Instructor

Norman Lippincott, Asst. Professor
Dept. of Mathematical and Information Sciences
Curtis Hall, Room 105

610-606-4666 ext. 3697 (home phone provided upon request)
nlippinc@cedarcrest.edu
http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/csc/nlippincott/

Office Hours: MWTh 12-2, MTu 5-6 (updates and exceptions posted on web site)

Supplemental Instruction

SI Leader: Heather Cook, hmcook@cedarcrest.edu
Hours:

Course Description

An introduction to computer programming using the C++ programming language. Emphasis is on a complete problem solving approach from problem analysis through implementation as a computer program. Students learn basic programming constructs including sequential program flow, selection, and iteration. Native C++ data types (to represent integer, decimal, and character data) are presented as well as an introduction to strings. Interactive and file input/output processing is used. Modular program development techniques are stressed. Array processing is presented.

Prerequisites: none, but general computer literacy and an understanding of high-school algebra is assumed.

Course Objectives

Textbook

Hennefeld, Baker, and Burchard; Using C++, An Introduction to Programming, 2nd ed., Brooks/Cole, 2003. ISBN: 0-534-39146-X.

Assessment

Grades are based on the following assessment items:

A final average is calculated according the the weights above and are rounded to the nearest full percent. The final grade is awarded according to the following scale:

  • 93-100: A
  • 90-92: A-
  • 87-89: B+
  • 83-86: B
  • 80-82: B-
  • 77-79: C+
  • 73-76: C
  • 70-72: C-
  • 67-69: D+
  • 60-66: D
  • 0-59: F

Assignments

Assignments will consist of one or more problems for which you will need to devise a solution and implement that solution as a C++ program. Accompanying documentation may also be required. Assignments are to be submitted in both electronic and printed form. Your instructor will provide instrucitons on submitting electronic copies of C++ programs over the Internet.

Completion of assignments will require the use of a C++ compiler. There are several good compilers available, and any compiler that is compliant with the 1998 ANSI/ISO C++ Standard may be used. (See your instructor's web site, under C++ Resources, for a good, free C++ compiler that you can download.)

The eight assignments will be worth a total of 100 points (to be factored as 30% of the final grade) with each assignment worth 10 to 20 points.

Tests

Tests will be written and will consist of problems and short answer questions. Usage of the computer will not be allowed during tests.

For classes that meet one evening per week, the test period will be during the second half of the class meeting.

Final Exam

The format of the final exam will the same as that of the tests, but longer, and may include a computer-based portion. The final exam is comprehensive.

Class Participation

Students who are active and attentive members of the class, and who contribute to the class from time to time, will receive 5 points for class participation. Students who fall short of this expectation will receive fewer points, commensurate with their level of participation. Also, students who do not abide by Classroom Protocol guidelines will receive a reduced class participation grade.

Policies

Attendance

Regular attendance is an important factor contributing to the student's success in the class. Although much of the material covered in class comes from the textbook, some course content comes from the instructor's notes or other resources, and may be delivered only in lecture form. The student is responsible for all material covered in class, and should arrange to get notes from another student in the event of absence from class. The instructor's notes are not available for perusal by the students.

Your instructor keeps an attendance record for the class, however this record does not directly affect the student's grade. If a student has excessive absence and is not showing responsibility for the course material, a report of concern will be issued to the Advising Center.

If the student is absent on the day of a test, arrangements for a makeup must be made in advance of the test. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for the test.

Due Dates and Late Work

Your instructor will announce the date and time that each assignment is due. This information will also appear on your instructor's web site. Note that, for some classes, assignment due dates might not correspond to class meeting dates.

By turning in assignments on time your work will be graded and returned in a timely manner (usually within one week), and with comments as appropriate.

Late work will be accepted up to two weeks past the due date and will be subject to any or all of the following:

Any work that is not turned in within two weeks of the due date will receive a grade of zero.

Honor Philosophy

The Cedar Crest College Student Guide includes the following under Honor Philosophy, Community Standards for Academic Conduct, Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity and ethics remain steadfast, withstanding technological change. Cedar Crest College academic standards therefore apply to all academic work, including, but not limited to, handwritten or computer-generated documents, video or audio recordings, and telecommunications.

All Cedar Crest students shall:

Unless specifically designated by the instructor, assignments for this course are individual assignments, not group projects. It is reasonable and appropriate for students to discuss an assignment outside of class, but the actual assignment work is to be one's own. It is not appropriate to collaborate on assignments, nor is it appropriate to copy another student's assignment, alter its appearance, and present it as one's own individual work. Such behavior is plagiarism and a violation of the Honor Philosophy, and will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. A second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.

Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss these needs with their professors during the first two weeks of class. Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations should contact the Advising Center.

Release of Confidential Information

In order to remain in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the following policies will be in effect with regard to the release of information related to the student's academic record (i.e. grades):

Extra Credit

Your instructor may, at his option, offer the class an extra credit assignment, based on the overall need of the class. How such an assignment affects the grade will be determined if and when the extra credit assignment is offered. Individual requests for extra credit will not be granted.

Classroom Protocol

The Cedar Crest College Student Guide includes the following under Honor Philosophy, Community Standards for Academic Conduct, Classroom Protocol:

Appropriate classroom behavior is implicit in the Cedar Crest Honor Code. Such behavior is defined and guided by complete protection for the rights of all students and faculty to a courteous, respectful classroom environment. That environment is free from distractions such as late arrivals, early departures, inappropriate conversations, and any other behavior that might disrupt instruction and/or compromise students' access to their Cedar Crest College education.

Class Visitors

Anyone not registered for the course who wishes to sit in as a visitor must obtain permission from the instructor in advance. Class visitors are to adhere to the same classroom protocol as is expected from registered members of the class. For classes held in a computer classroom, visitors will not be permitted to use the computers in the classroom.

Computer Classrooms

When a class is held in a computer classroom, the computers in the room are to be used for class-related activities only. Using the computers for Web browsing, instant messaging, gaming, or other non-class-related activities is prohibited.

Specifically, students are to follow these guidelines during class:

Any student violating this policy will be subject to the following penalties:

Course Schedule

Tu Topic Reading
Aug 24 Course Introduction
Writing Programs: A First View
Introduction to C++
1.4, 2.1-2.6
31 More on the Elements of C++ 3.1-3.7, 3.9
Sep 7 Selection Using if and if..else 4.1-4.6
14 Functions and Program Design
Test 1: Sep. 21
5.1-5.8
21
28 The string Data Type and More Output Formatting 6.1-6.5
Oct 5 Loops 3.8, 7.1-7.5
19 Functions with Reference Parameters
Test 2: Oct. 26
9.1-9.3
26
Nov 2 Text Files and Streams 2.5, 11.1-11.9
9 Arrays and the vector Class 13.1-13.8
16
23 Searching and Sorting 14.1-14.4
30

Final exam date will be announced by the Registrar.