COSC175
Spring 2016

Table of Contents

Faculty Contact Information

Course Description

Course Objectives

Course Prerequisites

Course Attendance & Participation Policy

Software Requirements

Required Course Materials

Course Schedule and Assignments

Grading and Exam Policy

Other Policies and Procedures

Faculty Contact Information

Dr. Blair Taylor
Email:	btaylor@towson.edu
Web Page:	http:/tigerweb.towson.edu/btaylor/
Office Phone:	410-704-4560
Office Hours:	TWR 10-11 (YR427)

Email is the best way to contact me. Posting and answering questions on the  Facebook Group: Taylor COSC175 Spring 2016 is encouraged. I am on campus most days. Stop by anytime, but email first, to be sure I am not in meetings.

Return to Table of Contents

Course Description

This is an introductory course in structured programming logic. Students will learn to analyze problems; define data using simple data types and arrays; and create algorithmic solutions using basic control structures (sequence, selections, loops) and functions.  Successful completion of this course will satisfy the programming prerequisite for COSC236.

In this course, you will learn to systematically break down a problem into manageable parts; plan and design logical solutions; and write effective, structured, and well-documented instructions. Emphasis will be on problem-solving approaches (algorithms) and the fundamental concepts and programming techniques common to modern computer languages including variable assignment, expressions, input/output statements, loops, if-then-else and case constructs, functions, arrays, etc. While C++ will be used to build working programs, the concepts learned in this course are applicable to multiple modern programming languages.

Return to Table of Contents

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the software development process.

2. Understand that security has to be a consideration from the point of initial design and throughout the lifecycle of a product

3. Analyze problems and design structured solutions

4. Understand, create, and apply simple data types and arrays.

5. Identify common coding errors such as buffer overflow and integer error that lead to insecure programs 

6. Create algorithmic solutions using basic control structures (sequence, decisions, loops) and functions.

7. Understand the importance of input validation and be able to write correct input validation code

8. Compile, execute, and run simple programs (in C++)

9. Understand the importance of secure and responsible programming.

10.Conduct a personal code review (focused on common coding errors) on a program component using a provided checklist

Return to Table of Contents

Course Prerequisites

None

Return to Table of Contents

Course Attendance and Participation Policy

Student Attendance will be taken each day. It is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work.
Attendance is required and necessary for successful completion of this class.  If you must miss a class, please email me, but please contact another student to find out what you have missed.
Students should not attend classes or other university events from the onset of flu-like symptoms until at least 24 hours after the fever subsides without the use of fever reducing medications. Such absences will be considered excused absences; however, students are responsible for the material covered during the period of their absence.
Effective Spring 2013, the following attendance policy has been established for COSC175, COSC236, and COSC237:

      1.    Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared.
      2.    Attendance is recorded at every class session.
      3.    Your 3rd and each subsequent unexcused absence will lower your grade by 5%.
      4.    The equivalent of two weeks' worth of unexcused absences will result in an automatic F. No exceptions.

It is policy of the university to excuse the absences of students for the following reasons:

1.      Illness or injury when the student is unable to attend class

2.      Religious observance where the nature of the observance prevents the student from attending class

3.      Participation in university activities at the request of university authorities

4.      Compelling verifiable circumstances beyond the control of the student

Student Participation: Active participation is expected and encouraged.

Return to Table of Contents

Software Requirements

• Netbeans will be used in the lab. Instructions to download  on your own PC or MAC
• Netbeans cheat sheet is here.
• Submit all homework and labs in Microsoft Word format using the submit feature in Blackboard.

Return to Table of Contents

Required Course Materials

An Introduction to Programming with C++ by Diane Zak,Thompson Course Technology, recommended but not required.

Return to Table of Contents

Tentative Course Schedule

Wk	Date	Topic	Videos	Text	HW
1	Th: 1/28	Course Overview, Introduction, SDLC, Programming Languages, Programming	Intro - Part1	1	HW1
2	Tu: 2/2 W: 2/3 Th: 2/4	Analysis - Defining the Problem IPO Exercises C++ Lab0a Lab 1 Data  Representation, Numbering Systems HW 1 Due	Intro - Part2 IPO Charts Data 1	2	Data HW ***
3	Tu: 2/9  W: 2/10 Th: 2/11	Data Types   Exercises Variables Lab Operators, arithmetic & logical  Data Hw Due	Data 2 Operators	3	Ops HW
4	Tu: 2/16  W: 2/17 Th: 2/18	Algorithms  operator exercises Ops Lab Security Injection - Integer Error Selection  - if/else                          Ops HW Due	Ops 2 Selection 1	4
5	Tu: 2/23  W: 2/24 Th: 2/25	Selection Select. exercise Sel Lab 1  finish security injections No class, watch Test 1 Review video Test 1 Review	Selection 2 Test Review	5	Sel Hw
6	Tu: 3/1  W: 3/2 Th: 3/3	Selection - switch Sel Lab2 Sel HW Due Test 1		6
7	Tu: 3/8  W: 3/9 Th: 3/10	Loops - while Loops      Selection Lab 3 Loops - for, while cont'd Loop exercises	Loops Loops 2	7	Loops HW
	March 13-20	Spring Break
8	Tu: 3/22  W: 3/23 Th: 3/24	Loops - do while, nested Loop1 lab Security Injection - Input validation  Loops	Loops 2a Loops 3	8
9	Tu: 3/29  W: 3/30 Th: 3/31	Files Loop2 File Lab Loops HW Due Loops Quiz      Project Description	Files
10	Tu: 4/5  W: 4/6 Th: 4/7	Functions - void functions, parameters Function Lab1 value returning functions, pass by value, pass by reference	Func 1 Func 2	14	Function HW Due 4/18
11	Tu: 4/12  W: 4/13 Th: 4/14	Func Table Func Exer1 Parameter Practice  Project Proposal Due Function Lab2 Functions -solving a large problem Func Exer 3 Solution to First Problem	Func 3 Func 4	9 10
12	Tu: 4/19  W: 4/20 Th: 4/21	Functions Quiz Catch up lab  and Extra Credit activity!!       Arrays	Arrays 1	11
13	Tu: 4/26  W: 4/27 Th: 4/28	Watch the Arrays 1 video and complete pages 1-4 on Array Exercises(.doc) Array Lab 1 Two dimensional arrays	Arrays 2		Array HW
14	Tu: 5/3  W: 5/4 Th: 5/5	Linear and Binary Search        Search Exercises Array Quiz review Array 2  Security Injection - Buffer Overflow   Array Hw Due   Array Quiz	Projects	12
15	Tu: 5/10	Final Project Due Grade Calc Review
Final Exam: Tues. May 17 12:30 PM -2:30 PM

Return to Table of Contents

Grading and Exam Policy

• Submission
• All homework and lab assignments are submitted as Word documents.
• All homework and lab assignments are submitted via Blackboard.
• Homework Assignments
• No late homework will be accepted.
• Students must work in pairs for all homework. Exceptions will be made in exceptional circumstances. Each student is responsible for submitting the homework, with or without their partner.
• Lab Assignments
• Labs are due the following lab period.
• For each lab, submit 1. program 2. output and 3. answers to questions in one Word document.
• Students must work in pairs for all lab work. One student will drive (type) and one student will navigate (read and review). Students must switch roles each week. 
• Tests, Quizzes, and Exams
• If you miss a test or quiz, you must notify me within 24 hours, or your grade will be 0.
• Students may use a cheat sheet (one 8.5 x 11 page of notes, front and back) for all tests,quizzes, and exams.
• Make-up Exam Policy
• Make-up exams will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).
• The instructor reserves the right to create alternate make-up exams for students who are not able to take the scheduled, on-campus exams.
• Exams cannot be made up after the exam date has passed unless prior arrangements have been made.
• View your Grades
• All grades will be available in Blackboard. View "My Grades" from the course homepage.
• Check your grades! Any corrections must be reported and resolved prior to the last day of classes.
• How your Grade will be Determined

Assessment
Homework & Labs & Project	250 (25%)
Test1	200 (20%)
Three quizzes	300 (30%)
Final Exam	250 (25%)
Total	1000

Grading Scale
Grade	Percentage
A	93-100+%
A-	90-92.99%
B+	87-89.99%
B	83-86.99%
B-	80-82.99%
C+	77-79.99%
C	70-76.99%
D+	67-69.99%
D	60-66.99%
F	Below 60

Return to Table of Contents

Other Policies and Procedures

Special Needs - Students having special needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act should:

• Notify the Office for Students with Disabilities at x42638 as early in the term as possible.
• Notify the instructor after you have contacted the Office of Disability Services of any reasonable accommodations that would be appropriate for your situation.

Academic Honesty

• Each student's academic work must be the result of his or her own thought, research, or self-expression.
• Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying the work of another person (plagiarism) or permitting your work to be copied by another person, discussing test answers or questions with people who have not completed the test, distributing assignment materials to other students, posting course materials that have not been formally released to students in the course, and collaborating on the completion of assignments not specifically designated in the syllabus as being group projects".
• Please  refer to the Undergraduate Catalog, Appendix F for the Academic Integrity Policy. Cheating  may result in academic penalties (zero points on the assignment/test in question, a failing grade for the course), disciplinary action, and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Affairs. Examples 1) If it appears that two or more students have submitted the same material for any solo assignments, each student involved will receive zero points for that assignment. 2) If it appears that a student has copied an assignment from published material (including Internet sites), the student will receive zero points for that assignment.

Copyright

• The materials used on this course Web site may be protected by copyright and are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Withdrawals: The withdrawal date can be found at http://www.towson.edu/registrar/calendars/

Accessing Blackboard

• https://blackboard.towson.edu
• You can access the syllabus directly at: http://tigerweb.towson.edu/btaylor/cosc175/syllabus/syll_175sp16.html

Facebook

• You are welcome to join the Facebook group especially created for this class: Taylor COSC175 Spring 2016
• This group allows you to connect with classmates, post and answer questions, or discuss topics relevant to the course.

Additional Help and Open Lab

• Visit the department web page at : http://towson.edu/cosc
• Tutoring assistance is available; information is available under Student Resources on the Department Web page.

• As a COSC student, you have access to the Undergraduate Projects Lab (YR403), for more lab info check Student Resources.

Changes to the Syllabus

• The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus.

Return to Table of Contents