CISC 1115    Introduction to Programming Using JAVA          Spring 2021

 

Prof. Eva Cogan  email: cogan_at_sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu   

Webpage: http://www.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~cogan/

My office:  2112N (718)951-5000   X2046     CIS office: 2109N (718)951-5657 

 

Course Workload

There is a tremendous amount of work involved in learning how to program. Depending on your ability and experience, you may need up to 20 hours per week for the programs, reading, exercises, and studying. Don’t take this course now if you don’t have the time due to work, other classes, family or other obligations. If you don't have the time, don't kid yourself; drop the course.

 

Required Textbooks:

This is our main text for learning Java. You may download it free or you may buy a hard copy.

 

    A copy should be purchased at Far Better Printing, 43 Hillel Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11210 b/t Campus Rd & Kenilworth Pl. Make sure you get the latest version as earlier editions had many errors. Far Better Printing is now open from 10AM to 5PM. You may also order by email: sales@farbetterprinting.com Cost would be about $35 plus $15 shipping and you can email your request with your contact phone number, name and ship to address.          

Recommended Text: Introduction to Java Programming, Brief Edition, Y. Daniel Lang, 11th edition, Pearson.  For your own reference if you need it.

 

Attendance

Although attendance is not mandatory, it is expected. Labs will be graded during class! You are responsible for whatever is done in class, whether or not you are there. In particular, you are responsible for all homework assigned in class. Make sure you get the notes, labs and assignments from someone if you miss a class. Exchange email addresses and/or phone numbers with your classmates.

 

Objectives of Course:

1. Understand the concept of a program (i.e., a computer following a series of instructions)

2. Declare a variable with an appropriate data type (either character, numeric or Boolean), initialize the variable's value, and change the value when appropriate

3. Use control structures, including a loop to repeat the execution of a series of statements and a conditional statement to select one from a series of alternatives

4. Write a method to perform a subtask and use the method as part of a larger program

5. Use arrays to store multiple pieces of homogeneous data

6. Trace the execution of a program and predict the results of the execution

7. Write an algorithm and program to perform a task.

 

Outcomes Anticipated for Course: At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Write, test and debug simple programs that use the imperative and procedural paradigms to solve data processing problems.

2. Use iteration to process data stored in a collection and variable quantities of input data.

3. Apply common iterative algorithms such as sorting, searching, and simple mathematical calculations. 

 

Course Outline (not necessarily in order covered)

1. Basic concepts and history of computing; Basic program structure.

2. Primitive data types; expressions and assignment; basic input/output.

3. Control structures: loops and branches.

4. Reference types, Strings and string processing.

5. Calling and defining methods.

6. Arrays.

7. Sorting, searching, and other algorithms. 

8. Advanced input/output.

 

Grades:

·        We may use proctoring software

·        50% 2 Exams  (There may be quizzes, but I doubt it.)

No makeup exams. Let me know today if there are any dates on which you can't take exams. The state law regarding non-attendance because of religious beliefs is on p. 66 in the Bulletin:

http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/off_registrar/2018-2019_Undergraduate_Bulletin.pdf

Exam questions may be similar to the assignments, labs or workbook exercises.

Please get used to the format of the sample exam under the assignments tab on the webpage.

 

·        35% final   Departmental and Cumulative . Check schedule of classes. Make sure you have no conflicts. It may not be the same time or on the same day of the week as your class. Look for CISC 1115, not your section code.

 

·        15% assignments and labs

Up to 10 (possibly long) programs. At least 8 may be required in order to get a C or above.

Never submit code written by anybody else.

Assignments must be submitted before the beginning of class. 0.5 pt per class penalty for late submissions. 

See Programming Assignments instructions on the website.

Many classes will include a lab exercise that must be completed and submitted during class.

 

·        Class participation may affect your grade.

 

·        No individual extra credit assignments will be given to improve your grade.

 

Distance Learning

Our classes will meet Tues and Thurs using Blackboard.

 

Blackboard instructions for students are at:

https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/Blackboard_for_Students

https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant

Your exams will probably be on Blackboard. We may use proctoring software.

 

There is a requirement for students to demonstrate participation early in the course. I may just take attendance during our Blackboard session or you may have to submit a lab or post to a discussion board.

 

Tutoring

There may be tutors available in the Learning Center (718-951-5821). Tutors may teach you sections of the textbook. They may help you figure out what is wrong with your program or workbook exercises. They may help you with the IDE in the beginning (without touching your machine). They may help you with the style of your program. They may NOT design your program, figure out the logic, or suggest any code for your program. That is no help to you. It is only a prescription for failure. Do not submit code that anybody else wrote. Let the tutors work on similar programs on the topic with you. Once you understand, you do the assignments that you hand in. That’s the last step after you’ve mastered the material. You shouldn’t even show tutors your assignment. You may ask them questions about your program (what? why?). Generally, you shouldn’t ask “how?”.  It’s not easy to help someone without telling them how, but I repeat: That is not help!

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/  

There is a lot available online. Please email the class list when you find something helpful.

 

Initial Homework

·        Join the class email list. Homework and lab assignments may be emailed.

·        Read the Prefix, Chapter 1 and Sections A.1 and A.2 of the text.

·        Become familiar with our IDE, DrJava.  I hope it is available in the WEB building and other labs on campus. This may feel difficult for one week. It’s no problem once you get used to it.

http://www.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~goetz/java/ for free download and instructions.

 

·        Assignment 0: Exercise 1.2. Submit a  listing and output of the hello world program modified to print your name as the second statement.  You must submit this, but it will not count toward your average. This is due before the 3rd class, but it is better for you if it is done by the 2nd class. 

 

·        Do exercise 1.3 in the text but don’t submit it.

 

You can find many of our examples on Prof. Langsam’s website.

http://eilat.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/cisc1115/CISClassPage.htm

(You must remove or comment out his package statement for or IDE.)

 

Academic Integrity

The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies . If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation. Students should be aware that faculty may use plagiarism detection software.

  

Center for Student Disability Services

In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services, please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.

 

Student Bereavement Policy   http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/initiatives/policies/bereavement.php

 

Important Dates

Friday, January 29 First day of Spring 2021 classes

Thursday, February 4 Last day to add a course

Monday, May 17 Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” grade

Tuesday, May 18 Reading Day

Wednesday, May 19 Final Examinations Begin

Tuesday, May 25 Final Examinations End / End of Spring Semester