Spring 1998

R e v i s e d (16Apr98)

SYLLABUS


University of Nevada, Reno
CSci 201 Introduction to Computer Science


Description

This course provides an introduction to the major topics of Computer Science: computing machinery, data representations and data structures, processing algorithms, and software engineering. Concurrently, and centrally, the fundamentals of computer programming are taught through a series of laboratory exercises, primarily in the C language with some C++ extensions. At the end of the course, the evolution of C/C++ into the JAVA language, widely used in Web browsers, is discussed.


Instructor

Jordan Towner Hastings
EMail: jordan@cs.unr.edu
Office: LME 304
Phone: 784-4613
Student Meeting Hours: Tue/Thu 3:00 - 4:00p, and by appointment
Class Website: http://www.cs.unr.edu/~jordan


Required Texts (in ASUN Bookstore)

  1. Etter, D. (1997)
    Introduction to C++ for Engineers and Scientists
    Prentice Hall
  2. Roberge, J. and Smith, G. (1997)
    Introduction to Programming in C++
    Jones & Bartlett

Additional Text (on Reserve in deLaMare Library)


Prerequisites


Course Mechanics

Students are expected to read and complete ALL "Pre-lab" and "Bridge" exercises before coming to your assigned laboratory session each week. Specific "In-Lab" exercises will be announced in laboratory. The completed exercise packet, with "Post-Lab" MUST be turned in by COB each Friday afternoon; it will be returned and discussed at the Thursday recitation the week following. The exercise for the prior week (only) will be accepted on Monday for half-credit.
NO OTHER LATE EXERCISES WILL BE ACCEPTED.


Grading Policies

Only whole-letter grades will be assigned, according to the following standard: A: 90+ points; B: 80+ points; C: 65+ points; D: 55+ points; F otherwise

It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements in advance for any absence, since a Laboratory Exercise OR an Hourly Test is due each week.

Copying/cheating on Laboratory Exercises, Tests and/or Quizzes will result in an automatic F for the class, regardless of performance otherwise.


Perspective

This is a "hands on" course utilizing DOS/Windows PCs. It deals with the practical use of computers in solving real-world problems. Substantial emphasis is placed on developing a consistent, structured approach to problem-solving: analyzing requirements, conceiving solution(s), designing and writing software to implement those solutions, testing the results, and finally, documenting and evaluating the process overall.








SCHEDULE 

(Subject to Alteration) 



Functions II
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WK

Begins

Lecture/Laboratory Topics

Assignments





0 

19 Jan

Administration and Introduction;

Compilers, Editors, and Web Browsers		







1 

26 Jan

Getting Your Feet Wet

Labwork: R&S pp. 5, 9-12, and 14-18

Reading: Etter pp. 21-26 		





2 

02 Feb

C++ Program Elements

Labwork: R&S pp. 21-29 & 33 (before), 34+35 or 36 (in-lab), and 37 (after)

Reading: Etter pp. 26-30		





3 

09 Feb

Data Types and Expressions

Labwork: R&S pp. 41-52 (before), 53 or 54 (in-lab), and 37 (after)

Reading: Etter pp. 30-40 		






4 

16 Feb

Selection; Conditionals

Labwork: R&S pp. 59-73 (before), 74-76 (in-lab), NOTHING (after)

Additional Assignment for Honors (only)  

Reading: Etter pp. 64(bottom) - 72(top)		





5 

23 Feb

Iteration; Loops

Labwork: R&S pp. 81-91 and 95 (first 2 parts)(before), 97-98 (in-lab), 
99

(after)


Reading: Etter pp. 72(bottom) - 79(top)		





6 

02 Mar

Functions I

Labwork: R&S pp. 103-117 (before and/or in-lab), NOTHING (after)


Reading: Etter pp. 100-117 (Chapter 4)		





7 

09 Mar

TEST WEEK - No Instruction

First Hourly Test: Tue 10th





8 

16 Mar

NO CLASSES - Spring Break!







9 

23 Mar

Arrays

Labwork: R&S pp. 127-134 & 138-145 (before lab); pp. 148-149 (in-lab); 
NOTHING (after)


Reading: Etter pp. 119-133 (Chapter 5)		





10 

30 Mar




11 

06 Apr

Structures and Searching

Labwork: R&S pp. 154-166 (before lab); pp. 167-168 AS MODIFIED 
ON HANDOUT (in-lab); NOTHING (after)

PLUS pp. 172-175 for Honors (only)

Reading: Swan 8pp. HANDOUT		







12 

13 Apr

C++ Files and Streams

Labwork: R&S pp. 207-223 (before and/or during lab); NOTHING (after)

PLUS pp. 226-227 for Honors (only)

Reading: Etter pp. 84-94 (Chapter 3 end)		






13 

20 Apr

C++ Classes
Labwork: R&S pp. 179-193 (before and/or during lab); NOTHING (after)

PLUS pp 194-197 for Honors (only)

Reading: Handout		






14 


27 Apr

TEST WEEK - No Instruction

Second Hourly Test: Tue 28th





15 

04 May

Wrap-up and Industry Perspectives

Final Projects DUE: Fri 08th





16 

11 May

FINALS WEEK - No Instruction

Grades Posted: Fri 15th














Suggested Project Topics

 



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