Diablo Valley College
Computer Science Department
COMSC 255: Programming With Java, Section 8924

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course emphasizes programming techniques using the Java programming language. The syntax of Java will be reviewed, and then advanced topics such as objects, classes, methods, and special applications of Java will be covered.

INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Robert D. Burns, rburns@dvc.edu
Office: FO-227, (925) 685-1230 x2610
Office Hours: MW: 2:30-4PM,
  TTh: 12-12:30, 3:30-4PM
TOPICS COVERED:
The Java 2 JDK
Java Syntax and Data Types
Program Control Structures
Jars and Packages
Classes and Encapsulation
Objects and Instantiation
File and Console I/O
Arrays, Linked Lists, and Maps
Class Design and Inheritance
Windows, AWT, and Swing
Applets and Graphics
Sockets and TCP/IP Networking
Threads and Animation
MEETING DATES AND TIMES:
Jan 13th through May 12th
M 4:00-7:00P, BE-214 Lab
M 7:00-9:50P, L-143 Lecture
Holidays: Jan 20, Feb 17, Apr 21
Final Exam: M May 19th, 7-9P
GRADING: Lab Exercises (16):  800 points
Midterm Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 50 points
Final Project:  50 points
Online Quizzes (12): 50 points
FINAL GRADE: A 900-1000 points
B 800-899 points
C 650-799 points
D 500-649 points
F 0-499 points
TEXT, REFERENCES, AND SUPPLIES:
Java: Visual Blueprint by Friedman-Hill (required) $26
Java, How to Program by Deitel and Deitel, 4th ed  (optional) $70 
Class website: http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns
Online Tutorial: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/
Java 2 JDK, version 1.4
Java 2 Platform, Std Ed, v1.4 online documentation
Pad 2.7 or JNotePad Text Editor (link supplied) or equivalent
all software available on COMSC SU2002 loaner CD from Media Center
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 will be posted every weekend, 8 days before their due dates.
Lab assignments and the final project are due at midnight of the evening of the due date  indicated on the course outline.
For questions on lab assignments, use the online discussion group. 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.
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.
Online quizzes are conducted during the 72-hour period preceding lecture on the Mondays of the weeks indicated in the course outline. No make-ups for missed quizzes.
Online quizzes cover only the material for the indicated week's reading assignment in the course outline. Quizzes are accessible on the class website via the internet. They are timed, allowing 3 minutes for 4 or 5 multiple-choice questions.
The final exam and the midterm exam are both open book and open note.
Half-credit for late assignments up to one week late. No credit thereafter. The deadline for all late submissions is noon of the day after the final exam.
Make-up arrangements for missed exams must be arranged with the instructor in advance. All make-up exams take place in the Assessment Center
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. 
Lecture classes start at 7:00PM sharp. Do not trust classroom clocks -- check the time at http://www.time.gov/