IT 109: Introduction to Computer Programming
Course Description:
Introduction to Computer Programming is intended
for the students who has no or very little programming knowledge. This course
is designed to teach the importance of programming in solving basic problems,
write small useful codes to achieve necessary goals irrespective of the
student's’ major. The course accomplishes the goals through hands on
experiences in the lecture class as well as through computer laboratory works.
Topics to be discussed include but not limited to: variables, conditionals,
functions, strings, iterations, storage types and files.
Class Time and Schedule:
Contact Information:
Instructor: Irina Hashmi
Room: Engineering Building # ENGR 5345
Office
Hours:
Monday 10:30 – 12:00PM
Tuesday 09:30 – 10:30 AM
Thursday: 5:00 – 5:55 PM
Email: ihashmi@gmu.edu
(PLEASE
NOTE that my correct email address is ihashmi@gmu.edu, NOT ihashmi@masonlive.gmu.edu . They are not the same addresses.
If you send email to masonlive account, I will not receive it and hence you
will not hear from me.)
Website:
http://mason.gmu.edu/~ihashmi/
Course Syllabus:
A generic syllabus is available here and the section syllabus is available at Blackboard course site.
Textbook:
1.
Required:
Python Programming for the
Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1435455002/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_JM-BzbPCJJ81T
2. Optional: free Python wiki: available
wiki (simpler than a python textbook, but
contains more syntax than we will cover)
Quizzes:
Anticipate bi-weekly quizzes. These are
based upon the previously learned concepts. You should prepare for quizzes by
understanding the materials presented in the respective course sessions and
labs. Quizzes are closed book and you are not allowed to help others. If you
miss a quiz at the beginning of a class, you can take it at the end of that
class. Missing quizzes cannot be taken later unless there is some unavoidable
conditions or pre-agreement with the instructor. One lowest score will be
dropped.
Assignments and
Projects:
Throughout the semester we will use
computer laboratory to perform different types of coding assignments and
projects. These sorts of exercises will reinforce to learn the materials
covered in the lecture portion of the course while also developing problem
solving skills. Unless otherwise stated by the Instructor, all assignments are
expected to be an individual effort. Students are allowed to use their own
computer apart from university provided general purpose machines.
In-lab practice assignments:
At the beginning of each lab (unless
otherwise determined by the instructor) there will be one in-lab programming
assignment that needs to be done in the lab with the help of the lab
instructor. The assignments will be simple small problems that will be based on
previous class and lab lectures. This will help you to learn and understand the
concepts better. Students will have certain time limit to turn in the work in
blackboard depending on the difficulty level of the assignment. One or two lowest
grade will be dropped.
Bi-weekly assignments:
There will be programming assignments
that will be posted in blackboard bi-weekly. These assignments will be based on
two or three key concepts learned in previous classes and lectures and practice
assignments. The assignments need to be submitted via blackboard by posted
deadline and will be given sufficient time to complete depending on the
difficulty level. One lowest will be dropped.
Project:
The
class will have one final group project which will be an accumulation of most
of the core concepts learned during the semester. The students are encouraged
to choose their own project. You will be given sufficient time to work on it
but It's always a good idea to start
working early. The project will help students to devise real-life problems and
convert that into coding.
All the assignments MUST be submitted via blackboard by the posted
deadlines and considered as individual effort unless otherwise stated by the
instructor. If you have difficulty submitting
through blackboard contact the lab TA for. It is advised to not wait until last
second to turn in the work.
Miss policy:
You will have total of two late dates to
submit in-lab practice assignments and bi-weekly assignments. You can use it up
to two times during the semester and will not lose any points. Usually the
missed assignments need to be submitted within the next 24 hours. Suppose your
due is on Thursday 11:50 PM then to use the miss date without losing any point
you must submit by Friday 11:50 PM. You cannot submit late project since you
will have enough time to finish the work. If you miss exam for any conditions
include a documented medical excuse, a serious family emergency, or scheduled
university approved day off campus event, you must arrange exams with the
instructor in advance (if possible) or within 48 hours for any unforeseen
reason.
Tentative Grading
Breakdown:
|
Activity |
Percentages |
|
In-lab assignments
(ILA) |
10% |
|
Bi-weekly
assignments (BWA) |
20% |
|
Bi weekly quizzes
(Q) |
10% |
|
Project |
10% |
|
Mid term |
20% |
|
Final |
30% |
Letter Grade
Conversion System:
|
Percentage |
Grade |
|
>=
98.0 |
A+ |
|
>=
92.0 |
A |
|
>=
90.0 |
A- |
|
>=
88.0 |
B+ |
|
>=
82.0 |
B |
|
>=
80.0 |
B- |
|
>=
78.0 |
C+ |
|
>=
72.0 |
C |
|
>=
70.0 |
C- |
|
>=
60.0 |
D |
|
<60.0 |
F |
Honor code:
Honor System and Code of
GMU (http://oai.gmu.edu/the-mason-honor-code-2/). Any
violations of academic honesty (http://oai.gmu.edu/the-mason-honor-code-2/)
will be taken seriously.
Disability
Statement:
If a disability or other condition
affects your academic performance, document it with the Office of Disability
Services. Try to make arrangement early
to avoid any kind of problem during the semester and inform the instructor at
least one week earlier before the semester starts.