Section 2, CPSC 102: 9:05 - 9:55 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Daniel 303

Prerequisite: C or better in CPSC 101

Textbook:

Data Structures & Other Objects Using Java, Second Edition by Michael Main (ISBN 0-201-74093-1)

This course is a continuation of CPSC 101 and is intended only for students who have successfully completed CPSC 101 (i.e., with a C or better). Topics include algorithm development, use of alternation and iteration, arrays, recursion, classes and object oriented design, linked lists, binary trees, and algorithmic complexity. CP SC 102 is a very demanding class. You will need to attend class regularly, read the text books, and work exercises in the textbook.

A looseleaf notebook should be kept with contents grouped as follows: This notebook may NOT contain copies of pages from the text (Making copies of the text is copyright violation and is thus illegal.).

Laboratory Grade:

The laboratory grade will be determined by your laboratory instructor and will count 10% of the final grade. You must be enrolled in L102 and lab attendance is mandatory. A passing grade (i.e., >= 60) in laboratory is required to pass the course.

Individual Programming Assignments:

Individual Programming Assignments will be made at class meetings and will count 20% of the final grade. A grade of at least 50% must be earned in the individual programming assignments to pass the course.

Short quizzes and class work:

Short quizzes and class work will be given (almost) every class meeting. These will usually be at the beginning of the class period. If you are late and do not turn in a quiz, you need to give the instructor a sheet of paper with your name clearly printed and the date. This must be done before leaving class on the day you are late.

If N is the number of such quizzes and class work, the number of such grades computed in the average will be ceiling(0.8N). No makeups of these quizzes/class work will be given for any reason. Since only the best eight out of ten grades will be counted, there is an allowance for absences (excused and unexcused). Short quiz/class work grade will be 15% of the final grade. Some grades may result from work in small groups. In the case of group work, one paper will be handed in for each group.

Writing Assignment.

A formal paper on electronic voting will count 10% of the final grade.

Hour Quizzes:

Hour Quizzes will be given Friday, February 13, and Friday, March 26. Please send email to the instructor (ehare@clemson.edu) this week if either hour quiz is going to be a problem for you.

No makeups of hour quizzes will be given for any reason. If an absence from an Hour Quiz is excused, the final exam will count an additional percentage to replace the missed quiz. If you know in advance that you will miss an Hour Quiz, the instructor will attempt to allow you to take the quiz before the regularly scheduled date. The first Hour Quiz will count 10% of the final grade and the second 15%, making the hour quizzes contribute 25% to the computation of the final grade.

Final Exam:

The final exam will be cumulative and a grade of at least 50 on the final exam is required in order to pass the course. The Final Exam will be cumulative and will count 20% of the final grade. Exams and quizzes may consist of a closed notes/book and an open notes/book section.

Attendance Policy:

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. The number of unexcused hours of absence for the lecture component of this class may not exceed three (3). In order that an absence be designated as "excused" you must discuss the absence with the instructor within one week after returning to class and the instructor must agree that the absence is "excused".

Each unexcused absence beyond 3 will deduct 4 points from the final average grade earned in the course. For example, if a student has four unexcused absences and computation of the final grade produces a grade of 72, the final grade will be 68. (Hint: get two alarm clocks and be sure you have a way to get to class even if your car won't start.)

If you have exceeded the maximum number of allowed absences before the last day to drop, you may be dropped from the course.

Mastery Topics:

There are some topics in this course that are so important to your understanding of future courses that failure to understand these topics will present major problems. These topics are: Mechanism for testing mastery: At least three opportunities will be given to demonstrate mastery of each ability. If possible, at least one of these opportunities for each ability will appear on an hour quiz. At least one of these opportunities for each ability will appear on a short (daily) unannounced quiz. The third opportunity to demonstrate mastery may appear on a short quiz, on a second hour quiz, or on the final exam. Such opportunities will be clearly labeled "Mastery". Failure to achieve "Mastery" at the 90% level on any of these three areas will result in a grade for the course no higher than 'D'.

Statement on the Trial Period for Plus/Minus Grading

Clemson University is committed to all aspects of academic excellence, including the exploration of possible improvements to grading policies. Accordingly, beginning with the 2002-2003 academic year, a trial period for the plus/minus grading system will be in effect for two years. Although the trial will be ongoing, only non- plus/minus grades will be used to calculate GPRs. There will be no effect on transcripts or grade reports, and the data will be used solely for research purposes. If at the end of the trial period the plus/minus system is implemented, its implementation will affect all current students at once; i.e., the change will be announced in the Undergraduate Announcements for the year in which it is to take effect. This should ensure that a smooth transition is made. For more information on this grading system, please see the Registrar's web site at www.registrar.clemson.edu.

Grading Scale:

     A+       96.6 <= grade 
     A        93.3 <= grade < 96.6
     A-       90.0 <= grade < 93.3
     B+       86.6 <= grade < 90.0
     B        83.3 <= grade < 86.6
     B-       80.0 <= grade < 83.3
     C+       76.6 <= grade < 80.0
     C        73.3 <= grade < 76.6
     C-       70.0 <= grade < 73.3
     D+       66.6 <= grade < 70.0
     D        60.0 <= grade < 66.6
     F        grade < 60.0
Academic Redeption Polity: In spring semester 2004, the academic redemption policy will permit undergraduate students to retake up to 9 credits in which a grade of D or F was previously earned and use only the new grade in computing their cumulative grade-point ratio (GPR). But only if certain conditions are met. The policy is in the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Announcements on page 26 and on the web at http://www.registrar.clemson.edu/html/refhndbk.htm#ARP . Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the academic redemption policy are on the web at http://www.registrar.clemson.edu/html/ARP.htm.

Instructor:

Eleanor Hare

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

The Clemson University official Statement on Academic Integrity states "As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson's vision of this institution as a high seminary of learning. Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form."

The Clemson University Computer Science Department Academic Honesty Policy can be found at
http://www.cs.clemson.edu/html/academics/honest_policy.shtml. If you have any questions as to what I consider honest, please ask!

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