Description
The purpose of the CS160 course is to introduce students to fundamental concepts in computer science. Concepts from theory, programming and architecture will be interleaved to show how software and hardware complement each other. Theory will provide the basis for understanding the software and hardware design. The course will adopt a problem solving focus with an integrated view of the computer. For programming, the course covers the basic Java syntax and language features, compilation, interpretation, execution, primitive data types, class and object usage, parameter passing, flow of control constructs and arrays. For theory, the course will cover sets, functions, logic, simple proof and invariants. Architecture concepts will include simple computer models, data representations and memory models.
Personnel
Section 002 |
Prerequisites
MATH 118 (College Algebra in Context II) with a C or better
Textbook
Java Programming (Required):
Java: An Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming
Savitch (7th edition)
Discrete Math (Required):
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications (7th Edition)
The Rosen text will be used in CS161 and CS200 as well.
iClickers (Required):
You are required to purchase an iClicker remote for in-class participation. iClicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your iClicker remote online by noon, January 28, 2015. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab.
Zyante (Required):
We are using an online tutorial from Zyante to supplement the Savitch textbook. You must purchase the tutorial directly from Zyante (not the bookstore), and the cost is $35. Instructions for registering with Zyante are here. Once you have registered you can sign in to the book by browsing to www.zybooks.com. Please register in time to complete the first assignment, which is due January 30, 2015.
Piazza (Optional):
We are experimenting this semester with the use of online bulletin board software called Piazza. We will invite you via email, and Piazza will send you a link to the page for our course. You can also use the following link. Piazza does not cost anything to students or the department. It allows students to post questions and get answers about the following topics:
Java: An Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming
Savitch (7th edition)
Discrete Math (Required):
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications (7th Edition)
The Rosen text will be used in CS161 and CS200 as well.
iClickers (Required):
You are required to purchase an iClicker remote for in-class participation. iClicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your iClicker remote online by noon, January 28, 2015. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab.
Zyante (Required):
We are using an online tutorial from Zyante to supplement the Savitch textbook. You must purchase the tutorial directly from Zyante (not the bookstore), and the cost is $35. Instructions for registering with Zyante are here. Once you have registered you can sign in to the book by browsing to www.zybooks.com. Please register in time to complete the first assignment, which is due January 30, 2015.
Piazza (Optional):
We are experimenting this semester with the use of online bulletin board software called Piazza. We will invite you via email, and Piazza will send you a link to the page for our course. You can also use the following link. Piazza does not cost anything to students or the department. It allows students to post questions and get answers about the following topics:
- Java Programming
- Linux Operating System
- Eclipse Development Tools
- Programming Assignments
- Zyante Chapters
- Please do not post any of your assignment code on Piazza.
- No profanity, sexism, racism, or anything in bad taste, of course!
- Please no grade inquiries, use the help desk or cs160 email alias instead.
Lectures and Labs
| What | Days | Time | Instructor | Helper | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Section 1) | MWF | 9:00pm - 9:50am | Sudipto Ghosh | CLARK A203 | |
| Lecture (Section 2) | MWF | 12:00pm -12:50pm | Chris Wilcox | CLARK A201 | |
| Lecture (Section 301) | MWF | 9:00pm - 9:50am | Sudipto Ghosh | CLARK A203 | |
| Lab (L01) | MW | 1:00pm - 1:50pm | Chris Wilcox | Darshan Washimkar | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L02) | MW | 3:00pm - 3:50pm | Gabriella Fontani | Laura Adams | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L03) | TR | 9:00am - 9:50am | Derek Isabelle | Andrew Cook | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L04) | TR | 11:00am -11:50am | Laura Adams | Miles Blaisus | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L05) | TR | 1:00pm - 1:50pm | Darshan Washimkar | Tanner Evans | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L06) | TR | 4:00pm - 4:50pm | David Thorpe | Conrad Christensen | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L07) | MW | 2:00pm - 2:50pm | David Thorpe | Gabriella Fontani | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L08) | TR | 10:00am -10:50am | Laura Adams | Nick Hain | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L09) | TR | 12:00pm -12:50pm | David Thorpe | Miles Blaisus | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L10) | TR | 8:00am - 8:50am | Laura Adams | Derek Isabelle | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L11) | WF | 8:00am - 8:50am | Gabriella Fontani | Justin Glover | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (LN1) | TR | 9:00am - 9:50am | Derek Isabelle | Andrew Cook | COMSC 215 |
Help Desk
The help desk is held in the COMSC 120 lab. This is where students can go to get help with assignments and resolve grading issues.| Days | Time | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon. | 10:00am-noon | Ghazal Fahimi | COMSC 120 |
| Mon. | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Laura Adams | COMSC 120 |
| Tue. | 1:00pm-3:00pm | Ghazal Fahimi | COMSC 120 |
| Wed. | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Laura Adams | COMSC 120 |
| Thu. | noon-2:00pm | Ghazal Fahimi | COMSC 120 |
| Fri. | 11:00am-1:00pm | Ghazal Fahimi | COMSC 120 |
Lab Hours
The lab hours shown below are held in either the COMSC 120 or COMSC 215 labs, please check the location carefully. Throughout the day there are lab operators in COMSC 120 that can provide limited help, but during the hours posted below a teaching assistant from this class is available to help students. The COMSC 120 lab is open 24/7.| Days | Time | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon. | 5:00PM-7:00pm | Darshan Washimkar | COMSC 120 |
| Sun. | 5:00PM-7:00pm | Conrad Christensen | COMSC 215 |
Complete Schedule
Some students have requested our schedule for the entire semester. An overview of the
semester is provided here, however, we reserve
the right to make changes at anytime!
Grading
The course requires demonstration of a student’s grasp of the concepts on evaluations.
Here is the grading scheme:
Teaching assistants grade assignments, labs, and quizzes. If you believe you have been graded unfairly, talk with the help desk (assignments) or your teaching assistant (labs) first. If you cannot visit help desk, please send email to cs160@cs.colostate.edu instead of directly to the instructors. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on RamCT!
We will not assign lower grades than shown.
| Activity | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 15% | Java Assignments, Math Homeworks |
| Reading Quizzes | 10% | RamCT (Math), Zyante (Java) |
| Labs | 10% | Lab Attendance and Completion |
| Peer Instruction | 5% | In-Class iClicker |
| Programming Quizzes | 10% | In-Lab Programming |
| Midterm 1 | 15% | First Midterm |
| Midterm 2 | 15% | Second Midterm |
| Final Exam | 20% | Comprehensive Exam |
Teaching assistants grade assignments, labs, and quizzes. If you believe you have been graded unfairly, talk with the help desk (assignments) or your teaching assistant (labs) first. If you cannot visit help desk, please send email to cs160@cs.colostate.edu instead of directly to the instructors. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on RamCT!
- Assignments will be done individually. As required by the department, we will check for collaboration using a software tool, so do your own work!
- Lab participation is strongly encouraged. A portion of the class grade comes from successfully finishing the assigned lab work, and our previous students have indicated that labs are the best part of this class.
- Programming Quizzes will be taken during lab hours with no additional aids. They are used to test your understanding of Java topics.
- Zyante is an online tool to help you get hands-on practice for the Java Programming topics being discussed in class and Lab.
- RamCT has online discrete math reading quizzes. In addition there will be two math homeworks on paper that will be graded during your lab.
- Peer Instruction sessions are held during lectures and require you to bring an iClicker. These are usually but not always held on Fridays, and we will announce in class and online whenever iClickers are needed Monday or Wednesday. Scores are weighted (approximately) as follows: 70% for participation, 30% for correctness. There will not be any paper quizzes during lectures.
| Letter Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | ≥90% |
| B | ≥80% |
| C | ≥70% |
| D | ≥60% |
| F | <60% |
We will not assign lower grades than shown.
Important Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| First day of classes | Tue., Jan. 20 |
| Last day of classes | Fri., May. 8 |
| Last day for restricted drop | Fri., Jan. 23 |
| Deadline to add without override | Sun., Jan. 25 |
| Last day to withdraw | Mon., Mar. 23 |
| First in class midterm | Fri., Feb. 20, during class |
| Second in class midterm | Fri., Apr. 3, during class |
| Final Exam (Section 001) | Thu., May. 14, 11:50am to 1:50pm |
| Final Exam (Section 002) | Wed., May. 13, 7:30am to 9:30am |
Midterms and the final exam will be held in the same classroom as regular lectures. The final exam is comprehensive.
In-Class Participation
All students taking this course are expected to participate actively. This includes asking and responding to questions. Students are also expected to scan the announcements on the home page and the progress page every day for updates. If an assignment changes significantly, we are responsible for sending out an email.
