CS 140 Syllabus Spring 2009

Instructor

  • Ed Harcourt
  • Office: Valentine 210
  • Phone: x5444
  • edharcourt@stlawu.edu
  • Office hours: Monday - Thursday 9AM - 10AM. I am often in the office all morning Monday through Thursday. Most afternoons I teach and can be hard to find.

Course Info

CS 140 - Introduction to Programming

This is a first course in computer programming. There is no prerequisite for this course. The course web site is accessible here.

There is no required textbook for this course, that makes it imperative that you attend every class and take careful notes.


Required Software

If you want to be able to do the programming assignments on your own computer you'll need the software listed below. Install them in the order listed.

  1. The Java SDK (Software Development Kit). There is a copy of this in 
    T:\Harcourt\Public\lab_software\jdk-6u11-windows-i586-p.exe
    Copy this to your desktop and double click on it. It is big and may take a while to install. Once it is done installing you can remove the file you copied to your desktop.
  2. DrJava. There is a copy at 
    T:\Harcourt\Public\lab_software\drjava.exe
    Simply copy this file to your desktop. Double click on it to make sure that DrJava comes up.
  3. In DrJava go to Edit -> Preferences. Click on Add. In the dialog box that comes up go to the CS140Classes folder that you have on your P: drive. It is probably at P:\CS140Classes. Click on Select, then OK and then exit DrJava and restart it to pick up the new settings.

If you have a Macintosh stop by and see me.


Grading

Grades are based on a 100 point scale and are derived from the following.

It is imperative that you keep copies of your graded work. Mostly these will be useful for studying, but occasionally we'll need to reconcile a grading difference and I'll need to see your graded copy.

Calculating your grade

To determine your exam average add up the total number of points you have received on exams and quizzes and divide by the total number of possible exam points.

To determine your lab average add up the total number of points you have received on in-class labs and divide by the total number of possible lab points.

To determine your homework average add up the total number of points you have received on homework assignments and divide by the total number of possible homework points.

The 100 points above translate to the following GPA points.

Click here to toggle displaying the grade table.

In Class Work

Just about every class period there will be an in class lab for you to work on. You may work with a partner if you wish. You do not have to. There is only one possible grade for a lab, it is either done or not done. You must be present in class to get credit for the lab. You can not make them up.

Exams

There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam.

  1. Exam 1: Tuesday February 17
  2. Exam 2: Thursday March 26
  3. Final exam: Tuesday May 5, 1:30 - 4:30.

There will be many short quizzes during the semester. These are almost always based on material covered the previous class.

Homework

You will have regular programming assignments about one a week. These will be due at the beginning of the class. These assignments are designed to reinforce something you learned in a previous class and also to prepare you for the next class. You will always turn in two thing for a homework; a program printout, and the file copied to your personal folder on the T: drive.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. You will be allowed two absences during the semester. After that your final grade will be reduced by two points per absence.


Academic Integrity

Please read the university's academic integrity policies in your student handbook. For in in class labs you may work with a partner. Your homework assignments must be your own work entirely. Please use me and the course TA and/or QRC staff for help.