CS21:Intro to Computer Science

(Knerr/Fall 2016)

Course Info | Schedule | Grading | Academic Integrity
Student Support | Tips for Success | Code Style | Links
Introduction to Computer Science using Python

Announcements

  • Lab 11 will not be graded, but might help for the final.
  • Final Exam is Sat, Dec 10, 7-10pm in SciCen 101

Course Information

Section 1: MWF 10:30–11:20, Sci Cntr 256
Section 2: MWF 11:30–12:20, Sci Cntr 256
Professor: Jeff Knerr
Office: Sci Cntr 238A (at back of 240 and 238)
Office hours: I will definitely try to be around on Mondays from 2-4pm. You can also stop by whenever my door is open. I usually work from home on Thursdays.

Other Section: Ameet Soni (TR 1:15–2:30)
Lab Instructor: David Mauskop

Welcome to CS21. This course will introduce fundamental ideas in computer science while also teaching you how to write computer programs. We will study algorithms for solving problems and implement solutions in the Python programming language. Python is an interpreted language that is known for its ease of use. We also introduce object-oriented programming and data structures. A deeper coverage of these topics will be presented in CS 35.

This course is appropriate for all students who want to learn how to write computer programs and think like computer scientists. It is the usual first course for computer science majors and minors. Students with advanced placement credit or extensive programming experience should place out of this course and instead begin with CS31 or CS35.

Textbook:

book pic We will primarily be using the online book How to think like a computer scientist: Learning with Python by Elkner, Downey and Meyers.


See the Schedule for each week's reading assignment.

Here are a few other useful online resources:

Goals for the course:

By the end of the course, we hope that you will have developed the following skills:


Schedule

This is a tentative schedule; it may change as we go.
WEEK DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS TOPIC & READING LABS     
1

Aug 29

 

Introduction to Python and Unix

In class topics:
variables
for loops

Lab 0: unix, editing

Aug 31

 

Sep 02

 
2

Sep 05

 

Writing simple programs

In class topics:
slicing,indexing
string formatting
accumulator

Lab 1: first programs

Sep 07

 

Sep 09

Drop/add ends

3

Sep 12

 

Conditionals

In class topics:
branching

Lab 2: numbers and strings

Sep 14

Quiz 1 Topics

Sep 16

Quiz 1

4

Sep 19

 

First functions, while loops

In class topics:
functions
while loops
vim tips

Lab 3: branching

Sep 21

 

Sep 23

 
5

Sep 26

 

Graphics, Using Objects

In class topics:
graphics

Lab 4: while loops

Sep 28

Quiz 2 Topics

Sep 30

Quiz 2

6

Oct 03

 

Fruitful Functions

In class:
functions (more)

Lab 5: graphics

Oct 05

 

Oct 07

 
 

Oct 10

Fall Break

Oct 12

Oct 14

7

Oct 17

 

File IO, Top-Down Design

In class:
file IO

Lab 6: snails

Oct 19

Quiz 3 Topics

Oct 21

Quiz 3

8

Oct 24

 

Searching

In class:
searching

Lab 7 (design): scattergories

Oct 26

 

Oct 28

 
9

Oct 31

 

Sorting

In class:
sorting

Lab 7 (program): scattergories

Nov 02

Quiz 4 Topics

Nov 04

CR/NC/W Deadline

Quiz 4

10

Nov 07

 

Recursion

In class:
recursion

Lab 8 : nasdaq

Nov 09

 

Nov 11

 
11

Nov 14

 

Classes and Objects

In class:
classes

Lab 9 : recursion

Nov 16

Quiz 5 Topics

Nov 18

Quiz 5

12

Nov 21

 

Classes and Objects

  • more examples

In class:
classes

Lab 10 : pong

Nov 23

 

Nov 25

Thanksgiving

13

Nov 28

 

Linked Lists

  • python list vs linked list
  • Node() class
  • LinkedList() class
  • linked list methods
  • analysis of algorithms

  • Ch 18: Linked Lists

In class:
linked lists

Lab 10 : pong

Nov 30

Quiz 6 Topics

Dec 02

Quiz 6

14

Dec 05

Final Topics

Wrap up

In class:
linked lists

Lab 11 : linkedlist

Dec 10

Final: 7-10pm Science Center 101


Grading Policies

Grades will be weighted as follows:
35%Lab assignments
30%Quizzes
30%Final Exam
5%Class Participation

Exam and Quizzes

Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on the days posted on the Schedule. Please look over these dates carefully and contact the professor in advance if you cannot be in class for a quiz.

If you are not present on the day of a quiz, and do not let me know ahead of time that you are missing class, you will receive a zero for that quiz.

There will be one final exam for the semester. Details and dates will be released during the semester. Please read the section on accommodations if you are in need of extra time. You must inform me of accommodations or conflicts at least 2 weeks in advance of the exam.

Lab Policy

This course features weekly lab assignments which are the largest component of your course grade. Lab attendance is required by all students, unless you have already completed and submitted the lab assignment for the week. You must attend the lab session for which you are enrolled:

Weekly Lab Sessions
CS21 A 1:15—2:45pm Wednesdays Mauskop Science Center 256
CS21 B 3:00—4:30pm Wednesdays Mauskop Science Center 256
CS21 C 1:05—2:35pm Tuesdays Mauskop Science Center 240
CS21 D 2:45—4:15pm Tuesdays Mauskop Science Center 240

Lab assignments will typically be assigned in class at the beginning of the week and will be due before midnight on Saturdays. You are strongly encouraged to start early and to attend the study sessions for extra practice.

You will submit you assignments electronically using the handin21 program. You may submit your assignment multiple times, and a history of previous submission will be saved. You are encouraged to submit your work regularly.

Late Policy:

Late assignments are not accepted and will receive zero credit (see exceptions below). Even if you do not fully complete an assignment, you should submit what you have done to receive partial credit.

The CS labs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you to use for CS21 lab assignments.

If you feel that you need an extension on an assignment or that you are unable to attend class for two or more meetings due to a medical condition (e.g., extended illness, concussion, hospitalization) or other emergency, you must contact the dean's office and your instructors. Faculty will coordinate with the deans to determine and provide the appropriate accommodations. Note that for illnesses, the College's medical excuse policy, states that you must be seen and diagnosed by the Worth Health Center if you would like them to contact your class dean with corroborating medical information.


Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is required in all your work. Under no circumstances may you hand in work done with (or by) someone else under your own name. Your code should never be shared with anyone; you may not examine or use code belonging to someone else, nor may you let anyone else look at or make a copy of your code. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining solutions from students who previously took the course or code that can be found online. You may not share solutions after the due date of the assignment.

Discussing ideas and approaches to problems with others on a general level is fine (in fact, we encourage you to discuss general strategies with each other), but you should never read anyone else's code or let anyone else read your code. All code you submit must be your own with the following permissible exceptions: code distributed in class, and code found in the course text book. In these cases, you should always include detailed comments that indicates on which parts of the assignment you received help, and what your sources were.

Failure to abide by these rules constitutes academic dishonesty and will lead to a hearing of the College Judiciary Committee. According to the Faculty Handbook: "Because plagiarism is considered to be so serious a transgression, it is the opinion of the faculty that for the first offense, failure in the course and, as appropriate, suspension for a semester or deprivation of the degree in that year is suitable; for a second offense, the penalty should normally be expulsion." Be aware that we will be routinely running plagiarism detection software on the lab solutions of students from all sections of CS21.

Please contact me if you have any questions about what is permissible in this course.


Student Support

Lauri Courtenay is the CS Department's Academic Support Coordinator. She will be working closely with our student mentors, also known as Ninjas, to help you learn how to program and think like a computer scientist. The CS21 Ninjas will assist me in class and run evening study sessions in the birds' nest (Sci 256). The CS21 Ninjas (student mentors) are: Rachel Diamond, Caleb Ho, Emily Wu, Daniel Pike, Carlo Sivilotti, Charlotte Raty, Reba Magier, and Sonya Chen.

Study Sessions

You are invited -- and encouraged -- to participate in Ninja evening study sessions to prepare for quizzes, to discuss programming concepts, and to get friendly assistance in working on lab assignments. Our CS mentoring team is dedicated to helping students, who have no prior knowledge of computer science, learn to program in Python while keeping their senses of humor intact. As an added bonus, free snacks will be provided at the sessions. The sessions are held:

Weekly Evening Ninja Sessions
Tuesdays 7—9pm Sci Center 256
Wednesdays 7—10pm Sci Center 256

Accessing the CS labs after hours

You can use your ID to gain access to the computer labs at nights and on the weekends. Just wave your ID over the microprox reader next to the lab doors. When the green light goes on, just push the door to get in (the door knob will not turn). If the green light doesn't go on, then we need to enter your microprox number into the system. Email local-staff@cs.swarthmore.edu (or see Bridget) if you have problems with this. If the building is locked, you can use your ID to enter the door between Martin and Cornell library. For this class, your ID will give you access to the labs in rooms 238, 240, and 256.

Academic Accommodations

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact Leslie Hempling in the Office of Student Disability Services (Parrish 113) or email lhempli1 to arrange an appointment to discuss your needs. As appropriate, she will issue students with documented disabilities a formal Accommodations Letter. Since accommodations require early planning and are not retroactive, please contact her as soon as possible. For details about the accommodations process, visit the Student Disability Service website.

To receive an accommodation for a course activity, you must have an Accommodation Authorization letter from Leslie Hempling and you need to meet with me to work out the details of your accommodation at least one week prior to the activity.

You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your academic needs. However, all disability-related accommodations must be arranged through Leslie Hempling in the Office Of Student Disability Services.


How to Succeed in CS 21


Programming Style

Programming is not a dry mechanical process, but a form of art. Well written code has an aesthetic appeal while poor form can make other programmers and instructors cringe. Programming assignments will be graded based on style and correctness. Good programming practices usually include many of the following principles:

Also, look over the Python Code Style Guide for more details and some examples of good code style.


Links that are related to the course may be posted here. If you have suggestions for links, let me know.

pythonchallenge
Algorithms to Live By...
How To Think Like a Computer Scientist: Python for Software Design
Python Tutor
Vi Quick Reference
Python style guide From Prof. Tia Newhall
Using Unix
Basic Unix Commands
Graphics reference
Dive Into Python
(A Semi-Official) Python FAQ Zone
NodeBox
Python Documentation (Note: we are using v2.7)
emacs beginner's guide