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:

Section002

Section004

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.