Welcome to the Fall 2005 session of Grinnell College's CSC 152,
Fundamentals of Computer Science II, which is described
relatively well in the official blurb.
My own take on this course is that we'll be expanding your knowledge
of Computer Science and of computer programming, while emphasizing
the development and analysis of common data structures and algorithms.
We will be using Java as our development language. As in all Grinnell
callses, we'll also be working on general thinking and work skills.
In an attempt to provide up-to-date information, and to spare a few
trees, I am making this as much of a paperless
course as
I can.
Warning! Experience shows that CSC152 is a significantly
more time-consuming and accelerated course than CSC151.
Meets: MTuWF 11:00-11:50 a.m., Science 2417
Instructor:
Samuel A. Rebelsky,
Science 2427. Office hours: Tu 1:15-3:05.; F 1:15-2:05.
I also tend to follow an open door policy: Feel
free to stop by when my door is open or to make an appointment for
another time. Check my
schedule
for more details.
Teaching Assistant
To be determined.
My grading policy is always subject to change.
- 3 Exams: 25% each
- Homework: 15%
- Class participation: 10%
The final examination for this course is optional. It can be used
as a makeup for one examination. Like the other examinations, it will
be a take-home examination.
Late Work:
My experience shows that students who turn in work late learn
significantly less than students who turn material in on time. (I'm
not sure about cause and effect.) Hence, I strongly discourage late
assignments. Unless prior arrangements have been made, assignments
are due within five minutes of the start of class. After that they are
considered late. Late assignments are immediately penalized one letter
grade plus one letter grade per day late (or fraction thereof).
Labs:
While you won't do as many labs as you did in CS151 (if you took CS151),
Labs are for your benefit, not mine, so I won't be grading most of them
(other than to check that you completed them).
Participation:
As I suggest in my statement on teaching
and learning, I don't think you learn the material as well if you
don't participate actively in the class. Hence, a portion of your grade
is based on participation. Students who miss no more than two classes and
who regularly answer questions or make comments in class receive 90 for
participation. Missing 3 or 4 classes results in a 10 point penalty. Missing
5 or 6 classes results in a 25 point penalty. Missing 7 or more classes
results in a 50 point penalty. Particularly good answers, comments, and
questions result in bonus points for participation.
Extra Credit:
I will occasionally give you quizzes to ensure that you're keeping up
with the reading. Correct answers on the quizzes will give you some
amount of extra credit.
Throughout the term, I may suggest other forms of extra credit.
Most frequently, that extra credit involves participating in an
extracurricular academic or artistic event on campus. I also
provide extra credit for those who attend concerts, performances,
and sporting events that involve other students in the class.
For the event-based extra credit, each event earns you 1/2 point
towards your final grade. I limit such extra credit to 3 points.
Minimum Grades:
My experience suggests that otherwise intelligent people sometimes
have great difficulty with the kind of thought necessary in CSC152.
It strikes me as unfair to penalize students because their brains don't
work right for CS. Hence, if you make a best faith
effort, I will
give you at least a C+. Such an effort includes attending at least 95%
of the classes (you can miss no more than two), doing the readings before
class, participating in class, attempting every homework assignment,
and spending eight hours on each take-home exam.
Rebelsky, Samuel (2005a). Espresso: A Concentrated Introduction to Java. Online resource available at http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/~rebelsky/Espresso/.
I am attempting to write a lab-based introduction to Java for this class. We'll
see how it goes.
Rebelsky, Samuel (2005b). The TAO of Java. Online resource available at http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/~rebelsky/TAO/.
I am also attempting to write a series of labs that cover the key elements of this course (types, algorithms, objects). We'll see how it goes.
Rebelsky, Samuel (2005c). The CSC152 2005F Web Site. Online resource available at http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/~rebelsky/Courses/CSC152/2005S/.
My online resources for the course.
;
Check with Bobby