CIS 122 Algorithms and Programs/C++
Syllabus 09F

Instructor: Michael Hennessy
michaelh@cs.uoregon.edu, 145 Deschutes Hall, 346-3487.
Office Hours: See Blackboard.

What the Course is About

Computers are everywhere, on every desk, in your iPod, cell phone, and PDA. To live well in the 21st century, you need to know how to make computers do things. And to really make computers do what you want, you have to learn to program. --Chris Pine, Learn to Program.

Programming is just another name for the lost art of thinking. -- Aaron Hsu.

CIS 122 is an introduction to problem-solving and programming using C++ in a Unix environment.

No prior programming experience is required. CIS 122 is in the Science Group and meets the math/computing requirement for the B. Sci. degree (>4).

Learning algorithmic problem solving is what places this course in the science group (>3) and satisfies the B. Sci. math/computing requirement (>4). Read algorithms & programs to see why.

Students are not required to take it for a grade to satisfy these requirements (P/N is fine).

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will understand:

  1. The art of writing computer programs to solve problems and carry out tasks.
  2. The syntax and semantics of C++, a multi-paradigm programming language.
  3. How to use a rich set of development tools: SSH, SFTP, Unix, and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as Eclipse, Aquamacs Emacs, or MS Visual Studio.
  4. Computational Thinking (CT): How a programming language can be an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for controlling a computer. CT is a capability relevant to all academic disciplines and careers.
Students completing this course will be well prepared for further studies in Computer Science.

Course Text and Software

Textbook: Liang, Y. Daniel. Introduction to Programming with C++, 2ed. (Prentice Hall, custom edition for the UO). Write a codename in your textbook, as it is your book's free phone call home when it gets lost.

One copy is on 2-hr reserve at the Science Library. Software: Ch. 1 of Liang describes how to use several C++ IDE's (Integrated Development Environments) including Visual Studio C++ 2008 Express Edition for Windows PCs. VC++ is installed on the computers in the Klamath pc labs, but not elsewhere on campus.

You can work on your 122 projects at home by installing VC++ (Windows) or Aquamacs (OS X).

See the document Setting Up your Home Computer for 122.

Determining your Course Grade

Projects ........ 30%
Final Project ... 20%
Midterm ......... 25%
Final ........... 25%

Track your grade through the course by using this formula:

pct = 100 * (0.3 * YourProjPts/TtlProjPts + 0.2 * YourFPpts/FPpts + 0.5 * YourExamPts/TtlExamPts)

Store copies of all your projects on uoregon.edu until your final grade is completely resolved. This can make the difference between passing and failing the course.

Dates of the exams are on the class schedule; mark them on your calendar and set your alarms-- a missed exam is zero points. Required reading: Policy on Missed Exams.

122 Computer Lab, 026 Kla

122 labs start week 1 and meet in the PC-lab, 026 Klamath. VC++ is installed on the computers in the Klamath PC labs, but not in any other campus microlabs.

External entrances to Klamath are locked at 5:00 and on week-ends. To access 026 when the building is locked, enter the Science library at Onyx Bridge, and descend to the basement level.

026 Kla is open until 11:00 pm Mon - Fri, until 7 pm Sat, until 8 pm Sun.

Universal Learning Environment

Your instructor, your GTFs, the CIS department and the University of Oregon, are working together to create inclusive learning environments. Please notify me if there are aspects of instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your participation.

Students with a UO disability notification letter should please meet with me as early as possible. You may also wish to contact Disability Services in 164 Oregon Hall at 346-1155. For information about Support and Services for Students with Disabilities, see the Disability Services web page.

Handling Flu Season

Students with severe respiratory or flu-like illness must avoid attending class until they are without fever for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.

Students with absences related to severe respiratory or flu-like illness will be given the opportunity to make up their assignments and class content without penalty.

Note that ordinarily this requires a medical excuse obtained from the Health Center. However, due to increased incidence of infection rates, the Health Center does not have the resources to provide medical excuses for students seeking them.

This is how we will handle absences without documentation from the Health Center: You must notify your instructor, in advance, when absent due to influenza.

To be prepared, please anticipate absences and assure you have access to the Internet and Blackboard.

Stay home if you have severe respiratory or flu-like illness. Call your health care provider if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms && you have an underlying health condition which increases your risk of complications || if you become concerned about your condition. Seek care immediately if you develop warning signs of more severe infection.

iClickers: XC for eXCellence (eXtra Credit)

(The following iClicker options are not a required part of your grade. There is no penalty whatsoever for not having an iClicker.)

3% XC towards your final grade will be weighted by the total percentages you earn on iClicker surveys. The grade of A indicates Excellence in academic performance. iClickers will be used to assess Excellence (and assign XC) in the following ways:

  1. On-the-Fly Surveys. iClickers will be used for on-the-fly surveys to assess concept understanding; these surveys will potentially improve the course and make it more interactive. To earn this extra credit you must participate in at least 90% of the surveys, but you do not have to provide the correct answer. (Rationale: regular attendance correlates with higher academic performance. A high rate of attendance, therefore, will be acknowledged by XC for eXCellence.)

  2. Preparation surveys. A class may begin with a preparation survey, i.e., a few questions covering the readings assigned for the day. To earn this extra credit you must participate participate in at least 90% of the surveys and answer correctly at least 80% of the questions. (Rationale: Being prepared for what will be covered in class (by doing the required readings and projects) correlates with higher academic performance. A high rate of preparation, therefore, will be acknowledged by XC for eXCellence.)

Purchasing an iClicker

iClickers are available at the UO Bookstore at all registers in the Textbooks section (2nd floor).

New: $32 ($16 buy-back). Used: $24 ($16 buy-back).

iClickers are designed with accessibility features for students with disabilities. Please notify me if there are aspects of iClicker-based instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your participation.

Things All 122 Students Must Know