Term and Year of offering: Winter 2016
Course Number and Title: MSCI 121 Introduction to Computer Programming
Instructor’s Name: Parmit Chilana
Course Description: See description in the Undergraduate Calendar
An
introduction
to
computer
programming
using
a
high
level
programming
language.
Concepts
and
topics
covered
include
the
basic
components
of
algorithms
(primitive
operations,
variables,
sequencing
operations,
conditionals/branching,
repetition/loops,
and
subroutines/functions),
problem
decomposition,
abstraction,
testing
and
debugging,
pseudo-code,
file
based
input
and
output,
use
of
a
modern
development
environment,
good
coding
style,
pointers/references,
and
basic
data
structures
(arrays,
records/structs,
objects).
Course objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Understand how to break problems up into manageable sizes and create a Java program which implements the solution.
- Express algorithms in pseudo-code and be able to trace the execution of computer code by hand.
- Write robust, user friendly, good computer programs using the fundamentals of the Java language.
- Write computer programs with good style.
- Debug computer programs.
- Have a basic understanding of object oriented programming using Java.
- Understand at a high level how computers work, e.g. binary representation and overall organization.
- Use the command prompt for running programs and collecting program output.
- Use an integrated development environment.
- Use a mix of software development styles: e.g. top-down, bottom-up, and iterative.
- Organize their time to complete assignments on time.
- Freely ask questions.
- Be prepared to take MSCI 240.
Required Readings, Materials and Texts:
Textbook
Building Java Programs: A Back to Basics Approach (3rd Edition) by Stuart Reges, Marty Stepp, 2014. This book is available from the University Bookstore and through University library’s course reserves.
Clicker
You are required to have a clicker and bring it to all lectures and tutorials. You can purchase a clicker from the bookstore.
This is a basic course description made available for public reference only. The Undergraduate Calendar is always the official source for all course descriptions. Course Syllabi will be distributed by the instructor in class. For additional details not found here, please contact the listed instructor.