CS 112 Course Syllabus

CS 112 Syllabus for Spring 2008
Instructors Jim Schwing
Phone: (509) 963-1432
schwing@cwu.edu 		Diana Rae Springer-Lund
Phone: (509) 963-2295
springerlund@cwu.edu
Office Hours Office: Hebeler 219
Mon. & Wed. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Others times by appointment.
Please see schedule here for other office
times for walk-in or by appointment. 		Office: Hebeler 216
Mon. 8:00 a.m.
Tu. 10:00 a.m.
Wed. 8:00 a.m.
Th. 10:00 a.m.
Textbook Learning to Program with Alice, Brief Edition
by Wanda P Dann, Stephen Cooper, and Randy Pausch
Prentice Hall, 2007
ISBN: 0-132-39775-7
WWW www.cwu.edu/~cs112
Software

You will want to bring a USB thumb drive to lab to save and backup your work

  • Alice 2.0 for computer animation
  • Simcir Circuit Simulator
  • Scribbler Control Panel for robotics
Catalog Description CS 112 Foundations of Computer Science (4 credits)
Overview of the computer science profession including basic computer organization, algorithm development and analysis, computer data representation, computer applications and social issues.
Prerequisites: none
Rationale This course introduces topics central to computer science: programming, algorithms, hardware, and career possibilities. It is designed around hands-on activities involving computer animation, robotics, logic circuits, and hardware.
Assessment
  • (10%) Pre-Lab Assignments
  • (20%) Lab Assignments
  • (40%) Program Assignments
    • Program 1 - Alice Animation
    • Program 2 - Scribbler Robot
  • (20%) Research Paper - Computing Careers
  • (10%) Attendance and Class Participation
Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, you will demonstrated the ability to

  • Create computer animations using the Alice programming environment
    • Design and develop an animated world using sequential, conditional, and looping algorithms
    • Write an event-driven game that reacts to user generated input
    • Write object-oriented programs using objects, methods, and parameters
    • Add code comments and documentation to your programs to make them easier for others to understand
    • Use storyboards as a user interface design technique
    • Use pair programming and agile methods as a software development process
  • Recognize the various jobs and careers in the computer field
    • Investigate one computer career in detail
  • Explain how computers work
    • Convert numbers between bases including base 2 (binary), base 10 (decimal) and base 16 (hexadecimal)
    • Explain how computers represent text and images
    • Describe the role and function of the various components that go together to build computers
    • Design and build simple computer circuits
  • Program Scribbler robots to act intelligently
    • Test and debug programs that control robot(s)
    • Explain the successes and limitations of artificial intelligence
    • Explain the importance of abstraction in programming languages
Attendance and Class Participation Class attendance and participation are critical for success in this course. You are expected to come to class prepared to participate in the lectures, discussions, and hands-on learning. Just as important is showing respect for others, careful listening, and cooperative work outside of class. During the lecture/discussion portions of the class, kindly refrain from using the computer. Under no circumstances should you be reading email, playing Internet games, or pursuing other unrelated activities during the class sessions.

Class attendance will regularly recorded. Everyone is given two free absences without affecting your grade. However, each missed day over two will lower the Attendance and Class Participation portion of your grade by 10%. For example, if you miss four days, your score for Attendance and Class Participation would be 80%.
ADA Statement Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments in this class should give me a copy of their Confirmation of Eligibility for Academic Adjustments from the Disability Support Services Office as soon as possible so we can meet to discuss how the approved adjustments will be implemented in this class. Students with disabilities without this form should contact the Disability Support Services Office, Bouillon 205 or dssrecept@cwu.edu or 963-2171 immediately.
Caveat The schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change. It is the student's responsibility to learn of and adjust to changes.