Course Overview
CS 111A - Introduction to Programming: Java

Instructor: Constance Conner
Phone: 415-239-3963
Office: Batmale Hall 424
Hours: To Be Announced
Email: cconner@ccsf.edu
Web Page: http://insight.ccsf.edu

Required Text
Starting Out With Java, First Custom Edition for City College of San Francisco, Author: Gaddis; Publisher: Pearson (ISBN 9781256028628).
You may buy the book at the CCSF Bookstore. This is the version I will be using.

You may use Starting Out with Java: From Control Structures Through Objects, 4th ed, by Gaddis (ISBN 0136080200), but I will be using the CCSF custom edition. Note: page and chapter numbers may differ.
In addition there are additional readings for this course available online under our Home Page. You may find it easier to print out the online material and read offline.

Prerequisites: None Advisories: Math 840

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Methodology
Most of your time will be spent reading and practicing Java through exercises, and writing Java programs to solve problems as part of assignments. The online readings are meant to be supplements to the face-to-face lectures. By the end of the class, I expect that you will be able to solve common data processing problems using Java with more confidence.

Weekly Effort
My assumption is that everyone who is motivated and adequately prepared can succeed in this class. We will be meeting face-to-face twice each week, but it does take additional time to do the readings, exercises, tests and complete the homework assignments. The amount of time needed varies widely between students and topics. How much is this? One guideline is 3 - 4 hours/week outside of class for every hour in class. CS111A is a 4 unit semester long class that meets 4 hours per week so, in order to have a good chance for success, I suggest you plan for spending 12 to 16 hours per week for this class.


Accounts
Each student in the class will get two computer accounts. One will be on a web server running Canvas (this is where you are now). Canvas is special online course management software. It is where you will find supplementary course content, homework assignments, and grades. The other account will be a Unix account on the CCSF student server (hills.ccsf.edu). This is where you will be able to practice Java. You may load Java your own machine but this is not necessary. All of the assignments may be run on the hills Unix server. I assume you are using hills for your work. Assignments will be submitted directly to the class website using the Canvas Assignment Tool. If you just added the class, you should have access to your hills account within 2-3 days after you added the class.

Grading
This is a skill-building class, so your grade will be based on your completed homework assignments and your test results. There will be regularly scheduled for-credit assignments. These are posted on the class page, and you turn them in by uploading using the Canvas Assignment Tool. Additional in-class exercises will be required. Some extra credit work will be provided. In addition there will be several in-class tests and a comprehensive final.

Course work will be weighted to determine your final course grade as follows. Details wll be provided on official Syllabus (available first day of class)

Final Grade
A: 100-90% B: 89-80% C:79-70% D: 69-60% F:Below 60%
Note: Extra credit is added to total but max score for course is 100% (max grade is A as there is no A+ at CCSF).

Test/Quiz and Homework Assignment Deadlines
The lowest of the first 3/4 test/quiz scores will be dropped (this does NOT include final test/quiz). This means there are NO MAKE-UP Tests/Quizzes.

There will be also be for-credit homework assignments that include a variety of hands-on activities. All assignments are due no later than beginning of class.

Late Homework Assignments & Tests/Quizzes
All homework assignments are due no later than 5pm on due date. If you cannot finish a homework assignment on time you can turn it in up to (but no later than) one class period late at 9am, but it will be penalized 10%.

Tests/Quizzes cannot be made up, instead I drop the lowest of your first 3/4 test/quiz scores. This way if you miss one of the first tests/quizzes you will not be penalized. The final test/quiz is NOT dropped.

Deadlines will be extended if we have a problem on the CCSF network that prevents you from doing the work. This does not include problems with your home computers.

Attendance
If you do not attend class during the first week or for any two weeks in a row after that, I may drop you from the class. If you miss either of the first 2 tests, I may drop you. If you need to miss several weeks in a row, or a test, due to an emergency, please email me so that I can try to help you with your class work. If you decide to drop the course, it is your responsibility to do so by the deadlines. Please do not depend on me to drop you.

Communication
As this is a face-to-face class section, you should ask Java related questions in class. If you have personal questions, please come to my office hours.

Plagiarism
It is difficult to determine who has really done an assignment or taken an exam. Mostly I rely on your honesty and integrity, and that you are taking this class in order to improve your own skills. However, if you are tempted to copy someone else’s work, remember that when you copy someone’s assignment you also usually copy their mistakes. If I find plagiarism, then everyone with the same submission will receive no credit for that assignment. If you really want to help a friend with an assignment, then help them learn how to figure it out, instead of giving them the answers or letting them copy your work.

Student conduct must conform to College rules and regulations as outlined in CCSF Catalog. For more information:
http://www.ccsf.edu/Offices/Student_Advocacy_Rights_and_Responsiblities/rules.htm