Computer Science
CSC-142
Spring 2015
Instructor:
Other
Instructor
Information:
Section
Number:
Credit hours:
Course
description:
Prerequisites:
Cate Sheller
Office: 1180C Linn Hall
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15-12:10; Tuesdays and Thursdays,
3:35-4:30; Fridays 12:20-1:15; other times by appointment
Office phone: 398-5899 ext. 5842
E-mail: cate.sheller@kirkwood.edu
Section CRF-10 (0224172)
meets Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:10 to 11:05 AM in
room 1186 Linn Hall
4
Introduces computer programming, including data types, expressions,
input/output, control structures, functional and object-oriented programming, and
simple data structures. The course emphasizes problem solving skills through
program refinement, documentation and programming style
MAT-102 (Intermediate Algebra)
Required Text: Java: an Introduction to Problem Solving & Programming by
Walter Savitch, 7th edition; Pearson, 2015
Course web site: http://faculty.kirkwood.edu/cshelle
Flash drive
Course
Materials
Needed:
Optional:
 personal computer
 Java SDK version 5.0 (or 6 or 7, but not 8)
 IDE for Java (such as BlueJ)
Books and course materials for this course are available at the Kirkwood
Bookstore.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
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Course
Learning
Outcomes and
Competencies:



explain basic computer science and programming concepts;
apply problem-solving techniques through computer programming
design and develop algorithmic solutions using an incremental
approach
read, write, trace, extend, debug and document computer programs
in the Java language
design and develop algorithms and express them in programs
write programs that are both functional and readable given
specifications
create and effectively use objects from Java class libraries
implement algorithms using selection, iteration, functional
decomposition, event handling, and simple recursion
apply object-oriented programming concepts and techniques in
computer programs
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explain the concept of data type and describe the behavior of various
data constructs, including primitives, objects and arrays
develop test programs that fully exercise code using appropriate test
data
improve code reliability by incorporating exception-handling
mechanisms
read and write data in file and interactive modes
write, interpret and evaluate arithmetic, relational and logical
expressions
describe, interpret and program String operations
produce formatted output matching specifications
choose appropriate control structures to perform specific tasks
recognize, explain, correct and prevent logical and syntactic errors in
computer programs
explain and apply parameter passing
explain the concepts of scope and visibility
design and implement solutions using both value-returning
functions and void functions
Your grade will be determined by the sum of the total points earned from
the following assessment instruments:
Assessment of
Student
Learning:
Late
Work/Makeup Test Policy:

4 exams (5 exams given, top 4 count: 400 points total)

Approximately 4 program assignments (25 points each;
approximately 100 points total)

in-class assignments (5-10 points each; approximately 150 points
total)

You must take each exam at the scheduled time in order to
receive full credit for the exam. If you must miss an exam, contact
me before the exam or as soon afterward as possible in order to
arrange a make-up time.

No homework assignments will be accepted after the due date.
Incomplete labs, homework, and programming assignments will be
accepted for partial credit. Programs that do not compile, do not
execute, or execute incorrectly should still be turned in. If you
are having serious problems with an assignment, you should see me
before the due date.
As stated in the Student handbook: In compliance with Public Law 105-244,
Kirkwood Community College makes a wide variety of general institutional
information available to students.
For additional information, go to:
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=32303
Class
Attendance
Policy and
College
Sponsored
Activities:
Class attendance is strongly recommended. If you miss class it is your
responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up with scheduled
course activities. Attendance is a key element in course success; you are
much more likely to succeed if you are present and attentive. In-class
assignments will be given for which you will not receive credit if you
are not present.
We believe that the best learning takes place in an environment where faculty and
students exhibit trust and mutual respect.
Productive
Classroom
Learning
Environment:
In a productive learning environment, faculty and students work cooperatively,
recognize and respect differences, model the values of character and citizenship,
and become lifelong learners.
See Student Policies: Academic and Enrollment Policies
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=32303
Plagiarism
Policy:
It is cheating to pass off another student's (or programmer's) work as
your own. This is plagiarism and is inappropriate behavior in an institution
of higher learning. Don’t do it. If you collaborate with another person to
complete a lab, program, or homework, you must clearly credit the
other person's contribution. Depending on the nature of the
collaboration, and the degree of contribution you make, such collaboration
may affect your grade. Failure to give due credit to a collaborator will
result in a zero.
See Student Policies: General Policies and Student Rights
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=32309
Campus
Closings:
Local radio and TV stations will announce school closings as they received
the information, but the best way to keep informed about class
cancellations or delays is via the Kirkwood Alert System. This system will
alert you via e-mail and/or text message of cancellations, delays, and
emergencies. Sign up at http://alert.kirkwood.edu.
Learning
Environment
Expectations:
Turn off or leave home any devices (cell phone, etc.) that may distract you
or your classmates. You may bring a laptop computer or tablet to
practice programming skills in class. You may not use these devices on
exams, however.
Americans
with
Disabilities
Act:
Students with disabilities who need accommodations to achieve course objectives
should file an accommodation application with Learning Services, Cedar Hall 2063
and provide a written plan of accommodation to your instructor prior to the
accommodation being provided.
Student
Evaluation:
See “Assessment of Student Learning” on page 2 and tentative schedule, last
2 pages.
Midterm
grades:
A midterm grade will be calculated and posted on EagleNet. The midterm grade is
a grade-in-progress, and will not affect your official GPA, nor will it impact
financial aid. The midterm grade has three purposes: first, to communicate your
academic performance; second, to provide opportunities for you to discuss your
progress with your instructor; and third, to allow Kirkwood to design college-wide
intervention programs that will improve student success.
How final
grades are
determined:
Final grades are based on the total number of points accumulated over the
semester. The grading scale below is applied by dividing a student’s total points
(with the lowest exam score dropped) by the total number of points possible
(again, with the corresponding exam dropped).
Grading Scale:
B+
89%
C+
79%
D+
69%
A
91%
B
8188.9%
C
7178.9%
D
6168.9%
A-
9090.9
%
B-
8080.9%
C-
7070.9%
D-
6060.9%
F
less
than
60%
To get the last day to drop a class, or the last day for a 50% or 100% refund,
go to any of EagleNet’s search for sections screens. You don’t even have to
login if you just click EagleNet for Students and then Search for Sections.
https://eaglenet.kirkwood.edu/production/WebAdvisor?TOKENIDX=9443580219&type
=M&constituency=WBST&pid=CORE-WBST
In EagleNet for Faculty when you’re logged in, the last item under Faculty
Information is your Search for Sections link:
https://eaglenet.kirkwood.edu/production/WebAdvisor?TOKENIDX=3671408920&typ
e=M&constituency=WBFC&pid=CORE-WBFC
Students dropping a class during the first two weeks of a term may receive a
full or partial tuition refund for 16 week terms, for shorter courses check
with Enrollment Services for total withdraw information.
The last date to drop this class for this term is Friday, April 24.
Drop Date:
Details of the refund schedule can be found under Academic & Enrollment
Policies at:
www.kirkwood.edu/student_policies
Final Exam
Information:
Final exams are scheduled during the last week of the term from May 5 to
May 11. The final exam for this class is scheduled on Tuesday, May 5 at
10:10 AM.
See Facilities: Emergency/Crisis Information
Emergency
Information:
Other
Information:
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=7987
[If desired, list emergency phone numbers, department office locations, etc.]
[List here any information specific to the course, such as information
regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals, biohazard, invasive procedures,
performance expectations, and also a course time line or calendar, if desired.]
Check Refund Policy at: www.kirkwood.edu/registration
Rev. 4/11
Rev. 5/11
Rev. 6/12
Rev. 8/14/12
Rev. 1/22/14
Rev. 7/29/14
CSC-142 Spring 2014
Tentative Schedule
Date
Topic
Tue, Jan 20 Course intro; basic Java syntax
Wed, Jan 21 Basic Java syntax / IDE demo
Text/Resource
Assignment Due
Sections 1.1-1.3
Sections 1.2-1.3
Thu, Jan 22 Lab 1
Mon, Jan 26 Data declaration & expressions
Sections 2.1 & 2.4
Tue, Jan 27 Data declaration & expressions
Sections 2.1 & 2.4
Wed, Jan 28 Applet intro
Lab 1
Section 1.4
Thu, Jan 29 Lab 2
Lab 2
Mon, Feb 2 API intro
Java API, worksheet / Section 2.2
Tue, Feb 3 API methods: String, Math
Section 2.2 & pp 400-407
Wed, Feb 4 Lab 3
Thu, Feb 5 Interactive input & output
Sections 2.3 & 2.5
Mon, Feb 9 Interactive input & output
Sections 2.3 & 2.5
Lab 3
Tue, Feb 10 Lab 4
Wed, Feb 11 Exam review
Thu, Feb 12 Exam 1
Lab 4
Mon, Feb 16 Logical & relational expressions
Section 3.2
Tue, Feb 17 Simple selection structures
Section 3.1
Wed, Feb 18 Simple selection structures
Section 3.1
Program 1
Thu, Feb 19 Lab 5
Mon, Feb 23 Compound selection
Sections 3.1 & 3.3
Tue, Feb 24 Compound selection
Sections 3.1 & 3.3
Lab 5
Wed, Feb 25 Lab 6
Thu, Feb 26 Text files & exception handling
Mon, Mar 2 Simple while loops & loop variations
Tue, Mar 3 Lab 7
Wed, Mar 4 No class – instructor at conference
Thu, Mar 5 No class – instructor at conference
Sections 9.1, 9.3, 10.1 & 10.2
Chapter 4
Lab 6
Mon, Mar 9 Nested loops
Chapter 4
Lab 7
Tue, Mar 10 Lab 8
Wed, Mar 11 Exam review
Lab 8
Thu, Mar 12 Exam 2
Program 2
Mon, Mar 16 Spring Break – No Class
Tue, Mar 17 Spring Break – No Class
Wed, Mar 18 Spring Break – No Class
Thu, Mar 19 Spring Break – No Class
Mon, Mar 23 Multiple-method classes: intro
Chapters 5 & 6
Tue, Mar 24 Multiple-method classes
Chapters 5 & 6
Wed, Mar 25 Multiple-method classes
Chapters 5 & 6
Thu, Mar 26 Lab 9 (group project)
Mon, Mar 30 Lab 9 (group project)
Tue, Mar 31 Modeling classes: programming with objects Chapters 5 & 6
Wed, Apr 1 Modeling classes continued
Chapters 5 & 6
Thu, Apr 2 Modeling classes continued
Chapters 5 & 6
Lab 9
Mon, Apr 6 Lab 10
Tue, Apr 7 Lab 10
Wed, Apr 8 Exam review
Lab 10
Thu, Apr 9 Exam 3
Mon, Apr 13 Intro to recursion
Chapter 11
Tue, Apr 14 Recursion continued
Chapter 11
Program 3
Wed, Apr 15 Lab 11
Thu, Apr 16 Intro to arrays
Chapter 7
Mon, Apr 20 Array applications
Chapter 7
Tue, Apr 21 Array applications
Chapter 7
Lab 11
Wed, Apr 22 Lab 12
Thu, Apr 23 GUI & event-driven programming
Sections 6.8, 7.6 & 8.5
Mon, Apr 27 GUI & event-driven programming
Sections 6.8, 7.6 & 8.5
Lab 12
Tue, Apr 28 Lab 13
Wed, Apr 29 Exam review
Lab 13
Thu, Apr 30 Exam 4
Mon, May 4 Catch-up & review
Tue, May 5 Final Exam
Program 4