Diablo Valley College

Computer Science Department
Comsc 110: Introduction to Programming, Fall 2008, Section 8280

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to programming emphasizing modular design and development of programs, coding style, documentation, debugging, and testing. All control structures and data types of a commonly-used language are covered. Language: C++. Recommended: Comsc 100 or Comsc 105 or equivalent.

INSTRUCTOR:
Prof. Robert D. Burns, rburns@dvc.edu
M Office hours: 1-2pm, 3:30-4pm
TTh Office hours: 10-11am
W Office hours: 2:30-4pm

TOPICS COVERED:
Computer and Programming Terminology
Editing and Compiling Code
Constants and Variables
Identifiers, Expressions,and Statements
Console Input/Output
Functions (subprograms)
Algorithms and Pseudocode
Conditions, Logical Operators, IF statements
WHILE, FOR, and DO Loops
Grouping Data in Structures and Arrays
File I/O Basics
Simple Recursive Functions
Dynamic Data Structures
Vectors and Linked Lists

MEETING DATES AND TIMES:
M Aug 18th through W Dec 10th
MW 4-5:15pm, ATC-115 Lecture
MW 5:30-6:45pm, ATC-115 Lab
Last Day To Add: F Aug 29th
Last Day To Drop with refund: F Aug 29th
Last Day To Drop without "W": F Sep 12th
Last Day To Drop with "W": F Nov 14th
Holidays: M Sep 1, M Nov 10
Midterm exam: M Oct 20th 4-5:15pm
Final exam: M Dec 15th 5-7pm

GRADING:	Lab Exercises (16):	700 points
	Online Midterm and Final Exams (2):	100 points
	Term Project:	100 points
	Online Quizzes (15):	100 points

FINAL GRADE: Strictly applied
A	900-1000 points	B	800-899 points
C	700-799 points	D	600-699 points
F	0-599 points		no extra credit

TEXT, REFERENCES, AND SUPPLIES:
Intro To Programming, Using C++ (3rd Ed.) by Burns, hardcopy and online
Class website: http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns/
Command-line compiler: Visual C++ (avail. in computer lab)
Free editors: Pad (Windows) and JNotePad (also avail. in computer lab)
Free Windows compiler: Visual C++ 2008 Express
Additional supported compilers: UNIX/Linux/MacOSx g++; VC++ 6

CLASS POLICY:

	Expect to spend about 12 hours per week on this course -- 3 in lecture, 3 in lab, and 6 outside of class.
	Lab assignments are posted on the class website.
	Lab assignments are due at midnight of the evening of the due date indicated on the course outline. Completed lab work must be posted to the class website for credit.
	For questions on lab assignments, anytime and anywhere, use the online discussion group (accessible via links on the class website: http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns/). Students may post and reply to questions in order to help eachother. The instructor monitors the discussions and answers questions when appropriate. Use this method so that all students benefit from questions, answers, and clarifications.
	One point per day will be deducted for each late assignment. Late work will be accepted until noon on Th Dec 18th. No credit will be awarded for any late work after that time.
	Contact the instructor in person in lab, lecture, or office hour, or by email. You can use the phone during office hours -- if you leave a voice message, calls will most likely not be returned.
	The final exam and the midterm exam are both open book and open note.
	Arrangements for missed exams must be made with the instructor in advance. Make-up exams can only be scheduled for a time period in which the instructor is conducting another exam.
	Online quizzes are conducted during the 72-hour period preceding lecture as indicated in the course outline. No make-ups for missed quizzes. Quizzes cover the material for the indicated week's reading assignment in the course outline, and the lecture notes for the week. Quizzes are accessible on the class website via the internet, and require that Javascript be enabled in order to to run in your browser. Quizzes are timed, each allowing a few minutes for 5 or fewer multiple-choice questions.
	No credit will be given for work that is not original. Points awarded for lab work that is later found to be not original will be withdrawn. Points awarded for work that is deleted from the Student File Area before grades are assigned at the end of the semester will be withdrawn.
	Lecture classes start at 4:00pm sharp. Do not trust classroom clocks -- check the time on the class website home page (http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns/) which is synchronized to the atomic clock.