Catalogue description. Fast-paced coverage of object-oriented programming using Java and the Java API, including packages for creating graphics and applets; Java syntax and control structures; arrays; designing objects, classes, and methods; graphical user interfaces; input streams; exception handling.

Prerequisites. Familiarity with programming: variables, control structures (conditionals, loops, functions), arrays. Commonly, this is obtained by successful completion of an introductory programming course in a high level programming language such as C, C++, or Python.
[CSC 1010, CSC 1030, ECE 1620, or equivalent.]

Course format. one-credit course. Lecture/Hands-on exercises or mini-projects during class; five programming projects; final assessment. This course covers similar material to CSC 1051,with some added topics (see unit 5, below), and at a much faster pace, assuming that students already know basic computing concepts. The course is hands-on and interactive, both in and out of the classroom (we will be using Piazza for online collaboration and discussion). We will use Blackboard only for submitting projects/checking grades.

Course outline. The course will cover five major units as detailed below. Each unit will incorporate several small projects and a more major project.

Unit 1: Introduction to Java programming environment, basic syntax and control structures; arrays.

Unit 2: Exploring classes from the Java API, including String, Math, Random, Graphics; more about data representation

Unit 3: Designing objects/classes/ methods

Unit 4: GUIs; components, containers, and windows; events and listeners

Unit 5: Exception handling; Input Streams

Labs 20%

In-class hands-on sets of programming exercises to help you hone your computing skills and get crucial practice to support you in getting started on the programming projects. You are encouraged to collaborate with your classmates for the lab assignments. The lab grade includes a participation component. This can take many forms, including participation in online discussions on Piazza.

The lab grade will be based on:

• regular attendance and active participation
  
• timely completion of the assigned lab work
  

Projects 60%

There will be six programming projects assigned throughout the semester designed to exercise various problem solving techniques and the use of certain programming language constructs. Projects will be similar to lab exercises, but are intended to be done outside class. It is acceptable to collaborate with other students on projects, but such collaboration must be documented and you must be able to explain the workings of any program(s) handed in for a project. Projects must be handed in on the due date to receive full credit or up to a maximum of one week late, with penalty 5% per day that the project is late. The only exceptions to the late penalties are as follows: (1) Every student is allowed 4 late days for the whole semester (these should be saved to be used in case of an emergency, think of them as your sick days); (2) Extensions will be granted in cases of extreme hardship documented by a note from the Dean's office. 

Final Examination 20%

How to have fun and get a good grade in this class

In one word - be present!  In order to enjoy learning about computer science and to get a good grade for the course, you need to understand the material well enough to do well in the written exams. So, use the labs and projects wisely: take your time, talk about the exercises with your classmates, ask "what if" questions and have some fun going deeper in investigating questions that interest you more. Be sure to seek help from the instructor or TAs if you are stuck or if you have an idea about something you'd like to do but don't know how to go about it. It is possible to get good grades in all the labs and projects, but to get a poor grade in this course if you do not achieve good understanding. This can happen if you are just going through the motions and trying to complete assignments as quickly as possible (just gettting it to work). So, here are some pointers:

• Be prepared - review past material, so you are ready to work on problems in class and make the most of it.
• Ask questions and participate in discussions on Piazza
• Take advantage of the helpdesk, office hours, and review sessions. The helpdesk and Dr P's office hours require no appointment, you can just show up! Or if you cannot make it during the posted hours, you can make an appointment at a time that suits you.
• Get to know your classmates - for most people it is more fun to solve problems together and you learn a lot by helping others.
• Lab exercises and projects are very important for the understanding of the material. Some of the exercises will be straightforward and they help you get practice with some technique, while others are meant to challenge you to find a solution that is not immediately obvious. Don't give up too easily! (but be sure to seek help if you are really stuck).
• If you are finding the projects too easy or too hard, be sure to talk with your instructor.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help, but don't let anyone just solve the problem for you. Just getting the answer may help get a better grade on one assignment, but it will not help you in the long run! Be aware that it is a lot easier to give someone the answer than to really help them arrive at it themselves... so: 1) defend yourself against easy answers that you are not even in a position to check for correctness; and 2) keep this in mind when you are helping others.
  
• If you fall behind for whatever reason (including poor planning) don't let embarassment keep you from doing something to remedy the situation. Be sure to seek help so you can get back on track.
  

Academic Integrity:

• Working together with other students can be a great way to learn, so it is much encouraged in this class: you are allowed to discuss your reading, practice exercises, and lab assignments, and projects with your peers and to collaborate on coming up with solutions. Even so, you should never simply copy or allow someone to copy your work. You must be able to explain in detail any work that you hand in for projects. Please document any significant help you received in completing the projects.
  
• Quizzes and exams are, of course, to be done individually.
  
• It is your responsibility to be familiar with the Academic Integrity policies of the department and the university.
  
• If you have any questions regarding what constitutes plagiarism in the context of this course, do not hesitate to discuss them with your professor.

Grades

Points will be mapped to letter grades as shown below. When you have a question about an assigned grade, please resolve the issue within one week of the return of the assignment or test.