Object Oriented Programming

Course Syllabus – Spring 2008

 

 

 

 

Course Information

 

 

Instructor:       Mike Jochen

Phone:             570.422.3036

Email:               mjochen@po-box.esu.edu

Office:               337 SCITECH Building

Office Hours:  Tu/Thur 9:00 –  11:00 a.m.

                           Weds 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

                           and by appointment


Course Number:      CPSC234 A901

Class Time/Place:    Tu/Thur, 11 a.m. – 12:15

                                      352 SCITECH Building

Semester Hours:      3

 

 

Resources:

 

Text: Deitel & Deitel. Java: How to Program, 7 Edition. Prentice Hall. 2007.

 

Software:

 

Class Web Page: http://www.esu.edu/~mjochen/Teaching/CPSC234/f08/

 

WebCT

 

Course Overview:

 

This course is designed to familiarize you with Object-Oriented Design and Programming. Principles of good Object-Oriented Design will be studied and applied by writing programs in the Java programming language. This is a programming intensive course, where you will create original executable computer programs to solve various problems throughout the semester. Prerequisite: CPSC 111.

 

Course Objectives:

 

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1.   Design and write programs using Object-Oriented principles.

2.   Utilize code reuse and enhancement by using class objects and inheritance.

3.   Utilize polymorphism to create more specialized objects and programs

4.   Utilize sound problem solving and program design techniques to solve a large, complex problem by decomposing the problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems.

5.   Work within an Interactive Development Environment to create original source code for an executable program.

6.   Write well-documented source code, following accepted principles of good style and program format.

7.   Use debugging tools and techniques to find and eliminate program faults and errors.

8.   Write working programs in the Java programming language.

 

Instructional Approach:

 

I encourage an open dialogue during class and view my role as that of a facilitator toward your gaining a deeper understanding of the course material. We will utilize an active learning based style for the class, with the following techniques:

  1. Small group discussion and problem solving
  2. In-class question and answer sessions
  3. Programming assignments (in-class and homework)
  4. Quizzes (announced and unannounced)
  5. Exams

Schedule:

 

The schedule for the class will be posted online and is subject to change. Please refer to the class calendar frequently.

 

Week

Dates

Topic

Reading

Activity

1

8/26, 28

Introductions,
Java & Classes

Chpt 1 - 3

Syllabus/email/simple program

2

9/2, 9/4

Control Statements & Methods

Chpt 4 – 6

Quiz

3

9/9, 9/11

Arrays & Classes

Chpt 6 – 7

 

4

9/16, 9/18

Classes

Chpt 8

Quiz

5

9/23, 9/25

Inheritance

Chpt 9

 

6

9/30, 10/2

Polymorphism

Chpt 10

 

7

10/7, 10/9

GUIs

Chpt 11

Quiz

8

10/16

Exceptions

Chpt 13

Mid Term Exam

9

10/21, 10/23

Exceptions

Chpt 13

(Switch Day: 10/14)

10

10/28, 10/30

GUIs 2

Chpt 22

Quiz

11

11/4, 11/6

Collections

Chpt 19

 

12

11/11, 11/13

Graphics

Chpt 12

 

13

11/18, 11/20

Graphics

Chpt 12

 Quiz

14

11/25

Generics

Chpt 18

(No Class 11/27)

15

12/2, 12/4

Generics

Chpt 18

Quiz

 

 

 

 

Final Exam

Requirements:

 

The following work will be required of you throughout the semester:

  1. Homework/programming assignments
  2. Larger programming project
  3. Quizzes
  4. Exams

 

Each week, you will have homework problems to complete. Some weeks, you will have just one set, in others, you will have one set for each class meeting. The size and difficulty of the problem set will dictate how many you will have for any given week. Expect to spend approximately ten hours each week on programming for this class.

 

During the semester you will have the opportunity to take several quizzes (some announced, some unannounced).

 

There will be two exams in this course – one mid-term exam and one final exam.

 

Grading:

 

All work is due at the time and day specified when the assignment is given. Class-work and homework (small assignments and larger projects) will be assigned and submitted for evaluation via WebCT. Hard copies (printouts) of all programming work will be collected in addition to WebCT. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, the lateness policy will take effect as described in the section below.

 

If you miss a class where a quiz was given, you will be given a score of zero for that quiz. You will be allowed to drop your lowest quiz grade when it comes time for the final grade. So in this case you will be able to drop a zero for a missed quiz. For more information, see the section on class attendance below.

 

All exams count towards your final grade. No exam grades will be dropped. If you miss an exam the day an exam is given, you will receive a grade of zero for that exam, unless you made prior arrangements with me to make up the exam. “Prior arrangements” does not include coming to me the day of or after an exam. “Prior arrangements” means coming to me well before the exam date to make arrangements for an excused absence on exam day.

 

The make-up of your total number of points for your final grade breaks down as follows:

 

            10% Class participation

10% Quizzes (announced and unannounced)

15% Homework

25% Programming Projects

20% Mid-Term Exam

20% Final Exam

 

Grading Policy:

 

I frequently feel that all too often, we artificially focus on the end of term grade rather than the content of a course. Nothing would please me more than to have a class full of students concerned solely with course material. I do realize however, that the pressure to maintain good grades for scholarships, awards, and applications for jobs and schools does indeed cause one to pay some attention to the end of term grade. A grade is the application of some arbitrary scale to reflect the amount and quality of work you, the student, accomplish during the semester. To that end, I do not assign your grade, you earn your grade.

 

The grading scheme for each assignment will be provided to you at the time the assignment is given. In this way, you will know exactly what I am looking for in terms of quality, focus, depth, and breadth of work. I do not believe in hidden agendas or surprising you with your grade on an assignment.

 

Rather than grading on a competitive, curve-based grading scheme, I use a criterion-based grade scale. Thus, if every student works sufficiently hard, and earns a letter grade of “A”, then all students will receive “A”s. Keep in mind, I generally view letter grades in the following light:

 

            A – Excellent

            B – Good

            C – Fair

            D – Poor

            E – Failure

 

This means, to receive an “A”, you must perform excellent work. Excellent work is that work which is marked with distinction, going above and beyond that of merely meeting the requirements for an assignment. Your final grades will be decided based on the following scale:

 

            A         90.0-100%

B         80.0-89.9%

            C         70.0-79.9%

            D         60.0-69.9%

            E         0-59.9%

 

Assignment Lateness Policy:

 

I strongly encourage you to keep up with the pace of the class and all associated work. Getting into the habit of turning in work after the due date will put you at a distinct disadvantage in learning the material. However, I do recognize that unforeseen events happen in life and I will accept late assignments with the following provisions: For each day late (n being the number of days late), you lose 2n points on your assignment. For example, if you turn in an assignment one day late, you will lose 21 or 2 points, two days late will cost 22 or 4 points, three days late will cost 23 or 8 points. In essence, the number of points deducted for lateness doubles each day. Late assignments will not be accepted after the sixth late day. Weekends and holidays count as late days.

 

Class Attendance/Participation Policy:

 

Class attendance is required. As such, attendance will be taken each class. If you are absent for four or more unexcused absences, you will receive a final grade of E (failure) for the class. I expect you to participate constructively in each class. When you fail to come to class, not only do you miss out on the material for the day, but you disadvantage your fellow students as your unique perspective is absent from class discussion and problem sessions.

 

If you are absent the day a quiz is given or an assignment is due, you will receive a grade of zero for the quiz or incur one day late for the assignment. If you know you must miss a class, please speak with me ahead of time so that we can try to make a mutually beneficial arrangement.

 

Academic Honesty Policy:

 

All work submitted is to be completed individually (unless indicated as a group assignment), and is to be the sole product of your own efforts. Group work is to be the sole product of members of the group. Any perception of anything to the contrary or that violates the spirit of the Student Code of Conduct will be handled accordingly. This policy is very specific on what constitutes Academic Misconduct and provides a range of very unpleasant possible outcomes, should a violation be suspected. I encourage you to become familiar with this policy. Please refer to the relevant sections of the Student Code of Conduct for more information.

 

 

Special Needs:

 

If you need special accommodations or require additional assistance to fully participate and be successful in this class, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I strongly desire each and every one of my students to be able to achieve their goals in this class. I will work with you and the Office of Disability Services to ensure that you have every opportunity to do well.

 

 
Ten Tips for Success:

 

1.      Come to class & arrive on time

2.      Actively participate in class discussion & activities

3.      Do the assigned reading

4.      Do the assigned homework/projects (and start work on them early!)

5.      Review your notes/assignments daily

6.      Ask questions when you are unsure of something

7.      Ask questions when you would like to know more about something

8.      Accept points of view that differ from your own

9.      Respect the other members of your class

10.   Come see me as soon as you have difficulty with any of the material we cover in class