Last updated: 01/10/2008

CSC 102 Computer Science Principles

Objective:   To expose students to the basic concepts of computer systems, system software, problem solving, program development, and the most important modern topics within the discipline.

PREREQUISITE:  ACT1 Math score >= 21 orSAT Math score >=500
or TASPT Math score >=270 or CLM Math score >= 63or MTH 099 w/ min grade C

Required texts:
(1) Liang, Y. Daniel. Introduction to Java Programming: Fundamentals First, 6th ed., Prentice-Hall (2007).
(2) Dann, Wanda P.; Cooper, Stephen; and Pausch, Randy. Learning to Program with Alice, Pearson Prentice Hall (2006).

 Other optional materials:
(1) A USB flash drive. It will be difficult to survive without one of these if you do all your work in the lab.
(2) Alice 2.0 (packaged with the Alice text above or obtainable free from www.alice.org) for installation on your own computer if you have one.
( 3) Headphones for lab use (lab computers do not have speakers).

For HELP! with your computer: http://www.sfasu.edu/its/services/students/

Link to McGee Computer Lab information

 NOTE: There are no exemptions for the final exam; the final exam will be administered only at the time specified in the Schedule of Classes. If the final time is a problem, you need to drop this course. In order to pass this course, you must take the final examination and earn better than a zero!

ASSIGNMENTS:  (20% of the course grade) 8 to 12 program assignments. At least 5 Java program assignments must be completed, or your final course average will be lowered by one letter grade.  Other homework assignments. Announced or unannounced quizzes and in-class exercises. Quizzes will usually be given during the first 5 minutes of a class. (These can not be made up). Assignments and exercises may not be equally weighted.

 University DROP POLICY:  See link to drop dates.

Department of Computer Science McGee 303 468-2508

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS CONDUCT: Seating assignments may be made. Roll will be taken regularly. Whether present or not, you are responsible for all lecture material . If you are absent from class, please do not come to my office to ask me to repeat the class lecture. Use of tobacco and eating or drinking in the classroom are not permitted. Wearing of hats during exams is not permitted. Please keep your feet off the seat backs. Inappropriate behavior, offensive language, or disruption of the class will not be tolerated. Such behavior may result in administrative removal from class. Cell phones, pagers, and computers should be turned off for the duration of the class. Only students officially registered for the course and approved assistants may attend.   Do not sleep in class; I will wake you up.

LAB: Lab sessions are available every week for this class. During these sessions one or more qualified lab assistants will be available to help you with programming problems. See me immediately if you are not able to attend at least one of the available lab times every week. 

CHEATING:  See Academic Integrity Policy. If in my judgement a student is found cheating on an examination, a grade of zero will be assigned as the examination grade and a minimum of one letter grade will be lost in the course grade. A course grade of F may be assigned depending on the situation. If requested, valid student I.D. cards must be presented on each examination day; no I.D. means a grade of zero.

 Unless you are otherwise instructed, all class assignments are to be done independently. If in my judgment a student is found cheating on any part of a homework assignment or quiz, the student may receive negative points equal to the value of the entire homework/quiz, and a minimum of one letter grade may be lost in the course grade.  A negative grade will not be replaced by any possible bonus assignment. I consider the person who did the work (homework, quiz, test) and the person copying the work as both cheating.  Students should be able to talk intelligently to me about their solution to a given assignment if I think it is necessary. DO YOUR OWN WORK! DO NOT SHOW YOUR COMPLETED WORK TO OTHERS!  DO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO COPY YOUR WORK!

COMPUTER ACCOUNT POLICY: Any computer account that may be assigned to you in this class should be used only to complete assignments given to you in this class. Failure to abide by this policy can cause you to receive an F for this course.

SOFTWARE POLICY:  Disciplinary action will be taken against individuals who perform unauthorized duplication of computer software or who are involved in the unauthorized use of duplicated software. This action may make it impossible for you to pass the course.

ASSIGNMENT POLICY:  All assignments that are to be submitted in person are due at the BEGINNING of class (or by an announced time) on the specified due date. That means that any assignment submitted after I have collected the assignments from the class is considered to be late.Unless otherwise announced, no such assignment will be accepted for credit after class. As much as 100% of the total credit may be deducted from late assignments.

 Assignments that are accepted through WebCT will normally be due at 11:45 p.m. on a designated date. Unless otherwise announced, no WebCT assignment will be accepted late. However, completely correct, early submissions may be given bonus credit.  

Programs that do not compile are not acceptable.

 No assignments are accepted after the last class day at 5:00 p.m. Please note: You may be given assignments due during the last five class days of the semester.

 Please save all graded assignments until the term is over. Any work turned in to my box should be dated and time-stamped by the CSC dept. staff. Please ask nicely!

 EXAMINATION POLICY:  All class examinations are considered to be a major part of the course work upon which a large part of the course grade depends. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS! Class examinations will be announced at least two classes prior to the exam. If participation in a University-sponsored event conflicts with a scheduled examination, the student must notify me well in advance of the test. In the case of an extreme emergency, contact me before the scheduled examination if at all possible. Failure to do so may result in an examination grade of zero. A grade of zero will be assigned for any missed unannounced quizzes or in-class exercises.

COMPUTING LABORATORY USAGE: Students who utilize equipment in university computing laboratories are expected to read and abide by all posted policies for the laboratories. Please note that no children are permitted in university computing laboratories.

 SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Students with special accommodation requests have the responsibility to immediately initiate a meeting with the instructor to discuss how the special accommodations will be provided. Students who are aware of these special needs at the beginning of the semester must inform the instructor in person before the twelfth class day (or fourth class day during summer term) about any class activity which will require special accommodations.  Students with Disabilities - To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services, Wisely Hall, Room 104, 468-3004/468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, DS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided.

 NO OFFICIAL NOTICES SUCH AS CHANGES TO EXAM TIMES AND SO FORTH WILL BE SENT VIA non-WebCT E-MAIL BY THE INSTRUCTOR. (1/10/2008)

 A Summary of Some Important Points
 - Plan to attend the lab sessions.
 - No makeup exams or quizzes.
 - Work independently.
 - Complete at least five program assignments.
 - Quizzes may be given at the beginning of class.
 - See me, call me, or email me if you need help.
 - Show respect for your classmates, yourself, and me.