs assigned in class. These assignments will require more independent thinking than the lab assignments. You will usually be given two weeks to complete these homework assignments. Grading for homework assignments will be based on completeness, correctness and style. You may also be asked to demonstrate your program and answer questions about your code as part of your grade.

Code of Ethics

You are expected to work according to the following Clarkson Code of Ethics:

"Clarkson values personal integrity. Matriculation at Clarkson carries with it the obligation that a student will not claim as his or her own, the work of another, or any work that has not been honestly performed, will not take any examination by improper means, and will not aid and abet another in any dishonesty."