Course Information
- Instructor: Dr. Aaron Garrett (garrettal@wofford.edu)
- Class Meeting (MSBVC 111): MWF 11:30a-12:20p (Section B)
- Office Hours (Zoom): MW 2:00p-3:00p; or by appointment
- Textbook: Using Python 3 to Solve Problems Using a Computer by David Sykes and David Toth
- Required Software Mimir Classroom (available in bookstore)
- Final Exam: 11 Dec 2020 from 2:00p-5:00p
- Online Videos: There are plenty of video tutorials online. Here is just one example.
Catalog Description
Students learn to develop programs using an object-oriented language. Students are introduced to problem solving and algorithm development with emphasis on good programming style. Completion of this course with a C or higher is a prerequisite for all 300- and 400- level courses in Computer Science.
Goals
- Understand the Python syntax and semantics.
- Develop strong problem-solving capabilities.
- Gain skill in translating a problem statement into an algorithm.
- Understand the basic computing principles that underlie programs.
- Create programs that are readable and maintainable.
Grades
Your grade in the course will be based on a combination of assignments, projects, and exams.
- Assignments
- Assignments are short exercises that reinforce the core concepts.
- Projects
- Projects are more complex problems that require a combination of concepts.
- Exams
- Exams are comprehensive, timed assessments of conceptual understanding.
- Labs/Hands-on
- Labs/Hands-on exercises are ungraded (but recommended) practice with the course material.
| Artifact | Points |
|---|---|
| Assignments (~10) | 300 |
| Projects (~3) | 300 |
| Midterm Exam | 200 |
| Final Exam | 200 |
| Total | 1000 |
An alternative grading scheme is available for those who would benefit from it. Under the alternative scheme, only the final exam counts toward the final score (at 5x points). Note that the final exam is comprehensive and very applied. Success on it requires that students have practiced throughout the term, and completing the assignments and projects are the best way to practice. Students do not choose the standard or alternative grading scheme; instead, points will be calculated both ways, and the higher final point total will be used to determine the grade at the end of the term.
The usual grading scale will be applied to the accumulated percentage: 93–100: A, 90–92: A-, 87–89: B+, 83–86: B, 80–82: B-, 77–79: C+, 73–76: C, 70–72: C-, 60–69: D, 0–59: F.
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend class meetings and come to class prepared. That includes having completed assigned readings, problem sets, and tutorials.
You are expected to dedicate your attention to what is going on in class and to participate fully in classroom activities, including discussions. No laptops or tablets are to be used in class unless being used for a classroom exercise. (Notes may be taken using a device if needed as an approved accommodation.)
Refer to the General Policy Regarding Attendance in the Wofford College Student Handbook. The policy makes you responsible for catching up on missed classes. If you must be absent for class, please email me in advance to let me know.
Make-up exams are not available. If you have a legitimate, excused absence during the midterm exam, then you must make it up during the final exam period.
Assignment Deadlines
Late assignments will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse. All assignments are expected to be submitted by 11:55p ET on the posted deadline.
Academic Integrity
The Honor Code requires faculty, staff, and students to maintain a high standard of individual honor and integrity. While I may specify some assignments as collaborative, work represented as your own must be your own. If you have any doubt about what is appropriate for a given assignment, you should contact me for clarification.
Accommodations
If you have a disability that requires assistance or accommodation, or if you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please contact Dean Beth Wallace by telephone at (864) 597-4371 or in person by visiting the Hugh R. Black Infirmary. You must arrange accommodations during the first week of classes.
Tentative Schedule
Generally, projects are due on Wednesdays, and assignments are due on Fridays.
| Meeting | Topics | In-class | Lab | Graded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31 | print, variables, data types, input | L01 | ||
| Sep 2 | comments, conversion, arithmetic | H01 | L02 | |
| Sep 4 | booleans, conditionals, truth tables | Q01 | L03 | |
| Sep 7 | iteration, accumulators | H02 | L04 | |
| Sep 9 | conditional iteration, nested loops | H03 | L05 | |
| Sep 11 | functions, parameters, returns | Q02 | L06 | A01 |
| Sep 14 | function practice, lists, pseudorandom numbers | H04 | L07 | |
| Sep 16 | H05 | |||
| Sep 18 | string manipulation | Q03 | L08 | A02 |
| Sep 21 | file input/output | H06 | L09 | |
| Sep 23 | tuples, list functions, list comprehensions | H07 | L10 | |
| Sep 25 | sorting | Q04 | L11 | A03 |
| Sep 28 | dictionaries | H08 | L12 | |
| Sep 30 | tabular data | H09 | L13 | |
| Oct 2 | numeric bases, unicode | Q05 | L14 | A04 |
| Oct 5 | rock paper scissors | H10 | L15 | |
| Oct 7 | P01 | |||
| Oct 9 | Midterm Review | A05 | ||
| Oct 12 | Midterm Exam | |||
| Oct 14 | Midterm Exam | |||
| Oct 16 | Midterm Recap | |||
| Oct 19 | two-dimensional data | H11 | L16 | |
| Oct 21 | digital images | H12 | L17 | |
| Oct 23 | TBD | Q06 | L18 | |
| Oct 26 | recursion | H13 | L19 | |
| Oct 28 | recursion | H14 | L20 | |
| Oct 30 | recursion | Q07 | L21 | A06 |
| Nov 2 | turtle graphics | H15 | L22 | |
| Nov 4 | H16 | P02 | ||
| Nov 6 | GUIs | Q08 | L23 | A07 |
| Nov 9 | searching | H17 | L24 | |
| Nov 11 | sorting | H18 | L25 | |
| Nov 13 | sorting | Q09 | L26 | A08 |
| Nov 16 | classes | H19 | L27 | |
| Nov 18 | classes | H20 | L28 | |
| Nov 20 | classes | Q10 | L29 | A09 |
| Nov 30 | ||||
| Dec 2 | P03 | |||
| Dec 4 | Final Review | A10 | ||
| Dec 11 | Final Exam |
Note: This syllabus is subject to change with notice.