Parkland College
2400 West Bradley Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61821
Csc 123 - Computer Science I, Programming in Java
Syllabus
Fall 2006

Class and Lab Schedule

Section 001: Monday and Wednesday,  10:00 AM to 12:20 P.M., Room D 208
 

Prerequisites

MAT 108 or MAT 124.  CIS 122 or equivalent programming experience strongly recommended.

Purpose

This course is the first course of the core sequence in Parkland's Computer Science transfer program.  It introduces a disciplined approach to problem-solving and algorithm development, including data abstraction and program design.  It covers the following topics:   simple program creation, testing, and documentation using good programming style;   data types;   expressions;   sequence, selection, and repetition control structures;   using objects and methods (functions);      writing methods;   arrays;   and files.  It uses the Java programming language as its high-level, object-oriented language.   However, it only teaches the basics of Java.  The emphasis is on programming constructs and object-oriented language theory, and not on Java itself.

 

Structure

Lectures, readings, graded projects and tests. The lectures and readings will cover theory.  The projects will vary in difficulty and will require Java programming solutions using good object oriented design using the Sun's standard Java Library.   The tests will assure mastery of specific knowledge and skills covered in the lectures, labs, and readings.
 

Texts

Required: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java, 4th Edition, by C. Thomas Wu, ISBN 0-07-294652-0


Storage (Flash Drives are best)

You should have a USB Flash Drive for use during class, although it can be very small capacity by today's standards (1 or 2 Megabytes).  You can also use a Zip disk or a number of 3.5" diskettes for use with this class, but they are not recommended, because they are less dependable.  Store all of your code files on your own disk.  In the (rare!) case you forget your disk, you can use C:\temp on your classroom's computer's hard drive, but do not use C:\temp regularly.  Be sure to fully label all your removable storage with your name and contact information so the they can be returned to you easily if lost.

Backup of work

Remember that whenever you work with a computer, it is possible to lose all your current work at any time.  There are many different ways to lose your work, including power outages, disk crashes, poor naming and documentation strategies, and forgetfulness.  You always must have back ups of all your work.  How you do that depends on your computer systems.  At the minimum, you should always keep copies of your files on a second dependable disk, either a home hard drive, flash drive, or burned CD.  Keeping three copies in different places is preferable.

Programming Language

You will program using standard Java from Sun Microsystems.   Java is free from Sun.  We will use the freeware JCreator as our programming environment (that is, a program that allows you to write, compile, and run Java programs easily).  We will also use command line Java, which is the most basic way to program in Java and is usable in the Microsoft DOS Command Line and Unix.  For more about Java and JCreator see The Java Programming Language.  You will be given a disk called Java Burn 2006 which will contain both Java and JCreator.  Since both are freeware, you can install them and use them on your home computers, and keep them after the end of the course if you want.  You may work at home or work at Parkland.  JCreator and Java are installed on most of the Computer Science and Information Technology Departments Labs.  See the Open Lab Schedule for rooms and times. 

Course Content and Requirements

 

Class Attendance and Grading Policies

 

Parkland Core Values, Plagiarism, and Disruptive Behavior

 

Resources for Students

 

Withdrawal and Incomplete Grade Procedures

 

Important Academic Administrative Dates

 

  Scott Badman   Office: B132   Phone:  353-2250   sbadman@parkland.edu  

Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821