Syllabus for CMSC 255 Introduction to Programing
Fall 2014
Department of Computer Science
Instructor: George M. Cardwell
Office: Engineering East 4255
Phone: (804) 840-2836
Email Address: gmcardwe@vcu.edu
Skype: gmcardwell57
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Course Description: Semester course; 3 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 4 credits.
Prerequisite: calculus-level placement on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within
the one-year period immediately preceding enrollment in the couse, or MATH 151 or
equivalent. Students are expected to have fundamental computer skills. Introduction to
object-oriented programming using Java. Topics include problem-solving, top-down
design of algorithms using control structures, methods, arrays, basic I/O, basic concepts
of objects and classes in Java, Java classes for manipulating strings, and introduction to
program testing, UML notation and integrated development environments. Students may
not receive credit for both CMSC 255 and INFO 250.
Prerequisite: MATH 151 or equivalent with grade C or better.
Text and Other Materials: Big Java Late Objects by Cary S. Horstmann , Publisher
John Wiley and Sons copy right year 2013.
e-text ISBN-10 1-118-32454-4
ISBN-13 978-1-118-32454-7
print-text ISBN-10 1-118-08788-7
ISBN-13 978-1-118-08788-6
Test:
There will be three in class test. Test 1 will cover chapters 1, 2, and 3, test 2 will cover
chapters 4 and 5, and test 3 will cover chapters 6, 7, and 8. You must take each test on
the specified test date.
Lab Assignments
There will be 12 to 14 lab assignments. Small programming projects and
research questions.
Programming Projects:
There will be six to eight programming projects where you will be give a problem to
solve by writing a java program. These programming projects must be turned in on the
assigned due date.
The following is a general guideline of how the programs will be graded.
A program that fails to run will loose points for correct output, readable output, and error
handling (40%). Projects will be graded according to the following percentages.
Comments used appropriately ……………………………………………….10%
Choice of variable names…………………………………………………….10%
Program layout an appearance……………………………...………………..10%
Appropriate use of methods/classes………………………………………….25%
Correct output………………………………………………………………...30%
Readable output………………………………………………………………. 5%
Error Handling………………………………………………………………..10%
The values given above will change slightly as we learn more aspects of computer
programming.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be cumulative and will be given on Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014 from 1:00
PM to 3:50 PM
Determination of Grades: The final grade will be computed using the percentages below
Test-1
10%
Test-2
10%
Test-3
10%
Lab
Assignment
Average
10%
Projects
30%
Final Exam
30 %
Grade Scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Tentative Course Material: We will be covering chapters 1 through 8 in the textbook.
Important Dates to Know:
Important dates for the Spring 2013 semester are available at:
http://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/ac_fullViewAll.asp?term=Fall+2014
Statement on Americans with Disabilities Act:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
require Virginia
Commonwealth University to provide an 'academic adjustment' and/or a 'reasonable
accommodation' to any
individual who advises us of a physical or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental
limitation that requires
an academic adjustment or an accommodation, please arrange a meeting with me at your earliest
convenience.
Additionally, if your course work requires you to work in a lab environment, you should advise
the instructor or
department chairperson of any concerns you may have regarding safety issues related to your
limitation(s). The VCU
Disability Support Services website is http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/
VCU Honor System: All VCU students are presumed upon enrollment to have acquainted
themselves with and have
an understanding of the Honor System. Therefore, it is a student's responsibility to ask course
instructors to clarify
expectations for each assignment in order to be in compliance with the Honor System. The 2007 8 VCU Honor
System policy statement and purpose is located at
http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf
Classroom Conduct: Professional conduct will be expected at ALL TIMES and disruptive
talking or behavior will
NOT be allowed. A description of the VCU Student Conduct in Instructional Settings Policy can
be found at:
http://www.ts.vcu.edu/policies/studentconduct.html
VCU Statement on Safety
Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your
information
up-to-date.
Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes
are posted in
on campus classrooms.
Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious
activities and
objects.
University Counseling Services: http://www.students.vcu.edu/counseling