CS1301

Syllabus

So Who uses Python Anyway?

• Yahoo! Launches Python Developer Center
• Great article on O'Reilly's website
• Excellent Usenix article
• Industrial Light + Magic
• Walt Disney Feature Animation
• Blender 3D modeling
• Google
• Yahoo
• Lawrence Livermore Labs
• Red Hat
• NASA
• National Weather Service
• YOU DO!

Course Objectives

1. To understand the basic concepts of computer programming in a high-level language.
2. To be able to use and combine control flow constructs to form useful programs.
3. To understand and become familiar with a number of simple data structures.
4. To understand the process and skills necessary to effectively deal with problem solving in relation to writing programs.
5. To be able to test and debug programs.
6. To understand and employ functions and modularity.
7. Through labs become comfortable with common software packages in use today.

Course Materials

• Required Text: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python by Allen B. Downey, Jeffrey Elkner, and Chris Meyers. Free Online Version: Open Book Project or Green Tree Press
• Recommended Reference Text: Python How to Program by Deitel, Deitel, Liperi, and Wiedermann. ISBN: 0130923613.
• Course Website: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2007/cs1301_spring/
• Lecturer's Website: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/~sweat

LETTER GRADES

Letter grade assignments are given according to the following cutoffs with no rounding:

• 90.0 <= A <= 100
• 80.0 <= B < 90.0
• 70.0 <= C < 80.0
• 60.0 <= D < 70.0
• 0 <= F < 60.0

Grading Policies

There is no curve in this course. The grading breakdown is as follows:

• Homework: 20%
• Labs: 5%
• Tests: 50%
• Final: 25%

Timely handling of grade disputes: Disputes of grading on assignments, exams, etc must be discussed within one week of their return or posting. Should you find yourself having an issue with a grade, contact your TA.

Due Dates/Times: Assignments are due electronically via T-Square. For homework and labs due on the date and time the assignment states it is due (and this is also indicated on the course calendar on T-Square.) Submissions of HW and labs up to 24 hours late are accepted with a grade penalty of 20%. Anything more than 24 hours late is not accepted.

Late Work and Missed Exam Policy: Homework and labs more than 24 hours late will receive no credit. Similarly, there are no makeups for missed exams. Any request for exceptions to this policy must be made in advance when at all possible. Requests should be due to incapacitating illness, death in the family, or something similarly serious and be accompanied by supporting documentation. Events such as sleeping through your alarm, alarm malfunction, not being aware of the exam are not valid excuses.

Email Policy for this Course

Use your Georgia Tech email when sending email to us. Please attach [cs1301] to the beginning of the subject of your email! Please also indicate who you are within your email. :)

TA Help Desk

• When? Click on the TA Help Desk Link
• Where? The commons area of the College of Computing building. It is the open area near Room 103.
• TAs will man a desk with a computer in the commons area according to the schedule posted. Take advantage of this useful opportunity for help!

Assignment Submission

Almost all assignments will be submitted electronically via T Square. More info will be provided on your first assignment to be turned in this way.

Collaboration

Write comments at the top of each file you turn in detailing your information:

• Include your name
• Include your gt email address
• Include your collaboration statement - the wording of the collaboration statement should be:

Collaboration Statement: place here the appropriate one of the following:

• "I worked on the homework assignment alone, using only course materials." OR
• "I worked on this homework with [give the names of the people you worked with] and referred to [cite any texts, web sites, or other materials not provided as course materials for CS 1301."

Keep in mind that you are allowed to work with other students currently in CS1301. Give credit though using the collaboration statement. Monica and the current TA's should be treated as course material and need not be listed in the collaboration statement.

If you have someone else in mind - ask Monica for approval for any source or person outside the course.

Course Expectations

1. Lecture and workshop attendance is required.
2. Keep up with the reading.
3. Do your homework and labs! Learning to program is like learning a sport. It takes actual practice and time to get good. The assignments that are given are opportunites to learn the material that you will be responsible for on exams. Use collaboration wisely to help you learn.
4. Take responsibility for your coursework submissions; it is your job to make sure that you successfully turned in what you meant to turn in. Be sure to verify your submission. This is how you make sure that you get credit for the work you do. When you submit an assignment on T-Square, you will receive an email confirmation. Keep this confirmation! If you fail to receive a confirmation, you should trust that your assignment was NOT received and turn it in properly.
5. Be prepared when you go to get help from a TA or your instructor. Bring your work with you.
6. Take initiative. Begin your assignments early and if you think you need help, come prepared. Use the resources that are provided for you, and be determined to succeed from the start.

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