South Dakota State University
CSC 150 – Computer Science I – Online (3 Credit Hours)
Summer 2012
Class Meetings:
Instructor:
E-mail:
D2L:
Online
Paula Kurtenbach
paula.kurtenbach@sdstate.edu
https://d2l.sdbor.edu/
Office:
Office Hours:
Tech Support:
ECS125 / 688-4533
email for appointment
(605) 688-6776
Course Description
An introduction to computer programming. Focus on problem solving, algorithm development design,
and programming concepts. Topics include sequence, selection, repetition, functions, and arrays.
Course Prerequisites: No course prerequisites.
Technical Requirements
Configuring a computer to access D2L: https://d2l.sdbor.edu/shared/sdsu/require.htm.
Writing C++ Programs: See the Assignments Section below
Text: “Problem Solving and Program Design in C” 7th Edition by Jeri R. Hanly & Elliot B. Koffman.
The publisher is Addison-Wesley/Pearson. ISBN-13 is: 978-0-13-293649-1. The cover of this book is
gold and green. This is the first semester that we’re using this book in CSC 150.
SDSU Bookstore: http://www.sdstatebookstore.com/ or 1-800-985-8771
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/problem-solving-and-program-design-in-c-jeri-rhanly/1100032244
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Solving-Program-Design-ebook/dp/B007Q4T1AS
Objective
The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of computer science
emphasizing computer programming, logical development and implementation of solutions to problems
using a high level programming language such as C.
Goals
 Able to apply knowledge of computer science, mathematics, and science.
 Able to design, test, and implement software, as well as to analyze and interpret data and
programs.
 Able to solve future problems by applying techniques and skills learned in this course using modern
software tools.
Outcomes
A Student who successfully completes this course should be able to:
 Write, Edit, Compile, Link, and Run computer programs written in ‘C’.
 Perform standard program input and output using the keyboard and the monitor.
 Declare and use user-defined variables, and constants using the appropriate data types.
 Declare, define, and call user-defined functions.
 Write and evaluate expressions using arithmetic, relational and logical operators.




Control the flow of program execution using the appropriate sequential, selection, and repetition
statements.
Process lists of values – defining, creating, traversing, and sorting.
Define user-defined data types using built-in types and other language constructs.
Process data that is stored in external text files.
Instructional Methods
For each unit in this online course, students must read the text, view the online notes, complete the
learning activities, design, code and test a computer program(s) that meet specific criteria and take a
unit quiz. Students must also write 2 exams, a mid-term exam and a comprehensive final exam. Each
exam must be taken in a proctored environment which meets the guidelines described below. It is each
student’s responsibility to obtain an approved proctor by 2 weeks before the 1st exam and to schedule
and complete both exams within the week shown on the D2L calendar.
This course is not self-paced. You must complete the activities and assignments by the date shown in
the Calendar and Dropbox Tools of D2L. Late work will receive a reduction of 10% per day up to 1
week following the due date. Work not submitted by 1 week following the due date will receive a zero
grade. Quizzes not taken within the time specified in the D2L quiz tool will receive a score of 0.
To excel in this course, you must read the text and view the online notes before completing the learning
activities and programming assignments. Many of the questions on quizzes and exams include code
that you must analyze or write. Many times, these questions are directly related to the programming
assignments. Programming assignments become more difficult as the course progresses. It is very
important to stay caught up and to start the programming assignments early in order to do well
in the course.
Your course grade will be determined by a combination of Quiz, Learning Activity, Programming
Assignment, and Exam scores as noted below:
Grading/ Evaluation Procedures:
Quizzes
5%
Learning Activities
10%
Programming Assignments 25%
Mid-Term Exam
25%
Comprehensive Final Exam 35%
Total
100%
Grading Scale:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
0-59%
=F
Quizzes
Each unit in this course includes a quiz which asks you to answer open-ended questions about the
material in the unit. For most quizzes, you will need to describe the concepts discussed in the unit, give
the output of short programming segments and write short programming segments to fit specific criteria.
Most quizzes do not include True/False, Matching, or Multiple Choice questions. Each quiz must be
taken with the lock-down browser which can be installed by using the link that you’ll see when you start
the quiz. Quizzes are available for a limited time (usually 1-2 days) and once started, must be
completed within a specified time limit (usually 30-45 minutes). The purpose of the quizzes is to help
you focus on the course materials and to give you an idea of what to expect on the mid-term and final
exams.
It is your responsibility to install the lock-down browser and to complete the quizzes on time.
Assignments
Each unit in this course includes Learning Activities which may ask you to answer text book questions,
complete short programming exercises, or design solutions to problems. For each activity, you must
create a text document as stated in the directions for the activity. You turn in the assignment by
uploading your file and submitting it in the Dropbox Tool of D2L.
Each unit in this course also includes a Programming Assignment. To complete the programming
assignment, you must design, write and test one or more computer programs. Starting with
Programming Assignment 2, your design must be recorded and submitted along with your working
program source code (.cpp file). Most programming assignments will ask you to submit your design for
feedback / approval before you begin coding. It is your responsibility to completely test your program
so that it meets the criteria specified in the programming assignment. I will run each program and test it
against those same criteria to make sure that it is correct.
All programming assignments must be coded in C and must compile and run correctly. For the summer
session, I will test your programs in CodeBlocks. See Content – Tutorials in D2L for information about
installing and using CodeBlocks. For the summer session, you do not need to test your programs on
the Linux server. If you’re unable to install and run CodeBlocks on your own computer, you may
instead, install 2 applications that will allow you to access the Linux server at SDSU to compile and test
your programs. If you need to use the Linux server, please let me know so that I can get a login for
you.
Learning activities and programs will be submitted via the Dropbox tool in D2L. Programming
assignments will be posted at least one week in advance of their due date. Assignments must be
submitted by 11:59 pm on the due date or they will receive a reduction in points of 10% per day.
Assignments turned in more than one week after the due date will not be accepted and will receive a
zero grade.
Programming assignments that are turned in but do not compile will be returned to the student to be
“fixed and resubmitted”. They will receive the late grade reduction of 10% per day when fixed and resubmitted, in keeping with the late work policy. Homework that is not fixed and turned in will receive a
zero grade.
Exams
Each student must also write 2 exams, a mid-term and a comprehensive final exam. Both exams
contain short answer and essay questions some of which require students to analyze or write programs
or program segments. Exams are closed book, closed notes. Programmable calculators (including TI
Graphing Calculators) may not be used during the exams. Students who write their own quality
programs for the programming assignments should be able to score well on the exams.
Each exam will be given in a proctored environment. It is each student’s responsibility to schedule and
complete each exam within the week shown on the D2L calendar. Please refer to the Proctoring
Guidelines at: http://www.sdstate.edu/cee/for-students/proctor/index.cfm for more information on finding
a proctor and taking proctored exams. It is your responsibility to find a proctor for this course. All
proctors must be approved by the instructor at least 2 weeks before the first exam. When you’ve
found an appropriate proctor, complete the proctor form available at the above link, make sure that the
proctor agrees to the guidelines specified, ask the proctor to sign the form. Mail the form to me at the
address shown below, or scan it and email it to me in D2L.
Paula Kurtenbach
EECS Dept, Box 2222
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
Students who are unable to take an exam within the specified week must notify the instructor as soon
as possible to make other arrangements. If an exam is missed without advance notice, a grade of 0
may be given for the exam.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy
All students are expected to do their own work. Students who turn in duplicate assignments will receive
no more than ½ credit for the assignment. Repeat offenders will receive a zero grade for the
assignment. Students who work together to figure out an assignment, must each understand the
solution well enough to write their own unique program or answer. Upon discovery of
cheating/plagiarism, all prior work is subject to review and a change of grade.
Anyone caught cheating on an exam will receive a zero grade for that exam.
Violation of the academic policy could also result in disciplinary action by the University. For additional
information, Refer to SDSU Conduct Code 01:10:25.
Freedom in Learning
Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled.
Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely
on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views
offered in any courses of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to
academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first
contact the instructor of the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the
department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Student Accommodations:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
contact Nancy Hartenoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-6884987) to privately discuss your specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in room 125,
the Wintrode Student Success Center
Programming Note
Learning to program computers is fun & challenging. It can also be very frustrating. Please start on the
programming assignments early & be persistent. When you get stuck, ask specific, well-worded
questions and keep trying!
Course Outline
Following is a list of topics and approximate schedule for the course. The D2L calendar contains the
exact schedule for this course and takes precedence over the information listed below.
Topic
Unit 1, Introduction to
Computers
Unit 2, Introduction to C++
Time
.6 weeks
.8 weeks
Objective
- Write, Edit, Compile, Link, and Run C++ computer
programs.
- Declare and use user-defined variables with appropriate
data types.
- Perform standard program input and output using the
keyboard and the monitor.
Unit 3, Expressions and File
I/O with an Introduction to
Functions
1.4 weeks
Unit 4, Decisions
1.2 weeks
Mid-Term Exam, Units 1-4
.2 weeks
Unit 5, Repetition
1.2 weeks
Unit 6, Functions
1.2 weeks
Unit 7, Arrays
1.2 weeks
Final Exam (Comprehensive)
.2 weeks
- Declare and use user-defined constants with appropriate
data types.
- Write and evaluate expressions using arithmetic operators.
- Control the flow of program execution using the appropriate
sequential statements.
- Process data that is stored in external text files.
- Declare, define, and call user-defined functions.
- Write and evaluate expressions using relational and logical
operators.
- Control the flow of program execution using the appropriate
selection statements.
- Unit 1 through Unit 3 Objectives
- Control the flow of program execution using the appropriate
repetition statements.
- Declare, define, and call user-defined functions.
- Control the flow of program execution using the appropriate
sequential statements.
- Process lists of values: defining, creating, traversing, and
sorting.
- Define user-defined data types using built-in types and other
language constructs.
- Unit 1 through Unit 7 Objectives