COURSE: COSC 117 Programming Fundamentals

TERM: Fall 2015

INSTRUCTOR: Dean DeFino

TELEPHONE: Office (410-543-6145) Home (410-546-5461)

TEXTBOOKS: COSC 117 Text and Lab Manual    Dean DeFino

PURPOSE: The purpose of this course is to give students an introduction into basic computer programming using Java.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the course are as follows:

To learn the basic fundamentals instructions and concepts of programming and to develop an object oriented approach to problem solving.
To learn the basic features Java.

PROCEDURES: Classroom work will consist of discussion, demonstration and student participation. All tests and exams are comprehensive and are to be taken on the assigned date, unless special permission is given by the instructor in cases of emergency. Makeup exams are given only to those students who have an absence that has been approved by the instructor. Programs are due at the beginning of the class on the date they are due. Late programs will be penalized 10% per day including weekends. Programs more than 2 days late will receive a 0% grade. This course contains a lab component which will consist of lab assignments.

WRITING: Assigned programs which will contain good and adequate documentation.

If you must leave the class early for a legitimate reason, please inform the instructor before the class starts.  Leaving a class early without notifying the instructor is the same as an absence.   If an emergency arises that you must leave the class (even if you return), please inform the instructor at the end of the class.
Food and drinks are not to be taken into the classroom or labs.

GRADING: The final grade is based on 100 possible points.

A 90 -100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59

Tests (including the final)       55%
Programs & Homework         30%   (4 programming assignments)
Lab Work                               15%

Although the programs are only 30% of the grade, every student must turn in a workable program for each assignment. A student turning in only three workable programs will receive no more than a C for the course. A student turning in only two workable program will receive no more than a D for the course. A student turning in only one or no workable program will fail the course.  This is a PROGRAMMING COURSE.  NOTE:  Any program that has syntax errors will receive a grade of 0%!!!!!   All homework (including algorithms, programs etc.) must be typed.  Tree structures are the only portion of an algorithm that can be handwritten. 

Although the lab assignments are only 15% of the grade, every lab assignment must be turned in. A full letter grade will be deducted from the class for each lab assignment not turned in! If you need help, please contact the instructor.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is a vital part of the learning experience and each student is expected to be present each time. After two un-excused absences, .5 will be deducted from the final grade for each un-excused absence.

NEITHER Cell phones NOR MP3 players (or other audio/visual equipment) are to be used during class or lab time.  (No calls and no text messaging during class)  Silence your cell phones during all classes.

OFFICE: Devilbiss Hall  room 105

Office Hours: MW  9:00 - 9:50   11:00- 12:30     F   11:00- 12:00

Final Exam  Friday December 18  1:30 - 4:00 p.m.