CISC 1600: Computer Science I
CISC 1610: Computer Science I Laboratory

General information

Faculty: Dr. A. G. Werschulz

• Office: Rm 815D.
• Phone: (212) 636-6325

Class meetings:

• CISC 1600: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., in Room 526.
• CISC 1610: Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m., in Room 812 (occasionally in Room 904).

Office hours:

• Mondays: 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Thursdays: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Class email list: cs1@dsm.fordham.edu. This can be used for both announcements and discussion.

Text and Readings

• The text for this course is:
  Bjarne Stroustrup, Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++, Addison-Wesley, 2009. The author has a website for this text.
• In addition, we will spend some time learning about programming on the Departmental machines. There are numerous online resources that can help you in this regard:
  • There is an online introduction on using the Linux computer systems at Lincoln Center that belong to the Computer and Information Sciences Department.
  • Our departmental machines run Linux, which is a free Unix-like operating system. Many websites have material on Unix and Linux. I have collected a sample of same. You should especially look at the material for beginners.
  • We strongly encourage you to use the emacs editor.

Grading

You will receive the same grade for both components of the course (CISC 1600 and CISC 1610). This grade will be determined as follows:

• programming assignments: 40%, each graded according to the following standards:
  
  

  Documentation (pseudocode and comments)	20%
  Correctness of algorithm	20%
  Correctness of program	20%
  Overall style of program	20%
  Quality of output	20%

  
  
• one midterm exam: 25%
• one final exam: 25%
• class attendance: 10%

Protocol

• Examinations: There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. The midterm will be on Thursday, October 15, during the usual class period for CISC 1600. As per the Course Information Booklet, the final examination will be on Thursday, December 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Homeworks: Programming assignments (as announced in class). I hope to assign one program for each chapter we cover in class. In addition to handing out the assignments in class, I will also post them on the class website. The earlier programs (being simple) will be due at the next class session; the due dates for the later ones will depend on their complexity.
• Attendance: Attendance for this course is mandatory. You will be granted up to four absences from the class lectures. You must inform be by email in advance for a non-emergency absence.

Additional Remarks

• This class consists of two components:
  • CISC 1600 (Computer Science I) will be a lecture course, which will be an introduction to computer programming using the C++ language.
  • CISC 1610 (Computer Science I Lab) will be a laboratory class, in which you will learn how to use our Departmental computer systems, as well as work on specific programming assignments; as conditions warrant, we may actually cover lecture material in CISC 1600.
  These courses are corequisite to each other; if you are registered for either of these courses, you must be registered for both of them. Since these courses are so tightly intertwined, you will receive the same grade in both courses.
• You should read the following documents:
  • Mission statement (what this course is about)
  • Cheating policy
  • Makeup exam policy
• You are encouraged to download class notes from this website.
• You may examine the example programs contained in the text. This directory is organinized alphabetically, by the name of the program. Feel free to download them, compile them, and run them; however, when you're done, you should delete your copies them, to save space.
• If you believe that you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. If so, please schedule an appointment to speak with me immediately or you may go to the Office of Disability Services (LL207, x6282). Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal access to the programs and activities of Fordham University.