CS 110: Introduction to Computer Science

Course Information

Instructor Information

Course Description

Computers are - without a doubt - one of the most important, most pervasive, and yet least understood and grossly underutilized inventions of the human race. Their raw power is staggering - they have the ability to perform billions of calculations on billions of numbers per second.

What do you do with that kind of power? You solve problems. Math problems, including physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. Data management problems, including data storage, retrieval, and transmission. Analysis problems, including statistics, data mining, projections, and simulations.

Few people know how to take advantage of that computation power directly, instead relying on software that others have written - that computer scientists have written, to be exact. Computer scientists aren't interested in computers per se - we're interested in using computers as tools to solve mathematical, organizational, and analytical problems. Computer scientists are problem solvers.

Being a computer scientist requires thought and imagination. You must be able to comprehend the logical implications of every programming decision, to anticipate what the structure of a data model will be like after every step of a long sequence of operations, and to develop new techniques to solve new problems. These are skills that anyone can learn. Developing and honing these skills is an important part of becoming a Computer Scientist.

This course exposes you to the modern object-oriented programming languages of today and teaches you how to use them. At the same time it cultivates the critical thinking skills that can be used to understand and solve problems of all kinds. All of this is set in a context of digital animation, gaming, and simulation.

By the end of the semester you should be able to:

• Understand what Computer Science is.

• Understand object-oriented programming, including the concepts of classes, objects, methods, and object interaction.

• Understand structured programming, including the concepts of sequencing, selection, and iteration.

• Be able to logically break a problem down into equivalence categories, formulate algorithms to solve each category of problem, and write a program that includes the solution for each possible category.

• Create programs in the Alice and Java languages.

Liberal Studies

The mission of the Liberal Studies Program at Northern Arizona University is to prepare students to live responsible, productive, and creative lives as citizens of a dramatically changing world. To accomplish the mission of Liberal Studies, Northern Arizona University provides a program that challenges students to gain a deeper understanding of the natural environment and the world's peoples, to explore the traditions and legacies that have created the dynamics and tensions that shape the world, to examine their potential contributions to society, and thus to better determine their own places in that world.

CS 110 supports this mission by helping you:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the tools and processes that enable and drive our technologically-oriented society.

• Explore the history and culture of Computer Science, a field that significantly contributes to all other science.

• Understand the nature and purpose of computer programming and be able to apply it to solve various problems you encounter in life.

CS 110 is a course in the Science Distribution Block and supports the intent of that block by:

• Teaching you a programming language or two.

• Teaching you how to program and problem-solve with a programming language.

• Cultivating highly logical and algorithmic thinking.

• Exposing you to the common algorithms and techniques that are the basic building blocks of all programming.

Through the program students acquire a broad range of knowledge and develop essential skills for professional success and life beyond graduation. In addition to discipline-specific skills, this course will emphasize critical thinking, an essential skill defined in the University's Liberal Studies Program. By completing all the coursework in the class, you will meet all three learning outcomes specifically linked to critical thinking:

• You will be able to convey, to an intended audience, the meaning of a statement. You will be able to take an existing program and describe what it does and, just as importantly, take an algorithm you wish to employ and write it as a logically sound series of computer commands.

• You will be able to assess the validity of a claim, taking into account different conceptual schemes, contextual factors, and evidence. With computer programming, every statement and every action is either manipulating or evaluating the state of the problem or the solution. Computer "bugs" are the result of logical fallacies - actions that fail to take into account all the possible inputs or consequences and analysis that doesn't include essential bits of information.

• You will be able to evaluate an argument by determining whether the conclusion would be probable if the premises were true. This is necessary when developing algorithms - once you've identified a scenario or "case" to solve, you must be able to employ, with confidence, instructions that will correctly implement the solution.

Schedule

Coursework

• 10 Homework Assignments at 10 pts each (17% of total grade)

  Homework assignments involve research using book and online resources to answer specific questions. They help to fully prepare you for and familiarize you with the current lecture topics. Points are awarded for correct answers.

• 10 Programming Projects at 20 pts each (33% of total grade)

  Programming projects are where you put your knowledge you've learned into practice, transitioning from the theoretical to the practical with hands-on experience. Points are awarded based on the completeness and quality of your work and the thoroughness of your project report.

• 3 Tests: 60 pts each (30% of total grade)
  1 Final Exam: 120 pts (20% of total grade)

  The tests and the final are an incentive for you to ensure you fully understand the topics being covered - as well as demonstrating that fact to the instructor. Points are awarded for correct answers.

• Total: 600 pts (100%)

Your class grade is based on the standard scale of points earned: 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D, below 60%=F. No grades are curved or dropped, though there are opportunities for extra credit. Projects are individual effort.

Assignments are due in-class on the due date. Graded assignments and tests are handed back during class.

Extra Credit

Late Policy

If you miss a test or know you will miss a test, discuss the matter with me as soon as possible.

Attendance & Absentee Point Reductions

Failed Final and Easy Final Policies

• If you score less than 50% on the final exam, your final class grade will be reduced by one letter grade.
• On the other hand if you do well in the class you get to take the Easy Final Exam, where all you have to do is sign your name on the day of the final. To qualify for the Easy Final you must meet ALL these conditions:
  • Have an "A" average at the end of the semester (90% or 432/480 points before the final).
  • Have scored 50/60 points or better on EACH of the first three tests.
  • Have completed all 10 projects with a grade of 10/20 or better.
  • Have turned in all 10 homework assignments.

Lectures and the Book

Plagiarism and Cheating

If you plagiarize source code, fabricate results, make fraudulent claims, or attempt to cheat in any way, you are misrepresenting yourself, your level of understanding, your capabilities, and your ability to accomplish things. It is dishonest and unethical.

Anyone who plagiarizes, copies, fabricates, or cheats will at the least receive a zero on that assignment or test.

Consulting with others and using their advice on projects is fine. However, the work you submit should be your own work that you thoroughly understand and are entirely responsible for.

Web Page

Computer Access

We will not be spending any class time in the computer lab. You are responsible for going to the lab on your own time or working from home to complete the assignments. You can use the general lab in room 106, the PC lab in room 317, the computers in the building's Internet Cafe, or any of the various PC labs around campus.

The Engineering Building's computer lab hours are as follows: M-Th 10am-8pm, F 10am-5pm, Sun 4pm-10pm. The Internet Cafe is open 24/7 with keypad access from the outside. If you are an Engineering student you can get a keycode at the Engineering front desk - I'm afraid this option isn't available to non-Engineering majors.

Most of your questions on general computer setup can be answered at the following web pages:

• CENS Information Technology:

  http://www.cefns.nau.edu/it/

• NAU ITS Academic Computing Virtual Help Desk:

  http://www4.nau.edu/achd/

University Policies

• Safe Working and Learning Environment
• Students With Disabilities
• Accommodation of Religious Observance And Practice
• Institutional Review Board (And Use Of Human Subjects)
• Academic Dishonesty
• Medical Insurance Coverage For Students
• Classroom Management
• Evacuation Policies

You will find a complete description of each policy here:

http://www.cefns.nau.edu/~ap27/policies.html