COMP 1210
Fundamentals of Computing I
Spring 2012

Lecture - all sections (10:00am-10:50am MW), Shelby 1103
Lab Section 001 (12:00pm-01:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
Lab Section 002 (01:30pm-02:45pm MW), Shelby 2122
Lab Section 003 (03:00pm-04:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
Lab Section 004 (04:30pm-05:45pm MW), Shelby 2122
Lab Section 005 (06:00pm-07:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
Lab Section 006 (07:30pm-08:45pm MW), Shelby 2122

Announcements (most recent first)
Mon 6 Feb 2012 Mon 30 Jan 2012 Mon 23 Jan 2012 Tue 17 Jan 2012 Mon 9 Jan 2012
Course Staff
 Professor: Dr. J. Cross
Office: 3127D Shelby Center
Phone: 844-6315
Email: crossjh@auburn.edu
Web Page: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~cross/comp1210
Office Hrs: 3:00pm-4:30pm TR or by appointment
If you plan to see me during office hours, please send me email or let me know before or after class. No office hours will be held during finals week.
Assistant:



Chunyu Liu (Patty) (czl0033@auburn.edu )
Lab Coordination and Attendance
Office Hours: by appointment, Shelby 3137
1210-001 (12:00pm-01:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
Assistant:



William Clark (wbc0005@auburn.edu)
Office Hours: by appointment, Shelby 3137 or 3139A (inside 3139)
Lab Co-Cordination for Web-CAT Tests and Help Sessions
1210-002 (01:30pm-02:45pm MW), Shelby 2122
Assistant:



Jiao Yu (jzy0012@auburn.edu )
Office Hours: by appointment, Shelby 3137 or 2307
1210-003 (03:00pm-04:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
1210-004 (04:30pm-05:45pm MW), Shelby 2122
Assistant:



Vishal Chapalamadugu (szc0025@auburn.edu)
Office Hours: by appointment, Shelby 3137
1210-005 (06:00pm-07:15pm MW), Shelby 2122
1210-006 (07:30pm-08:45pm MW), Shelby 2122

Overview
Course Description
COMP 1210 is designed to introduce fundamentals of the computing as well as certain aspects of software engineering which will enable you to construct logical, readable, and reasonably efficient programs. An object-oriented approach to problem solving and program design will be emphasized in the lecture and reinforced in the lab.

Course Meetings
COMP 1210 has two types of meetings: lecture (Mon/Wed 10:a.m.) and lab (Mon/Wed afternoon/evening per schedule above). A tutoring session is available on Fri 10:00-11:30 a.m.in the lab as well as on Thu evening. The class is divided into multiple sections that meet together for lecture and separately for lab. Students are expected to attend all meetings of lecture and their assigned lab. The lab is conducted by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs).

Course Outline/Schedule
A "tentative" course outline follows. Note, each chapter concludes with one or more sections on graphics which we may or may not cover. All exams are comprehensive over the material covered to date, although Exams 1 and 2 will focus on the chapters indicated. The final exam is comprehensive in the traditional sense.

Topic Reading from Text
Introduction Chapter 1
Data and Expressions Chapter 2
Using Classes and Objects Chapter 3
Writing Classes Chapter 4
Exam 1
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Conditionals and Loops Chapter 5
More Conditionals and Loops Chapter 6
Arrays Chapter 8
Object-Oriented Design Chapter 7
Exam 2
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Inheritance Chapter 9
Polymorphism Chapter 10
Exceptions Chapter 11
Final Exam - Comprehensive
Thursday, May 3, 2012
(8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)

Course Materials

  • Textbook (required) - Java Software Solutions (7th ed. 2012) by John Lewis and William Loftus, published by Addison-Wesley.

  • Lecture Notes - Each ZIP file contains lecture notes (PDF), example programs, and review questions. I recommend that you save the ZIP file in a folder called "Lecture_Notes" and then unzip it by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Extract All". I recommend the "2 per page" PDF for printing. Note that the PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  • Example Programs from the text - I recommend that you save the ZIP file in a folder called "Examples_from_Text" and then unzip it (right-click then "Extract All").

  • Engineering Account - In addition to your AU computer account, you will need an engineering account in order to access the computers in the Shelby 2122 lab. These accounts are generated automatically from course rolls. However, you may need to "sync" your password by going to the OIT My Account page. After you login, click Update Password; enter your password; be sure "Sync with TigerMail Live Services" is selected and then click Update.

  • jGRASP and Java - The jGRASP integrated development environment (IDE) and the Java 2 (J2SE) Development Kit (JDK) will be used in lab. The current versions for these are jGRASP 1.8.8_15 and Java SE JDK 7u2. If you want to work on the lab assignments and run the examples on your own computer, you'll need to install Java (JDK) and jGRASP. See the links and instructions below.

    Oracle Java Site (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html)
    Be sure to download JDK 7u2 (or later) that DOES NOT include NetBeans nor JavaFX. After you have downloaded the install file, double-click on the file in your file browser (e.g., My Documents) to begin the installation process. Note that once you begin the Java installation, it may take up to 15 minutes depending on the speed of your machine. J2SE Documentation is also available at this site.

    Note for MAC Users - Apple supplies their own version of Java. Use the Software Update feature (available on the Apple menu) to check that you have the most up-to-date version of Java for your Mac.

    jGRASP (http://www.jgrasp.org) Click the "Download" link, then select the appropriate installation file for your operating system from the list below.
          Windows - jGRASP exe
          Mac OS X - jGRASP pkg.tar.gz
          Linux - jGRASP zip
    After you have downloaded the install file, double-click on the file in your file browser (e.g., My Documents) to begin the installation process. Installing jGRASP should take less than 30 seconds.

    NOTES:
    (1) Since jGRASP is written in Java, you should install the JDK prior to running jGRASP. The JDK includes the Java compiler (javac) as well as a copy of the JRE, so be sure to install the full JDK rather than only the JRE.
    (2) If you are updating from a previous version of jGRASP, just install the new version right on top of the previous one (i.e., no need to uninstall the old version). If you need additional information, please refer to jGRASP Tutorial 1 Installing jGRASP for step by step instructions.
    (3) To run jGRASP efficiently, your PC should be at least Pentium class 500MHz with 128MB. If you have less than this, you should use the PCs in Shelby 2122 (where your lab section meets), Shelby 2119, Shelby 1202, Shelby 2210, or Broun 123.

  • jGRASP Introductory Videos

    1. Getting Started
    2. Getting Started with Interactions

  • The jGRASP Tutorials - On the links below, left click to open or right click to save (Save Link As...). Note, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open this PDF file.

    1. Installing jGRASP
    2. Getting Started    
    3. Getting Started with Objects (a.k.a. Objects First)
    4. Interactions
    5. Control Structure Diagram (CSD)
    6. The Integrated Debugger
    7. Projects
    8. UML Class Diagrams
    9. The Workbench
    10. Viewers for Data Structures

  • Checkstyle and JUnit - Checkstyle is a commonly used to check programs for comments and proper formatting, and JUnit is a framework testing programs. Both of these are installed in the lab, and we'll be using them in conjunction with grading. If you want to install JUnit and Checkstyle on your personal computer, you'll need to download the ZIP files and unzip them in your "Program Files" folder. We'll talk more about these as the semester progresses.
    1. Checkstyle - download the ZIP file.
    2. JUnit - Download the ZIP file.

Course Grading

Your grades and attendance for the course will be posted on Blackboard. Your overall course grade will be determined by your performance on three exams (two midterms plus a final, all comprehensive) and lab assignments, which include activites, quizzes, and projects. You may also receive bonus points or penalty points for attendance.

The these items will be weighted as follows:

  • 15% Exam 1
  • 15% Exam 2
  • 30% Final Exam
  •   5% Lab Activites (in-lab)
  • 10% Lab Quizzes
  • 25% Lab Projects
  • Attendance Bonus/Penalty Points:   from 2 bonus points to 24 penalty points will be added or subtracted from the final average computed above. See ATTENDANCE POLICY below.
Letter grades for the course will be assigned based on the standard 10%-point scale. For example, a student making 75 on the first midterm, 85 on the second midterm, 90 on the final, and a 93 average on the labs assignments and quizzes, will have 75 * 0.15 + 85 * 0.15 + 90 * 0.30 + 93 * 0.40 = 88.20 for the course average. If the student earns the 2 bonus points for attendance, the final course grade will be 88.20 + 2 = 90.20, and thus will be assigned the letter grade A for the course.

Any changes to the dates for Exams 1 and 2 will be announced at least one week in advance. The final exam will be given at the time indicated by the University final exam schedule. Appeals for exam re-grading must be made in writing to me no later than one week after the exam is returned to you. In the appeal, you must describe (a) exactly what portion you wish to be re-graded and (b) the reasons you are requesting the re-grading in a clear, concise manner. Only typewritten or laser printed appeals will be accepted: no handwriting.

Help Sessions

"Help Sessions" for COMP1210 are available through each to the following:

If you find yourself having difficulty with COMP1210, I encourage you to consider the help sessions listed above.

Course Policies
  • ATTENDANCE POLICY: It is important for you to attend all class meetings. Information given during class meetings is vital to earning a passing grade. You are responsible for all material presented in lecture and in lab whether you are present or not. Graded materials will be returned only in person. If you are excessively late to an exam, I reserve the right to count you absent from the exam. If you miss an exam, you will only be allowed to make up an exam per the "MAKE UP WORK" policy below.

    Bonus/Penalty Points for Attendance: In an effort to encourage you to attend class and be on time, you have an opportunity to earn bonus (as well as penalty) points. The bonus points are also intended to help you get to the next higher letter grade if your course average is on the border. If you want to opt out of the attendance policy, you must let me know via email by the end of the first week of class. I will reply with a copy to the attendance GTA to acknowledge that you have opted out. Otherwise, you need to be in your a seat of choice by the beginning of the second week of class. The attendance GTA will take attendance using a sign-in sheet for each row usually during the first few minutes of each class. In order to be marked present, you must sign the sheet and remain in class. It is your responsibility to contact the attendance GTA within a week of any excused absence or tardy. You may be absent or tardy for up to two classes with no loss of bonus points. Each additional absence or tardy reduces your bonus points by one. With four absences or tardies you will receive no bonus points. For each unexcused absence or tardy beyond four, you will accrue one penalty point. Bonus points will be added to (or penalty points will be deducted from) your course average to arrive at your final course grade. If you have a valid AU excuse for an absence, you must provide the attendance GTA with a copy of your excuse on the day you return to class OR prior to missing class if you know you are going to be absent (e.g., to attend AU sponsored event).

  • MAKE UP WORK: Work missed during the semester will assigned a grade of zero points. Make up work will be given only for legitimate reasons with appropriate written verification (see the Tiger Cub). It is always your responsibility to initiate arrangements to make up missed work. If you know you may miss an exam, you should let me know before the exam. However, in any case if you intend to make up an exam, you must make up the exam you missed before I return graded exams to students (which is usually within one week of the exam).
  • GRADED MATERIAL: You are required to keep on file all graded materials in case there is any question about your course grade.
  • CHEATING: You will be held responsible for adherence to the Academic Honesty policies described in the Student Academic Honesty Code.
  • AUDITORS: According to the policy in the University Bulletin, students who are officially registered as auditors of this course and "attend rarely or not at all will have non-attendance of the course indicated on their records." It is your responsibility to check in with me at the beginning of the quarter so that I can learn to recognize you and give you credit for attending. It is the policy of the university that all students attending class must be enrolled in the class, either for a grade or as an auditor.
  • SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Students who need special accommodations in class, as provided for by the American Disabilities Act, should arrange a confidential meeting with the instructor during office hours the first week of classes - or as soon as possible if accommodations are needed immediately. You must bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting. If you do not have these forms but need accommodations, make an appointment with the Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.
  • GRADE CONFERENCE: Any student receiving a failing grade or a grade that could place them in academic jeopardy, on any element of the course, is urged to meet with me as soon as possible.
  • CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS: Class announcements such as exam dates, etc. will be made via the course web site. It is your responsibility to check the course web site regularly.