MC140.01
Spring 2001
Staff:
| phone | hours | location | ||
| Professor: | ||||
| Elizabeth Sklar | ||||
| TA's: | ||||
| John Weicher | ||||
| Steven Yee |
Information:
The class home page (http://www.cs.bc.edu/~sklar/mc140/default.html) and
associated links are the primary source of information for the class, outside
of lectures.
Refer to the on-line syllabus which will be continuously updated concerning assignment due dates, exams, lecture topics and reading materials.
Refer to the class FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions concerning anything from assignments to general administrative issues.
Lectures:
M,W,F 2pm-2.50pm, Fulton 250
Description:
This course is an introduction to programming in C.
At a minimum, you will learn the mechanics of how to write
simple C programs and how to compile, debug and run your
programs.
Beyond this, you will be exposed to some other (hopefully)
interesting things: the basics of computer hardware,
the history of computing and current research topics in
computer science.
If you know you want a career in computer science, this
course will give you a strong start at developing good
programming habits.
If you are focusing on another field, this course will teach
you approaches to problem solving that can be applied in
many other areas.
If you aren't sure where you are headed, this course will
give you a broad introduction to the field of computer
science.
But no matter where you are going to be next semester,
sit back and enjoy yourself here.
Programming really can be a lot of fun!
Prerequisites:
You do not need to have any prior programming experience in
order to take this class.
However, you should have some computer experience, like
knowing how to turn on the machine and how to use a word
processor.
You will not need to know any advanced mathematics, but it
will be helpful if you remember something of your
high-school algebra classes.
Textbook:
Deitel, H.M. and Deitel, P.J. (1994) C: How to Program,
2nd edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Software:
You will need a C compiler for this class.
There are several options. The cheapest is to use the Borland C/C++
compiler that comes packaged with the Deitel and Deitel texbook, however
there is no programming environment provided.
The second option is to use MetroWerks CodeWarrior, which is available
at the Computer Store at some cost. It includes Java and C++ (though we'll
only use C), and it works on PC's and Macs.
If you don't purchase it, you can use it at O'Neill.
A third option, which is free, is called LCC. This can be downloaded from
the web and instructions will shortly be available on the web page.
Assessment:
Your course grade will be made up of the following
components:
Assignments:
The assignments must be done alone.
Late homeworks will not be accepted unless you have a
documented emergency or illness.
If you anticipate such an event, please send me email.
Excuses like "my computer ate my homework" are not
acceptable.
You may as well learn from the start to "save early and save
often."
We have all lost work due to disk failure, etc.
Expect the worst, and generally you will be pleasantly
surprised.
Academic integrity:
The work you hand in must be strictly your own.
These days, there are many programs available not only from
your classmates and friendly upperclassmen, but also on the
web.
Of course, I am as aware of these things as you are -- maybe
even more than you are.
It is only fair for you to know that I have a pocket full of
tools that will help me detect whether you are doing your
own work or not.
If I suspect that you are not doing your own work, I will
ask you to come see me so that we can discuss the matter.
If you cannot convince me that my suspicions are
unwarranted, then I may have to send your case to a
disciplinary committee that has the right to expel you
from Boston College.
Please, let's not go there.