Diablo Valley College

Computer Science Department
Comsc 210: Program Design & Data Structures, Spring 2007, Section 1250
 


COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Techniques relevant to program design and selection of data structures for larger programs. Topics covered include design techniques, effective use of recursion, algorithmic efficiency and O-notation, linked lists, binary trees, B-trees, graphs, sorting, and searching techniques. Extensive programming of a variety of data structures is required. CAN CSCI 24, CSU, UC Prerequisite: Comsc 255 or 265 or equivalent.

INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Robert D. Burns, rburns@dvc.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9-10am FO-F227 685-1230x2610
Office Hours: TTh 9-9:30am & 12:30-1pm ATC-115
TOPICS COVERED:
List structures
Table structures
Tree structures
Finding records
Sorting records
Maintaining structures
Abstract data types (ADTs)
Classic algorithms
Efficiency considerations
MEETING DATES AND TIMES:
W Jan 17th through F May 18th
MWF 12-1pm, ACT-115 Lecture
MWF 1-1:50pm, ATC-115 Lab
Last Day To Add: M Jan 29th
Last Day To Drop with refund: M Jan 29th
Last Day To Drop without "W": M Feb 12th
Last Day To Drop with "W": F Apr 27th
Holidays: Feb 9, Feb 19, Mar 30, Apr 2-6
Midterm Exam: M Mar 19th, 12-1:15pm
Final Exam: M May 21th, 1-3pm
GRADING: Lab Exercises (16):  800 points
Midterm Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 50 points
Final Project:  50 points
Online Quizzes (16): 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:
Data Structures and Program Design in C++ by Ryba & Kruse (required)
Introduction To Programming, Using C++ by Burns (recommended)
Class website: http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns
Visual C++ 6.0 or .NET(avail. in computer lab)
UNIX/Linux g++ (avail. in computer lab via WinScp)
USB drive or floppy 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 Th May 24th. 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 noon 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.