Description
CS163: Java (CS1) No Prior Programming
Computer programming in Java for students without previous programming experience. Topics include variables, assignment, expressions, operators, booleans, conditionals, characters and strings, control loops, arrays, objects and classes, file input/output, interfaces, recursion, lists, and sorting.
CS164: Java (CS1) Prior ProgrammingComputer programming in Java for students with previous programming experience, not necessarily in Java. Topics include variables, assignment, expressions, operators, booleans, conditionals, characters and strings, control loops, arrays, objects and classes, file input/output, interfaces, recursion, lists, and sorting.
Personnel
Office Location: COMSC 256 Office Hours: |
Prerequisites
MATH 124 (Logarithmic and Exponential Functions) with a C or better
Textbook
Java Programming (Required):
Introduction to Java Programming (Comprehensive Edition), Daniel Liang (10th edition)
This course uses a digital ereader to access the Liang book. The license to the ereader is available to you automagically.
Zyante (Required):
We are using an online tutorial from Zyante to supplement the Liang textbook. You must purchase the tutorial directly from Zyante (not the bookstore), and the cost is $48. Instructions for registering with Zyante are as follows:
iClickers (Required):
You are required to purchase an iClicker remote for in-class participation. iClicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your iClicker remote on Canvas by classtime, August 23, 2017. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab.
Piazza (Optional):
This term we will be using Piazza for class discussion. The system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, teaching assistants, and the instructor. Rather than emailing questions to the teaching staff, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers, email team@piazza.com. Piazza will be accessed via the Module tab on Canvas.
Piazza does not cost anything to students or the department. It allows students to post questions and get answers about the following topics:
Introduction to Java Programming (Comprehensive Edition), Daniel Liang (10th edition)
This course uses a digital ereader to access the Liang book. The license to the ereader is available to you automagically.
Zyante (Required):
We are using an online tutorial from Zyante to supplement the Liang textbook. You must purchase the tutorial directly from Zyante (not the bookstore), and the cost is $48. Instructions for registering with Zyante are as follows:
- Sign up at zyBooks.com
- Enter zyBook code: COLOSTATECS163WakefieldFall2017
- Click Subscribe
iClickers (Required):
You are required to purchase an iClicker remote for in-class participation. iClicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your iClicker remote on Canvas by classtime, August 23, 2017. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab.
Piazza (Optional):
This term we will be using Piazza for class discussion. The system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, teaching assistants, and the instructor. Rather than emailing questions to the teaching staff, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers, email team@piazza.com. Piazza will be accessed via the Module tab on Canvas.
Piazza does not cost anything to students or the department. It allows students to post questions and get answers about the following topics:
- Java Programming
- Linux Operating System
- Eclipse Development Tools
- Programming Assignments
- Please do not post any of your assignment code on Piazza.
- No profanity, sexism, racism, or anything in bad taste, of course!
CS163 Schedule
| What | Days | Time | Instructor | Helper | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Sect. 001/301) | M W F | 12:00pm - 12:50pm | Benjamin Say | Rachel Hirsch | Scott Bioengineering 101 |
| Lecture (Sect. 002) | M W F | 4:00pm - 4:50pm | Benjamin Say | Akash Shrestha | Clark A 201 |
| Lab (L01) | T R | 8:00am - 8:50am | Paul Bivrell | MingFeng "Ken" Wang | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L02/LN2) | T R | 12:00pm - 12:50pm | Saptashwa Mitra | Yao Shi | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L03) | T R | 2:00pm - 2:50pm | Rachel Hirsch | David Im | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L04) | T R | 3:00pm - 3:50pm | Rachel Hirsch | Tom Stroup | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L05) | T R | 9:00am - 9:50am | Paul Bivrell | Riley Clark | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L06) | T R | 10:00am - 10:50am | Akash Shrestha | Riley Clark | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L07) | W F | 3:00pm - 3:50pm | Rachel Hirsch | MingFeng "Ken" Wang | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L08) | W F | 9:00am - 9:50am | Akash Shrestha | Sabrina White | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L09) | T R | 1:00pm - 1:50pm | Akash Shrestha | Yao Shi | COMSC 215 |
Help Desk
The help desk is a breakout room on the north side of the COMSC 120 lab. Throughout
the day there are lab operators in COMSC 120 that can provide limited help, but during
the hours posted below a teaching assistant from this class is available to help students.
The COMSC 120 lab is open 24/7.
Help Desk Hours TBA
| Days | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sun. | 4:00pm- 8:00pm | COMSC 120 |
| Mon. | 10:00am- 6:00pm | COMSC 120 |
| Tue. | 10:00am- 6:00pm | COMSC 120 |
| Wed. | 10:00am- 6:00pm | COMSC 120 |
| Thu. | 10:00am- 6:00pm | COMSC 120 |
| Fri. | 10:00am- 4:00pm | COMSC 120 |
Grading
The course requires demonstration of a student’s grasp of the concepts on evaluations.
Here is the grading scheme:
Teaching assistants grade assignments, labs, and quizzes. If you believe you have been graded unfairly, talk with the help desk (assignments) or your teaching assistant (labs) first. If you cannot visit help desk, please post to the grade complaints topic on Piazza. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on Canvas!
We will not assign lower grades than shown. However, your average score on exams must be ≥60% to receive a passing grade (C) in this course.
Early Performance Feedback
This course participates in Early Performance Feedback. This gives students an opportunity to identify if they might need to make changes in how they are approaching the course before the drop date. Students with a course average less than 70% after the first exam will receive information from the campus Collaborative for Student Achievement office about resources to help them get a passing grade in the course. The instructor and TAs are also available to talk with any student concerned if they will get a passing grade in the course. Just ask!
| Activity | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 10% | Java Assignments |
| Quizzes | 10% | IClicker Responses and ZyBooks |
| Labs | 10% | Lab Attendance and Completion |
| Programming Quizzes | 10% | In-Lab Programming Quizzes |
| Midterm 1 | 15% | First Midterm |
| Midterm 2 | 15% | Second Midterm |
| Midterm 3 | 15% | Third Midterm |
| Final Exam | 15% | Comprehensive Exam |
Teaching assistants grade assignments, labs, and quizzes. If you believe you have been graded unfairly, talk with the help desk (assignments) or your teaching assistant (labs) first. If you cannot visit help desk, please post to the grade complaints topic on Piazza. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on Canvas!
- Assignments will be done individually. As required by the department, we will check for collaboration using a software tool, so do your own work!
- Lab participation is strongly encouraged. A portion of the class grade comes from successfully finishing the assigned lab work, and our previous students have indicated that labs are the best part of this class.
- Programming Quizzes will be taken during lab hours with no additional aids. They are used to test your understanding of Java topics.
-
Peer Instruction sessions are held during lectures and require
you to bring an iClicker. These sessions can occur at anytime during
a lecture, be sure to have your iClicker with you.
There will not be any paper quizzes during lectures.
| Letter Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | ≥90% |
| B | ≥80% |
| C | ≥70% |
| D | ≥60% |
| F | <60% |
We will not assign lower grades than shown. However, your average score on exams must be ≥60% to receive a passing grade (C) in this course.
Early Performance Feedback
This course participates in Early Performance Feedback. This gives students an opportunity to identify if they might need to make changes in how they are approaching the course before the drop date. Students with a course average less than 70% after the first exam will receive information from the campus Collaborative for Student Achievement office about resources to help them get a passing grade in the course. The instructor and TAs are also available to talk with any student concerned if they will get a passing grade in the course. Just ask!
Important Dates
| Date | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First day of classes | Aug 21 | Normal Classroom |
| Deadline to add without override | Aug 27 | N/A |
| Last day to drop | Sept 6 | N/A |
| First midterm | Sept 15, 7a-4p | CSB 110 |
| Second midterm | Oct 13, 8a-4p | CSB 110 |
| Last day to withdraw | Oct 16 | N/A |
| Third midterm | Nov 10, 8a-4p | CSB 110 |
| Early Final (Optional, take instead of during finals week!) | Tentative Dec 8, 8am-4pm | TBA |
| Final Exam (Section 001/301) | Dec 13, 4:10pm - 6:10pm | CSB 110 and 120 |
| Final Exam (Section 002) | Dec 11, 4:10pm - 6:10pm | CSB 110 and 120 |
Midterms will be held in the CS110 lab. Timeslot sign up will be done through Canvas.
Information on how to sign up for a time will be made available in class closer to exam time.
There will be no class on the exam days.
The final exam will be in the Computer Science Building in the 110 and 120 labs. The final exam is comprehensive.
In-Class Participation
All students taking this course are expected to participate actively. This includes asking and responding to questions. Students are also expected to scan the announcements on the home page and the progress page every day for updates. If an assignment changes significantly, we are responsible for sending out an email.
