Course Syllabus
Computer Science 5JA
Winter 2009

Introduction to Computer Programming

Course Description

CS 5JA introduces all of the standard issues and techniques normally covered by a first course in computer programming, including: algorithms, data and control structures, testing/debugging, program design, documentation, and structured programming. Some object-oriented programming topics are covered to properly introduce Java language features.

Pre-requisites

None. Not open for credit to students who have completed CS 5MA, CS 5NM, CS 10 or Engineering 3.

Course Goals

1. Students learn fundamental principles and concepts of computers and programming, including structured and object-oriented programming techniques.
2. Students learn to write Java applications and applets, and practice by implementing and testing simple programs.

Instructor

Dr. C. Michael Costanzo, mikec@cs.ucsb.edu
Office hours - by appointment only. Best times and place are Monday and Wednesday, 10:00-10:50, in or around HSSB 1203 (LSIT Computer lab).

Teaching Assistants

Ceren Budak, cbudak@cs.ucsb.edu; office hours - Wednesday, 2:00-4:00, in Phelps 1413

Esra Kucukoguz, esra@cs.ucsb.edu; office hours - Monday, 2:00-4:00, in Phelps 1413

Instruction Schedule

• Lectures - 3 per week - MWF 9-9:50, HSSB 1173
• Discussion - 1 per week - either F 1-1:50, Girvetz 1115 or F 2-2:50, Girvetz 1116

Grading Policy

• 30 percent - homework assignments (mostly programming projects)
• 40 percent - 2 midterm exams (20 percent each)
  1. Wednesday, January 28 (unless announced otherwise)
  2. Friday, February 20 (unless announced otherwise)
• 30 percent - final exam - Thursday, March 19, 9:00-10:30 am.
  Note the duration is 1.5 hours, contrary to the Schedule of Classes - exam begins at 9:00 and ends at 10:30.

Required Text

Course Outline - and required reading (mostly chapters from the textbook)

• Introduction to computers, programming, and Java - Chapters 1 and 2
• Data types, memory concepts, and operators - Chapter 3 and Appendices A-D
• Selection and iteration structures - Chapters 4 and 5, and Appendix I
• Graphical programming - Supplemental reading TBA
• Writing and using methods - Chapter 6 and Appendix G
• Arrays and other collections - Chapter 7, and supplemental reading TBA
• Designing classes and using objects - Chapter 8
• Special Java topics as time permits - TBA

Notes

• The course's web pages (http://www.cs.ucsb.edu/~mikec/cs5ja) are mandatory reading. Students are responsible for monitoring them throughout the quarter.
• Make-up exams can only be arranged at least 48 hours prior to the exam, and only in extraordinary circumstances (which do not include having other exams that day).
• Assignments must be completed, and correctly turned in on time for full credit - no exceptions, no extensions, no excuses.
• IMPORTANT: All of the work you turn in for CS 5JA must be your own, personal work. The university's honor code will be strictly enforced, and we may use an automated system to detect plagiarism and collusion.