CS 150: Course Syllabus

CS Department, Colorado State University

CS 150: Syllabus

Interactive Programming with Java

Fall 2008

Description

The purpose of the CS150 course is to familiarize students not intending to become computer scientists (majors or minors) with the fundamentals of Java programming, program design and problem-solving. The course is oriented towards practical skills including current Java programming technologies for Java applets, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and Web pages.

The course covers the basic Java syntax and language features, compilation, interpretation, execution, class and object usage, graphical interfaces, program-user interaction, and the Java API. Problem-solving techniques and object-oriented programming are also covered.

Where & When

Time:	11:00-12:15pm TR + Recitation
Place:	Educ 7

Lab/Recitations

Each student must attend a one-hour lab/recitation each week

Place: HP Lab - 310A UNVSC Building

Recitation Schedule: visit RamWeb "University Class Schedule" http://ramweb.colostate.edu
M 03:00 pm-03:50 pm
T 01:00 pm-01:50 pm

Instructor: Elizabeth S. Boese

Teaching Assistant: Geoffrey Sewell

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

comprehend the art of programming and, in particular, the structure and meaning of basic Java programs,
design and build programs using problem-solving techniques such as top-down design,
modify, compile, debug, and execute Java programs,
understand how to create graphical interfaces and Java applets for a Web page.

Audience

This course is geared toward CS non-majors who wish to gain some programming experience. The course would be ideal for students who have some familiarity with personal computers and are interested in:

programming without becoming computer scientists,
exploring computer science as a possible major or minor,
creating small, useful Web or personal Java applications.

Credit Hours

4.0 (3 Lecture Hours, 1 Recitation Hour)

Prerequisites

Some familiarity with personal computers.
(Consult the instructor if you are unsure of your background.)

Course Outline

General Topics
1. What is programming? What is Java?
2. The process of compilation and interpretation
3. An introduction to Java applets and graphical programming
4. Graphical User Interfaces; Drawing; Components
5. Image processing
6. Visual design and layout
7. Designing classes and methods
8. Problem solving; simple algorithms
9. Java basics: types, variables, statements, syntax
10. Handling mouse events and actions; control flow
11. Testing and debugging programs
12. Arrays and loops
13. Sound; Animation; Games; Tricks
14. Setting up applets on the Internet

Learning Resources/Textbooks

Textbook is REQUIRED.

Elizabeth Boese, Java Applets: Interactive Programming (3rd edition),
Lulu Publishing, (c) 2008
You can buy the black and white version of the book at the bookstore or you may buy direct from the publisher:
You have the option to buy either a color version or a cheaper black-and-white edition

Java Applets: Interactive Programming (COLOR) 3rd edition ($63.96 + shipping)

Java Applets: Interactive Programming (BLACK & WHITE) 3rd edition ($39.95 + shipping)

Recitation

All students are required to attend one Recitation every week.
There are lab exercises that are required to complete, and attendance is taken.

RamCT

All materials for this course is available via RamCT.
You must use your eName to access RamCT.
IF RamCT becomes unavailable for a period of time, announcements concerning the class will be posted to http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~cs150 .

Grading & Evaluation

Traditional Grading Only (A, B, C, D, F).
No Pass/Fail Grading.

Students are evaluated on the basis of assignments, programming projects,
proctored exams, online quizzes, and class attendance/participation.

A student's grade is based on

6-8 programming/homework assignments (25% of Final Grade)
lab assignments (80%) and participation(20%) (15% of Final Grade)
12 weekly online quizzes (open-note, open-Google, unlimited attempts) (6% of Final Grade)
participation (lectures, discussion board, tutor/GTA/instructor help) (1% of Final Grade)
one midterm exam in class (10% of Final Grade)
project (3 phases, worth 10% 25% and 65%) (30% of Final Grade)
one take-home final exam (13% of Final Grade)

Final Grade: Based on the final weighted percentage computed from the above.
The instructor reserves the right to affect a student's grade by up to 1 or 2% in either direction.

Other Policies

Policies on cheating, plagiarism, incomplete grades, attendance, discrimination, sexual harassment, and student grievances are described in the Student Information Guide. All other matters follow the policies set in the current Colorado State University General Catalog. Students are responsible for all the information in these documents.

You are to show respect to the instructor, teaching assistants, CS department and fellow students.

Important Dates

Monday	August 25	First Day of Classes
Monday	Oct 20	Last Day for Drop with "W"
Tuesday	Nov 4	Midterm (in class)
Saturday	Nov 22	Turkey Break Begins
Sunday	Nov 30	Turkey Break Ends
Monday	Dec 8	hand out take-home final exam
Friday	Dec 12	Classes End
Monday	Dec 15	take-home final exam due NOON

CHANGES TO BE ANNOUNCED ON RAMCT - It is your responsibility to check