CSCI 241 - Fall 2009

Instructor:	Ruth Lamprecht
	McGl 106
	rlampy AT cs DOT wm DOT edu
Lectures:	Blow Hall 331
	MWF 9:00 - 9:50
Textbook:	Objects, Abstraction, Data Structures, and Design Using Java
	Version 5.0, by Koffman and Wolfgang
Office Hours:	M 10:00 - 12:00
	R 13:00 - 15:00
Grader:	Bo Wu (bwu@cs.wm.edu)

This course covers several fundamental concepts of computer science, including data abstraction, data structures, and data representation. We will specifically cover lists, stacks, queues, binary trees, and hashing. We will also consider applications of these data structures. The implementation of abstract data structures using classes gives this course a significant programming component.

• Class Attendence/Participation
• Programming Assigments
• Homeworks
• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam

Some lectures will require an email response, others will have a 5 question quiz handout. For emails: within 4 hours of the end of class (by 2 pm), you must email me a 1-3 sentence summary of the day's lecture. Time allowances can be made due to a student's class schedule. They will be graded for 2 points per email, all or nothing. For quizzes: they will be handed out only in class and due the following class. They will be graded 5 points per quiz, 1 point for each correct answer. Answers must be written on the handout. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped.

A number of homeworks will be assigned covering topics discussed in lecture or from assigned reading. The homeworks are individual assignments. You will generally have between 1 and 2 weeks for homework, depending on the length of the assignment. The late penalty for homeworks will be 10% per day. The penalty becomes 100% after graded assignments have been returned.

There will be approximately six (6) programming projects assigned during the semester. These projects should be completed independently or in pairs. Students choosing to work in pairs MUST follow the rules for pair programming. It is acceptable to discuss general problems of the projects with other students, but you should not discuss specific details of your code or algorithms. You may use any sources distributed/used in class, but you should refrain from using other materials including other books, webpages, and sources. Follow the W&M Honor Code as well as this Honor Code. Programming assignments and homeworks will be collected using submit. The penalty for late project submission will be 10% per day. However, projects may not be submitted after graded projects have been returned to the class.

I will give each student 1 slip day to be used sometime during the semester on either a project or homework. The slip day can be used, no questions asked, to give an extra day to complete an assignment without the late penalty. You should inform me via email that you are using the slip day at the time of submission of the assignment. You should consider the slip day to be your 1 free extension for the semester.

Requests for regrades must be turned in no later than the next class after a homework or project is returned to the class. Regrades will normally be returned within a week of submission. Regrades must include the originally graded work, accompanied by a neatly written explanation describing which portion of the homework/project is to be regraded and why.

Warning: missed mistakes will also be regraded!

The midterm will be taken in class on Wednesday, October 21.

The final exam will be taken on Tuesday, December 15 from 9am to noon.

Both exams will be closed notes and book. A makeup will only be granted in seriously extenuating circumstances.

Grades will be determined by Homeworks (20%), Projects (20%), Class Participation (10%), Midterm (25%), and Final Exam (25%).

The final letter grade will be based on the following scale:

	A:	93 and above
	A-:	90-92
	B+:	87-89
	B:	83-86
	B-:	80-82
	C+:	77-79
	C:	73-76
	C-:	70-72
	D:	60-69
	F:	below 60

I reserve the right to lower these standards but not raise them in any case.

If you have a disability that may effect your participation in this course, and wish to discuss academic accomodations, please contact me as soon as possible.

Tentatively, the textbook will be covered in its entirety except as follows:

• Chapter 1
  • Section 1.7
• Chapter 3
  • Section 3.8
• Chapter 10
  • the entire chapter
• Chapter 12
  • Section 12.5
  • Section 12.6