Description
CS163: Java (CS1) No Prior Programming
Computer programming in Java for students without previous programming experience. Topics include variables, assignment, expressions, operators, booleans, conditionals, characters and strings, control loops, arrays, objects and classes, file input/output, interfaces, recursion, lists, and sorting.
CS164: Java (CS1) Prior ProgrammingComputer programming in Java for students with previous programming experience, not necessarily in Java. Topics include variables, assignment, expressions, operators, booleans, conditionals, characters and strings, control loops, arrays, objects and classes, file input/output, interfaces, recursion, lists, and sorting.
Personnel
|
Prerequisites
MATH 124 (Logarithmic and Exponential Functions) with a C or better
Textbooks and Materials
Java Programming (Required):
Introduction to Java Programming (Comprehensive Edition), Daniel Liang (10th or 11th edition)
The course textbook is available through the CSU Bookstore’s Inclusive Access Program in partnership with Unizin Engage. You have immediate access to the online e-text by clicking on the “Unizin Engage” link within the course menu in Canvas. Please note, there is a cost for the e-text. The bookstore will charge your student account for the cost of the e-text after the Add/Drop date. You must “opt-out” of the Unizin Engage e-text before the Add/Drop date to avoid bookstore charges. However, this text is required for the course and the cost savings of the e-text can be substantial. Please look for emails from the bookstore about ‘opting out’ as well as charges to your student account. Once you choose to “opt-out,” you will no longer be allowed to access the e-text in Canvas.
zyBooks (Required):
We are using zyBooks to supplement the Liang textbook. You will get zyBooks through Inclusive Access from the CSU bookstore. Then, proceed as follows:
IMPORTANT: As noted in the sign-up steps above, you must put your eName in the "Student ID" field. putting an incorrect eName or putting your CSUID instead will result in no credit for the assignment. TAs will check that this is done correctly in Lab 2, after which it is the student's responsibility to ensure that their eName is entered correctly.
CodingBat (Required):
We are using codingbat to write simple programs to understand concepts in programming and problem solving by getting more practice before trying the assignments. CodingBat does not cost anything to students or the department. Use the following steps to register:
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 on Canvas by classtime, August 20, 2018. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab. It is the student's responsibility to have a working iClicker, no answers / participation will be taken from anything but the iClicker system.
Piazza (Required for announcements, but optional for posting questions):
This term we will be using Piazza for class discussion. The system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, teaching assistants, and the instructor. Rather than emailing questions to the teaching staff, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers, email team@piazza.com. Piazza will be accessed via the Module tab on Canvas.
Piazza does not cost anything to students or the department. It allows students to post questions and get answers about the following topics:
Introduction to Java Programming (Comprehensive Edition), Daniel Liang (10th or 11th edition)
The course textbook is available through the CSU Bookstore’s Inclusive Access Program in partnership with Unizin Engage. You have immediate access to the online e-text by clicking on the “Unizin Engage” link within the course menu in Canvas. Please note, there is a cost for the e-text. The bookstore will charge your student account for the cost of the e-text after the Add/Drop date. You must “opt-out” of the Unizin Engage e-text before the Add/Drop date to avoid bookstore charges. However, this text is required for the course and the cost savings of the e-text can be substantial. Please look for emails from the bookstore about ‘opting out’ as well as charges to your student account. Once you choose to “opt-out,” you will no longer be allowed to access the e-text in Canvas.
zyBooks (Required):
We are using zyBooks to supplement the Liang textbook. You will get zyBooks through Inclusive Access from the CSU bookstore. Then, proceed as follows:
- Sign up at zyBooks.com
- Enter zyBook code: COLOSTATECS163BrownSummer2019
- Enter the code that the bookstore gave you.
- When it asks for your Student ID, use your eName (also called eid) not your CSUID (hint: if you are entering 9 numbers that is your CSUID. eName is what you use to log in to Canvas and RamWeb.)
- Click Subscribe
IMPORTANT: As noted in the sign-up steps above, you must put your eName in the "Student ID" field. putting an incorrect eName or putting your CSUID instead will result in no credit for the assignment. TAs will check that this is done correctly in Lab 2, after which it is the student's responsibility to ensure that their eName is entered correctly.
CodingBat (Required):
We are using codingbat to write simple programs to understand concepts in programming and problem solving by getting more practice before trying the assignments. CodingBat does not cost anything to students or the department. Use the following steps to register:
- Click on Create an Account on codingbat.com .
- Enter your email and create a password.
- Once you create an account, click on prefs, and enter the instructor's email address (kris.brown@colostate.edu) to share your reports with the instructor. Do not use any other email address for sharing.
- Also in prefs, set the memo field to your EID so your grades will transfer to Canvas.
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 on Canvas by classtime, August 20, 2018. See the instructions for registering your iClicker on the resources tab. It is the student's responsibility to have a working iClicker, no answers / participation will be taken from anything but the iClicker system.
Piazza (Required for announcements, but optional for posting questions):
This term we will be using Piazza for class discussion. The system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, teaching assistants, and the instructor. Rather than emailing questions to the teaching staff, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers, email team@piazza.com. Piazza will be accessed via the Module tab on Canvas.
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
- Please do not post any of your assignment code on Piazza.
- No profanity, sexism, racism, or anything in bad taste, of course!
CS163 Schedule
| What | Days | Time | Instructor | Helper | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Sect. 001) | MWTR | 12:00pm - 1:15pm | Kris Brown | CSB 130 | |
| Lab (L01) | MWTR | 1:30pm - 2:20pm | Ariana | Westin | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L02) | MWTR | 2:30pm - 3:20pm | Ariana | Westin | COMSC 215 |
| Lab (L03) | MWTR | 3:30pm - 4:20pm | Ariana | Westin | COMSC 215 |
Tutoring
Tutoring is available on Fridays from 8am to 9am in COMSC 130, offered by
Dorian Ferrer (subject to change). This session covers Java language concepts
and examples -- it is not intended for students to get help with recitations
or homework assignments.
Help Desk
The help desk is a breakout room on the north side of the COMSC 120 lab. 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.
Help Desk Hours TBD
| Days | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Mon. | 4:30p - 6:00p | COMSC 120 |
| Tue. | 4:30p - 6:00p | COMSC 120 |
| Wed. | not supported | COMSC 120 |
| Thu. | 4:30p - 6:00p | COMSC 120 |
| Fri. | 1:00p - 3:00p | COMSC 120 |
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 post to the grade complaints topic on Piazza. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on Canvas!
We will not assign lower grades than shown. However, your average score on exams must be ≥60% to receive a passing grade (C) in this course.
Early Performance Feedback
This course participates in Early Performance Feedback. This gives students an opportunity to identify if they might need to make changes in how they are approaching the course before the drop date. Students with a course average less than 70% after the first exam will receive information from the campus Collaborative for Student Achievement office about resources to help them get a passing grade in the course. The instructor and TAs are also available to talk with any student concerned if they will get a passing grade in the course. Just ask!
| Activity | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Assignments | 10% | Programming Assignments to be completed in zylabs |
| iClicker and zyBooks | 10% | zyBooks Assignments / IClicker |
| Labs | 10% | Participation in Recitation |
| Projects | 5% | 2 Programming Assignments |
| Quizzes | 5% | 4 Quizzes |
| Midterm 1 | 15% | First midterm |
| Midterm 2 | 15% | Second midterm |
| Midterm 3 | 15% | Third midterm |
| Final Exam | 15% | 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 post to the grade complaints topic on Piazza. Grade complaints will be considered only for two weeks immediately following when the assignment grade appears on Canvas!
- Assignments will be done individually. As required by the department, we will check for collaboration using a software tool, so do your own work!
-
iClickers will be used in class in various ways. You may be asked questions (1) to gauge your knowledge of assigned reading, (2) see how well you are understanding the lecture in progress, and (3) even to motivate a new topic. These sessions are held during lectures and can occur at anytime during a lecture. The sessions can be held as part of peer instruction or individual instruction. Be sure to have your iClicker with you.
There will not be any paper quizzes during lectures. - CodingBat and zyBooks let you work out small program fragments once you have read about a concept and some examples. These tasks are completed online via their respective websites by specified deadlines.
- 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.
- Liang is the online textbook to help you get hands-on practice for the Java Programming topics being discussed in class and Lab.
| Letter Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | ≥90% |
| B | ≥80% |
| C | ≥70% |
| D | ≥60% |
| F | <60% |
We will not assign lower grades than shown. However, your average score on exams must be ≥60% to receive a passing grade (C) in this course.
Early Performance Feedback
This course participates in Early Performance Feedback. This gives students an opportunity to identify if they might need to make changes in how they are approaching the course before the drop date. Students with a course average less than 70% after the first exam will receive information from the campus Collaborative for Student Achievement office about resources to help them get a passing grade in the course. The instructor and TAs are also available to talk with any student concerned if they will get a passing grade in the course. Just ask!
Important Dates
| Date | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First day of Labs | June 17 | CSB 225 |
| First day of lecture | Jun 17 | Normal Classroom |
| Deadline to add without override | Jun 24 | N/A |
| Last day to drop | Jun 24 | N/A |
| First midterm | Jul 3 | In Your Recitation |
| Second midterm | Jul 18 | In Your Recitation |
| Last day to withdraw | Jul 15 | N/A |
| Third midterm | Aug 1 | In Your Recitation |
| Final | Aug 8 | In Your Recitation |
Midterms will be held in your Recitation. Timeslot (50 minute) sign up will be done through Canvas.
Information on how to sign up for a time will be made available in class closer to exam time.
There will be no lecture on the exam days.
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.
