Syllabus for COS-111

INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to computer programming that aims to develop fundamental programming skills using Java as the teaching language. Topics include data types, control structures, arrays, object-oriented design, abstraction, encapsulation, algorithms, documentation, testing, and debugging.

COURSE TOPICS

Java programming
Conditionals, loops, and arrays
Modular programming with functions
Functions
Object-oriented programming
Algorithms and data structures

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO1 Write simple programs, incorporating best coding practices and in-program documentation.

CO2 Employ conditionals and loops.

CO3 Utilize arrays.

CO4 Process input(s) and output(s).

CO5 Create modular programs.

CO6 Implement functions.

CO7 Utilize object-oriented programming.

CO8 Use data structures.

CO9 Develop a basic competency in Java programming.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Sedgewick, R., & Wayne, K. (2017). Introduction to programming in Java: An interdisciplinary approach (2nd ed.). Addison-Wesley Professional.

ISBN-13: 978-0672337840

COURSE STRUCTURE

Introduction to Programming (COS-111) is a three-credit, online course consisting of seven modules.

Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Introductory Programs, Built-In Data Types, Conditionals, and Loops
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO2, CO9
Module 2: Arrays and Standard I/O
Course objectives covered in this module: CO3, CO4, CO9
Module 3: Functions and Modules
Course objectives covered in this module: CO5, CO6, CO9

Module 4: Object-Oriented Programming
Course objectives covered in this module: CO7, CO9
Module 5: Performance, Sorting, and Searching
Course objectives covered in this module: CO8, CO9
Module 6: Stacks and Queues
Course objectives covered in this module: CO8, CO9

Module 7: Symbol Tables and Graphs
Course objectives covered in this module: CO8, CO9

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take a proctored midterm examination, and complete a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Discussion Forums

You are required to participate in five graded discussion forums. Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. There is also an ungraded but required Introductions Forum in Module 1.

Programming Assignments

You are required to complete seven programming assignments. The programming assignments address topics associated with the course modules.

Midterm Examination

You are required to take a closed-book, proctored, online midterm examination. For the exam, you are required to use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course website) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.

The midterm exam is two hours long and consists of multiple-choice (one correct answer), multiple-selection (two correct answers), fill-in-the-blank, and short program-writing questions. The exam covers material from Modules 1 through 3 of the course.

For a list of key concepts that may appear on your midterm exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone else.
Plagiarizing answers.
Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the exam.
Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
Telling your mentor that you need another attempt at the exam because your connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

Final Project

The Final Project will be a combination of assigned programs and written questions that will demonstrate your comprehension of the materials presented in the course modules. In Part 2 of the Final Project, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work in a group. The questions will be in the form of programming code, which your group will evaluate to answer questions and/or to measure the performance of a program in terms of its running time.

The Final Project consists of two parts: a programming part (worth 75% of the Final Project’s grade); and a written part, submitted by a group (worth 25% of the Final Project’s grade).

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Discussion forums (5)—10%
Written assignments (7)—42%
Midterm Exam (proctored, Modules 1–3)—24%
Final Project—24%

Part 1: Programming (18%)
Part 2: Written Questions (Student Groups) (6%)

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	C+	=	78–79
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–77
B+	=	88–89	C–	=	70–72
B	=	83–87	D	=	60–69
B–	=	80–82	F	=	Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Arrange to take your examination(s) by following the instructions in this Syllabus and the Online Student Handbook.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: