1

COMS 261Computer Science I

Title: Course IntroductionDate: August 25, 2004Lecture Number: 01

2

Announcements

• Have a nice day

• I try to make class announcements at this time– Like assignments, program due dates, etc…

3

Review

• I had a nice day.

• I try to give a brief review of what we covered in the last class to motivate you for this class.

4

Outline

• It is a nice day.

• I try to give an outline of the topics we will cover in this class– If all goes well, the outline for this class

becomes the review for the next class

• Course Introduction– Go through the syllabus and calendar

5

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Professor Paul F. Hemler– New at the HSC this year

– Office: Bagby 110

– Office Hours:• MWF: 3:00pm - 4:00pm• TR: 2:00pm - 3:00pm

– Semester Schedule

6

COMS 261 Syllabus

– Class Times:• MWF: 11:30am - 12:20pm• R 1:30pm - 2:20pm

– My email address: phemler@hsc.edu

– My phone number: 223 – 6202

– My home page

– Course home page

– Department home page

7

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Course Goals– To provide fundamental skills of

programming and software development using the C++ language.

– To introduce the terminology and concepts of the object-oriented design paradigm.

– To start to think "abstractly" when solving problems.

8

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Course Goals (Cont.)– To make students aware of the skills

needed to support • The engineering and comprehension of

software systems• Reengineering of existing systems• Application of innovative techniques.

9

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Textbook:– C++ Program Design  An Introduction to

programming and Object-Oriented Design, Third Edition, by James P. Cohoon and Jack W. Davidson

10

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Grading Policy:– Straight up, no curves, tricks, or illusions

Letter Points

A 95 - 100

A- 90 - 94

B+ 87 - 89

B 83 - 86

B- 80 - 82

Letter Points

C+ 77 - 79

C 73 - 76

C- 70 - 72

D+ 65 - 69

D 60 - 64

F 0 - 59

11

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Point Distribution:

– 20% Homework• No late homework will be accepted• You will receive 60 points for any homework you make

a serious effort at solving all the problems.  The remaining 40 points will be given for your work in determining the correct answers.

• Write your solutions clearly and concisely on the paper you hand in.

• Follow standard coding practices shown in class

12

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Point Distribution: (Cont.)– 40% Exams

• Three in-class exams spread out over the course of the semester.

• Exam weights are 10%, 15%, 15% for exam 1, 2, and 3 respectively

– 20% Labs• Thursday classes will be dedicated to a laboratory,

where you should work with and experience concepts presented in class.

13

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Point Distribution: (Cont.)

– 20% Final Exam• Cumulative

14

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Commitment:– You should expect to spend 9 hours a week

on this class.

– Approximately• 4 hours in class and lab• 2 hours reading the text book• 3 hours doing homework problems

15

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Commitment: (Cont.)– If you are spending less than 4 hours or

more than 12 hours per week on this course then something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

16

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Class Attendance– Mandatory

• Come to class, its fun and interesting• Exam material may be covered in class• 3 unexcused absences gets you a call from me• 3 more unexcused absences gets you a call

from the Dean AND a drop of a letter grade for your final grade

17

COMS 261 Syllabus

• Class Attendance (Cont.)– Excused absences

• Sickness, but send me email or call me before class

• Death in the family, let me know before you go• Extra curricular activities (athletes, club

activates, …)