Instructor Information

Class Schedule

Lecture

  MW 12:30 - 1:45 PM   LOV 101

Recitation

Course Requirements:

Prerequisite Course

• All students taking CGS 3408 are required to have previously taken and passed (C- or higher final grade) MAC 1140, or MAC 2311 or MAC 2233.
  If you have not completed this requirement (one of these courses, or its equivalent) the CS department will drop you from CGS 3408 automatically.

Course Website:

• http://www.cs.fsu.edu/~myers/cgs3408

Textbook: - C: How To Program, Deitel & Deitel, 4th ed.

Course Objectives:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of fundamental computer science concepts, including software and hardware
• Solve computing problems using a top-down approach in a well-structured design using procedural programming techniques
• Design, implement, test, and debug a C program to solve a given problem
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of control structures used in procedural programming, including sequence, selection, iteration, and functions.
• Make use of data types and structures in C, including integer and floating point types, arrays (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, strings) and structs, arrays of structs, and structs containing arrays.
• Utilize algorithms studied to perform common tasks, such as finding the max and min of a data set, counting, summing, tracking a previous value, searching and sorting, reading until EOF, etc.
• Consider, compare, and evaluate code segments or simple algorithms for relative efficiency in a basic fashion
• Time permitting, be able to understand and recognize the basics of recursion

Grading Policy:

In addition to the scale listed above, in order to earn a C- or better in the course, a student is required to achieve a test average of C- or better. If the test average is below this level, the highest possible course grade is a D. The test average can be computed with the following formula:

  TestAvg = ((Test1 * 20) + (Test2 * 20) + (FinalExam * 30)) / 70

Letter Grade Scale:

Tests:

Test Dates: (Test 1 and 2 tentative)

Recitation / Quizzes

Programming Assignments

• There will be a variety of homeworks and programming projects assigned. Earlier assignments will likely be smaller and easy to complete in a shorter amount of time. Later assignments in the course will increase in level and difficulty. Assignment specifications will be posted on the web page.
• Turn in all assignments on time! Late assignments will be accepted one day after the due date, with the deduction of a letter grade (10%). Assignments more than a day late will not be accepted.
• Compiling -- Programs that do not compile are very tedious to grade, and they show a lack of testing, which is a large part of programming. There will be an automatic 5% point penalty for each compile error in a student's code that has to be fixed in the grading process. (This means that program submissions with compile errors will likely earn very little, if any, credit). Make sure your code compiles before you submit it!!!
• A few words of advice:
  • The most common reason for not doing well on programming assignments is waiting too late to start. You will be given plenty of time to complete each project, but if you wait until the last day or two to start, you may not be able to finish. Plan to do some work on the project early, every day if possible. Try to finish a few days early -- as many unexpected problems arise during programming, especially when debugging. In addition, if you are using a machine in a computer lab, you may have to wait for an available one. PLAN for these things to happen, and allow ample time to meet course deadlines.
  • BACKUP your work. In fact, it's a good idea to keep copies on your CS account and on a home computer. Keep an untouched copy of your completed assignment on your CS account -- if any unexpected problems arise with program submission, you may need to produce a backup copy

Web References:

Miscellaneous Policies:

1. A student will be allowed to make up a missed test if he or she has a notice of illness from the Student Heath Center or family physician. Any other excuses that are not medical or emergency related will be at the discretion of the instructor, and must be approved at least a week in advance.
2. Students in the class should have a computer account from the Computer Science Department (sign up for one if you don't already have one), and this can and should be used to store project files and access one of the compilers used in the course.
3. Please turn OFF all cellular phones, beepers, etc. in the classroom.

Academic Honor Code:

• Students are expected to do their own work on any classwork or test submitted for a grade (unless designated as a group assignment).
  • It is NOT appropriate to work on assignments with other students or to give or receive solutions to or from anyone before an assignment is due and handed in (by all parties).
  • Discussing solutions and techniques on assignments with other students after the assignment has been graded and handed back is okay, and encouraged.
  • When you turn in work with your name on it, you are representing that work as your own. If your submission matches that of another student, this is considered a violation of the Academic Honor Code.
• If a group project is given, then names of all group members would appear on the single program submission. This is appropriate
• Examples found in the course textbook may be used in programs, as long as the source is cited. This is appropriate, as some hand-in assignments may be based on program examples found in the book or contain other code that is provided to you in the assignment specification
• A first violation of the honor code will result, at minimum (but not limited to), a penalty of a 0 grade on the assignment or test involved, along with a reduced letter grade in the course.
• Any second violation of the honor code will result in an automatic F in the course, and possible proceedings before the Honor Court.

Accommodation of Disabilities: