Diablo Valley College

Computer Science Department
COMSC 110: Introduction to Programming, Section 8274

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:
Dr. Robert D. Burns, rburns@dvc.edu
Office: ET-116E (925)685-1230 x2649
hours: TTh:7:30-8am, noon-12:30pm
Office: FO-F227 (925)685-1230 x2610
hours: TW:2:30-4pm

TOPICS COVERED:
Computer and Programming Terminology
Data types; Constants and Variables
Expressions and Assignment Statements
Input/Output
Functions (subprograms)
Structure Charts, Flowcharting, Pseudocode
Conditions, Logical Operators, IF statements, Loops
Data Representation and Advanced Data Types
Structured Types, Arrays and Multidimensional Arrays
File Basics
Simple Recursive Functions
Dynamic Data Structures
Singly Linked Lists

MEETING DATES AND TIMES:
Jan 19th through May 18th
W 4-7pm, L-149 Lab
W 7-9:50pm, L-143 Lecture
Last Day To Add: Feb 7th
Last Day To Drop with refund: Jan 31st
Last Day To Drop without "W": Feb 10th
Last Day To Drop with "W": Apr 29th
Holiday: W Mar 30th
Midterm Exam: W Mar 16th, 8:25pm
Final Exam: W May 25th, 7-9pm

GRADING:	Lab Exercises (16):	800 points
	Midterm Exam:	50 points
	Final Exam:	50 points
	Final Project:	50 points
	Online Quizzes (15):	50 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:
Programming and Problem Solving with C++
by Dale, Weems, and Headington, 3rd edition (required)
Class website: http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns/
Visual C++ 6.0 or .NET(avail. in computer lab)
g++ (avail. via gblrk.dvc.edu using putty and winscp)
USB drive, Zip disk, or diskettes

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 May 26th. 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. 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, 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 7:00pm 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.