UMBC CMSC201, Computer Science I, Spring 1994 Sections 0101, 0102 and Honors

Course Description

Instructor

Instructor : Prof. Richard Chang
Office: Eng. & CS Building, room 225E
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (after class) or by appointment
Telephone: 455-3093 (office), 455-3000 (dept. office)
E-mail: chang@gl.umbc.edu

Note: The teaching assistant's office hours will be announced later

Time and Place

Tuesday & Thursday 2:30pm - 3:45pm, Lecture Hall V.

Textbook

A C-Based Introduction to Computer Science, Eric S. Roberts, pre-print manuscript, Addison-Wesley publishers. Beware: This is not the same edition as the one used last semester.

Prerequisites

The only formal prerequisite for this class is Math 150, Precalculus Mathematics. However, this course is designed for Computer Science Majors and will emphasize programming skills.

Objectives

The objectives of this course are:

To learn basic programming skills, especially software development using the C language.
To learn how to use UMBC's UNIX system to create, test and execute C programs.
To develop problem-solving skills, especially in the use of computers to solve real-world problems.
To prepare for further study in Computer Science.

Grading

There will be 5 projects worth 7 points each for a total of 35 points; 3 quizzes worth 5 points each for a total of 15 points; a midterm exam and a final exam worth 25 points each. Your final letter grade may be curved above the standard formula:

0 < = F < 60, 60 <= D < 70, 70 < = C < 80, 80 < = B < 90, 90 < = A < = 100.

Under no circumstances will the grades be curved downward. Your grade is given for timely work done during the semester; incomplete grades will only be given for medical illness or other such dire circumstances.

Project Submission and Grading

The critical programming skills cannot be learned simply by attending the lectures. You should budget enough time to work on the projects as well. You will be given 2 weeks to work on each project. Projects are due by midnight of the due date. If you fail to turn in the project by this time, a 4% penalty will be assessed which doubles every 24 hours (including weekends). For example, if you turn in Project 1 on Monday, February 28 instead of Thursday, February 24, then 32% will be taken off your project grade. Projects will be graded according to five equal parts: correctness, design, style, documentation and efficiency.

You will be turning in your projects electronically. Details will be announced in class.

Project Policy

All projects must be completed by your own individual effort. You should never have a copy of someone else's project either in print or electronically under any circumstance. Also, you should never give a copy of your project to another student. This also means that you cannot "work" on the project together. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely.

Exams

The exams and quizzes will be closed-book and closed-notes. The date for the midterm exam is Thursday, March 24. The final exam will be comprehensive and cover the material from the entire course. The final exam will be on Thursday, May 19. The quizzes are on February 24, April 12 and May 3. (See syllabus .)

Last Modified: June 9, 1994

Richard Chang, chang@gl.umbc.edu