CSci 107: Introduction to Computer Science

Spring 2005

Mon, Wed 11:30 - 12:55 in Searles 126
Lab Tue 2:30 - 3:55 in Searles 128

This course provides a broad overview of computer science and an introduction to algorithmic thinking and programming. You will learn about some of the basic areas of computer science: algorithms (the foundation of computer science), how to design an algorithm and write a program to solve a problem on the computer, what goes on inside a computer, how your program is translated to a form the computer can "understand", models of computers (Turing machines), the limits of computability (can a computer solve anything?) and social issues caused by computers. Weekly labs provide experiments with concepts presented in class. Programming is done in C++.

This course is required for majors, but is a self-contained course designed to appeal to non-majors looking for a general introduction to computer science.

Prerequisites: None! No previous knowledge of computer science is required.

Instructor: Laura Toma
Office: 219 Searles Hall
Email: ltomaATbowdoin.edu (replace AT with @)

Office hours: Mon, Wed 4-5pm. Send me an email to set up a different time. For quick questions you can come to my office anytime.

Class Email: csci107AATbowdoin.edu (replace AT with @)

Class webpage: http://www.bowdoin.edu/~ltoma/teaching/cs107/spring05/
Bowdoin class webpage: http://academic.bowdoin.edu/courses/s05/csci107

Main topics:

• Designing algorithms.
• Analyzing the efficiency of algorithms.
• Implementing algorithms in C++.
• Turing machines and computability.
• How does a computer work? Logic, gates, circuits, designing logic circuits, machine organisation.
• Social issues of computer science.

Course textbook:

• S. Lawlor, The art of programming: Computer Science with C++, 1997, ISBN 053495135X (suggested).
• Schneider and Gersting, An Invitation to Computer Science, 3rd Edition, Brooks/Cole, 2004 (suggested).

Labs:
There will be 10 labs throughout the semester. Since there are no other assignments besides labs, the labs are not designed to be finished during lab time. Each lab assignment will be due on the following Tuesday before class (unless otherwise decided in class). Lab deadlines are hard deadlines. No extensions are possible except with Dean's excuse. You can access the Labs online from here.

Cheating policy:
You are encouraged to discuss ideas and techniques broadly with other class members, but not specifics of assigned problems except as part of group projects. Discussions should be limited to questions that can be asked and answered without using any written medium (e.g. pencil and paper or email). This means that at no time should a student read any code written by another student unless they are part of the same group. Sharing of code or intermediate designs is expressly prohibited. The same rules apply once you have finished the course - sharing your code with other students will be considered a violation of Bowdoin's honor code. Violation of this policy is grounds for me to initiate an action that would be filed with the Dean's office and would come before the J Board. If you have any questions about this policy, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me. This will be a zero-tolerance policy.

It is permissible to use software and materials available from other sources (understanding that you get no credit for using the work of others on those parts of your projects) as long as: 1) You acknowledge explicitly which aspects of your assignment were taken from other sources and what those sources are. 2) The materials are freely and legally available. 3) The material was not created by a student at Bowdoin as part of this course this year or in prior years.

All write-ups, reviews, documentation, and other written material must be original and may not be derived from other sources.

Final Project:
For the term project you can choose to design a basic webpage for a non-profit community organization (service learning project) or to do a presentation on a social topic of computer science. Guidelines are below:

• Service learning project (Designing a website for a local non-profit agency).
• Social and ethical issues of computer science (Class presentation)

Exams:
There are 3 scheduled exams: Febr 21, April 4 and May 18. All exams are open-book. If you cannot be present at either one of the exams you will need a Dean's excuse.

Grading policy

• Lab assignments 30%
• Final project: 10%
• Three exams 20% each
• Class participation
• Attendance

Course Outline