Announcements

November 17

Quiz 3 will be held the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (12/2). You can find info. about the quiz and a set of review problems here.

Students in the B1 lecture will take the quiz in PHO 206 -- note the change from the first two quizzes. Students in the A1 lecture will be in the usual lecture hall (SCI 115).

October 23

Quiz 2 will be held next Friday. You can find info. about the quiz and a set of review problems here.

Students in the B1 lecture will once again take the quiz in KCB 101. Students in the A1 lecture will be in the usual lecture hall (SCI 115).

September 25

Quiz 1 will be held next Friday. You can find info. about the quiz and a set of review problems here.

For the B1 lecture only, Friday's quiz will be held in KCB 101, which will give you more room to spread out. For the A1 lecture, the quiz will be in the usual lecture hall (SCI 115).

Please make an effort to arrive on time or even a bit early, so that you can be sure to have the full 50 minutes for the quiz.

September 5

Problem Set 1 is now posted. Use the assignments link on the left-hand navigation bar.

September 2

Please complete Lab 0 ASAP.

In addition, please purchase the CS 111 coursepack at Fedex Office on Cummington Street. It contains all of the lecture notes for the semester, including ones that we will begin on Friday. The cost is approximately $26.

Welcome!

The first lectures will be held on September 2:

• section A1: 10-11 a.m. in SCI 115
• section B1: 12-1 p.m. in CAS 313

The key details of the course can be accessed using the links at left. For more information, consult the syllabus or contact Dr. Sullivan.

Please check this page regularly throughout the semester for announcements and course materials.

Course Information

Description

This first course in computer science develops basic skills in computer programming using the Java programming language. The course is suitable for mathematics and physical science majors, and others interested in a rigorous introduction. It is also the first course in the computer science concentration. The course will teach the process of developing algorithms to solve problems, and the corresponding process of developing computer programs to express those algorithms.

Prerequisites: none

Instructor

David G. Sullivan, Ph.D.
Lecturer on Computer Science
see the staff page for contact info. and office hours

Lectures:

section A1: MWF, 10-11, SCI 115

section B1: MWF, 12-1, CAS 313

Labs

section A2: Mon., 11-12

section A3: Mon., 1-2

section A4: Mon., 3-4

section B2: Tues., 12-1

section B3: Tues., 2-3

section B4: Tues., 3-4

All labs are in the CS teaching lab, EMA 304.

Requirements

• Ten problem sets
• Three quizzes
• Final exam
• Attendance at and participation in both lectures and labs

Policies

• Policy on collaboration and academic honesty
• Lateness policy: Homework must be submitted electronically using the gsubmit utility by the date and time listed on the assignment. There will be a 10% deduction for homework that is up to 24 hours late, and a 20% deduction for homework that is 24-48 hours late. We will not accept any homework that is more than 48 hours late. Plan your time carefully, and don't wait until the last minute to begin an assignment. Starting early will give you ample time to ask questions and obtain assistance from members of the course staff.
• Determining the final grade:
  • attendance and participation: 10%
  • problem sets: 40%
  • quizzes: 25%
  • final exam: 25%
• Extensions and makeup quizzes/exams will only be given in documented cases of serious illness or other emergencies.
• You cannot redo or complete extra work to improve your grade.
• Incompletes will not be given.

Textbook

Building Java Programs by Stuart Reges and Marty Stepp (Addison Wesley, 2008). We will be using a custom edition of this textbook (ISBN 0536880565) that includes just the material that we will cover in lecture. This "Boston University edition" -- which is less expensive than the standard edition -- is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble. Students may also use the standard edition of the textbook (ISBN 0321382838).