Principles of Computing (CSIT 1100)

Fall 2009, 1-1:50 p.m. MWF Rm. 130 Resch Sci (a.k.a. CSLab)

Instructor: Jim Jones
Office hrs: 10:30-11:30 a.m. daily and other times as available
Office: Room 118 Resch Science Center (Phone x5294)

Materials: Introduction to Python, by Mark Johnson
Graphics.py instructions, by John Zelle
Introduction to VPython, by VPython.org

Course Description:
An introduction to the fundamentals of computer programming through extensive practice developing software in the Python language. Fundamental terminology and topics such as integrated development environments, variables, data types, control structures, functions, and objects will be covered.

Course Schedule:
The pace of this course depends on the nature of the class, class discussion, and unplanned circumstances. We will take the topics in the order appearing in the textbook. We will also take some side-trips into more media computation with different dialects of Python. Assignments and exams will be announced in class. In as much as possible I will also announce them by email and on the class website (see below).

E-mail Communication:
Check your Graceland email often. It is where I send announcements. cpsc1100-L@graceland.edu) everyone in class gets it, including me (jsjones@graceland.edu). Send email to this address to broadcast questions or information of interest to the entire class to see. -->

Class Web Site:
I expect you to frequently visit the class website for announcements, grades, deadlines, and instructions. You can get to any of my class websites from my Graceland webpage at http://csit.graceland.edu/~jsjones.

Grading:
My objective in grading is to be fair and predictable. Whenever I am concerned that some students are relying too much on others for help or not doing the reading, my attention shifts to writing exams in order to be fair to those who are studying. I try to be predictable by assigning points to assignments, projects, and exams that reflect their value relative to others. Thus, a 20-pointer has twice the weight of a 10-pointer no matter whether it is an exercise or an exam. I also assign points so that no one item is insignificant or overly significant to the final grade. You can easily determine your grade at any point by dividing the total points you earned by the total points possible. Expect at least two major exams (midterm and final) and regular homework assignments.

A: 90% and above B: 80% and above C: 70% and above D: 55% and above F: below 55%

I generally do not "curve" grades, but I sometimes look at how class scores are clustered to get a truer sense of where the actual grade categories lay.

Attendance:
Attendance, promptness and participation are expected by me. Conscious or unconscious, I may drag things at the start of class as I wait for empty seats to fill up. I am required to track absences, excused or not. Perfect attendance will earn you favor if you are just short of a borderline grade decision.

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, at 1 p.m.
Mark your calendar NOW since there is a strict Graceland policy on final examinations. Only those with 3 or more finals on the same day can seek changes. Go to http://csit.graceland.edu/~jsjones/finals to determine all your final exam times to see if you will face this and need to talk with your teachers (FYI- this webpage is a Python CGI based form).

Late Work:
Late is better than never but I expect things turned in on time so that I can discuss the solutions. Expect a 20% penalty for late work and much greater penalties for work submitted after I have graded the work of others. The amount of credit, if any, is at my discretion and depends on the nature of the assignment, quality, and originality.

Resubmission of Work:
I do not accept resubmitted assignments and do not allow students to retake exams to better one's score. However, I reserve the right to do so if, in my judgment, circumstances warrant it.

Classroom Civility/Courtesy:
Checking email and engaging in electronic chats are inappropriate during class sessions in the computer labs, especially while I am lecturing. These constitute lack of participation and a "virtual" absence.
It is rude and disruptive to come late or leave early. If you need to do so, please inform or ask me beforehand.
Turn off cell phones during class and exams. See me beforehand if you need an exception.
Hats, notes, bookbags and other materials are to be placed on the floor or out of sight during an exam.
Civility is expected toward the teacher and with each other. Being disruptive or argumentative in class is inappropriate. Resolve conflicts outside of classtime.

Plagiarism and Cheating:
So much of what we do is electronic in nature, easy to transmit and copy. Take special care to stay honest when seeking help and facing a deadline. Protect your work from those who might copy it and do not get so involved in helping someone that you are merely doing their work (an easy trap to fall into). Always put answers that you discover on the Web in your own words and cite where you found them. When in doubt about what is appropriate, ask me. See also the Graceland policy on academic integrity.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.