Spring 2008: Programming Methodology I (14:332:252): Course Information

 

Prof. D. Silver, CoRE 508, silver@ece.rutgers.edu

 

Lectures: Tuesday/Thursday 1:40-3pm,   Room: Eng B 120

Labs: Section: 01   Time: W 10:20-11:40 AM   Room: DSV Lab (ENG-B125)

           Section: 02   Time: W 12:00-1:20 PM      Room: DSV Lab (ENG-B125)

           Section: 03   Time: Th 10:20-11:40 AM    Room: DSV Lab (ENG-B125)

 

Textbook: The textbooks for the course are: How to Program in C++ by Deitel and Deite (5th edition), The lab book is C++ in the Lab by Deitel and Deitel. The lab book is an online manual (free from the Deitel web site). Some of the material covered in class is not in your textbook. For that material, extra notes/handouts will be posted online.

 

About this course: The first part of this course covers the basics of C++. It is assumed that you have some prior programming experience (not necessarily in C++). The basics include: program structure, looping, mathematical expression, functions, arrays, vectors, pointers, classes, recursion and simple algorithm analysis. The second part of the course covers object-oriented design (classes, inheritance, polymorphism), abstract data types, stacks, queues and linked lists (as time permits). It is an intensive course covering the basics of C++ and some data structures. 

 

Goals & Motivation:The goal of this course is to learn programming as a problem-solving skill. Problem solving is stressed using a variety of tools such as simple algorithm (program) analysis, and basic data structures. Since this is the only required programming course for the EE majors, some data structure is included in the course. 

 

Lab & Homework: The goal of the lab is to learn the basics of C++ programming. Labs are scheduled for W2,W3,Th2. They will be held in the DSV lab in the Engineering Building(B-125/127) a PC laboratory with about 60 seats (there is also the EIT lab and the ECE lab with available PC’s). We will be using Visual C++ in the lab.The lab session follow a “closed-lab” format. This is a new lab format for programming classes which have been found very effective for learning. The closed lab format is one used in many other engineering classes where work is done in the lab while being monitored and checked by a TA. Every week a lab from the lab book will be assigned. You are required to complete the prelab assignment BEFORE coming to the lab. At the lab, you will be assigned certain problems to complete during the lab time. These will be checked by the TA before you leave the lab. Occasionally, homework will also be handed out in class to help review concepts that may not be covered in the labs.

 

Quizzes: There will be anywhere from 0-10 quizzes given. Quizzes will be given in class, in lab, or online. A missed quiz will result in a 0 grade. There will be no retake on quizzes. The quizzes will be averaged together and the lowest quiz grade of each student will be dropped (so if you miss a quiz that will be the lowest and will not count). There are three different quiz formats: (1) an in-class surprise quiz (once the quiz starts you may not enter the class to take it) (2) online quiz during lab (3)online take-home quiz (these are considered part of the course grade). Quizzes must be taken alone.

 

Course Percentages: Below is a list of ranges for the various parts of this course. Ranges are given to allow students who are still learning in the early part of the class a chance to catch up and excel. For example, if you do much better on the final than on the midterm, the higher percentage will be used for calculating your grade..Percentages: Midterm: 25-35%, Final: 35-55%, Class Quizzes: 10-15%. Lab Grade is based on Lab assignments: 50-75%, Project and/or Lab exam: 30%, Lab Quizzes: 20-25%

 

Web Site: All information about the course, all assignments, extensions, due dates, TA contacts, office hours, and deadlines will be on the course web site at: http://sakai..rutgers.edu under the course name, Programming Methodologies I. You must be a registered student in this course to have access to the web site. If you have trouble logging in to sakai, please see a TA and get the problem resolved. You are responsible for keeping informed of any messages etc. which are posted. 

 

This class takes cheating seriously. We utilize special programs to detect cheating on homework, projects, etc. Please see the enclosed notice about program cheating.