Ryerson University
Department of Computer Science

CPS118 - Introductory Programming for Scientists
Course Outline and Course Management Form (Fall 2010)

Professors

Course Description:
The C programming language is used to develop good programming techniques. Topics covered include: C program form, language statements, algorithmic representation, numeric data types, flow of control with selection and repetition, standard C libraries, functions and call modes, arrays, pointers, sorting, matrix operations, character and string data types, dynamic storage, structures and linked lists, file I/O.

Course Format:
4 weekly lecture hours and 1 weekly lab hour.

Course Websites:
www.courseweb.ca/cps118 and your professor's website for specific section information. (must be consulted at least twice a week)

Course Texts:
•Hamelin, D. (2010), Introduction to Programming Workbook, First Edition, Dubuque: Kendall-Hunt. (course slides and exercises - highly recommended)
•Hanly, J. R. & Koffman, E. B. (2010), Problem Solving and Program Design in C – Custom Supplement for Ryerson University, 2^nd edition, Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing. (exercises book)
•Pratap, R. (2009), Getting Started with MatLab, Eighth Edition; Oxford University Press. (optional additonal reference)
•Gottfried, B. (1996), Programming with C - Second Edition, Shaum's Outlines Series, New York: McGraw-Hill. (optional additonal reference)
•CPS118 Lab Manual (available on line) on the course website.

Optional lab references:
•Academic Computing Services (2004), User's Guide to Academic Computing and the Internet, Toronto: Ryerson University Bookstore. Also available on line
•If your lab uses the facilities of the Department of Computer Science (ENG Building), you will need this user's guide.

Schedule of activities:

Evaluation:

Important notice: In order to pass the course, it is necessary to obtain 50% of the tests and examination marks and 50% of the total marks. In other words, your labs and assignments will not count if you do not obtain the required minimum of 50% (35/70) on the term tests and final exam.

General Information:
The term tests and final exam will consist mainly of writing C functions and programs. There may also be questions related to specifying the exact output produced by the execution of a given program, finding errors in a program or filling the blanks in an incomplete program. All tests must be written in pen, not pencil.

The labs will be graded based upon attendance and your complete devoted attention to the activities specified in the lab manual. Attendance for the entire lab period is required to avoid being marked absent. Also, engaging in any activity other than the one prescribed in the lab manual will give you an absentee status (a zero mark) for that lab. Again, lab attendance and work is *mandatory*. If you get three or more labs with a zero mark, you will get an F grade. If you do have a valid reason to miss a lab (approved by the FYCSO), you will make arrangements with your lab assistant to submit your lab by email. Email submissions will not be accepted under any other circumstance.

Assignments consist of designing, writing and testing a program to solve a given problem. Assignments and labs are to be done individually, and are marked based on correctness of results, quality of documentation, style and layout. Assignments and lab programs must contain the following comment: /* This program is my own individual work */. Copied work (both copy and original) will be given a grade of zero. Involvement with plagiarism can ultimately result in course failure and/or expulsion from the University in accordance with the Ryerson Student Conduct Code. If you are found guilty of academic misconduct the minimum penalty you will receive is a mark of zero on the test, exam, paper, project or assignment in question and the notation “Disciplinary Notice (DN)” will be placed on your academic record and official transcript where it will remain for eight years.

Late assignments will not be accepted for marking. Assignments must be submitted in the format detailed in class, and are to be submitted as directed by your Professor. Assignments submitted in any other fashion are deemed void.

It is important to know your CPS118 section number. Marks will be lost on any evaluation missing proper identification, i.e. Family/Last Name, Given/First Name, Section Number and Student Identification Number (only if specifically requested).

Again, a reminder that in order to pass the course, it is necessary to obtain 50% of the (tests + examination) marks and 50% of the total marks and having attended 8 labs or more.

Students are responsible for logging on to the course website at least weekly, and for following all course related instructions so transmitted. Students should also check their email (the ryerson.ca email as per academic policy) daily for any notices from the Professors and are responsible for following any directives so sent.

As course topics typically develop based on material from previous lectures, students are strongly urged to attend ALL classes. If you miss any material due to illness or other unavoidable circumstance be sure to catch up before the next class.

Grades on assignments, tests and labs will be available on the Blackboard/RAMSS system or other means specified by your Professor. As per Ryerson regulation, final grades will be disclosed only by the registrar's office.

A faculty course survey will be filled by the students during week 11 (except during Spring and Summer terms).

Rules and regulations:
The rules and regulations are for the enjoyment and respect of everyone in the class including yourself. Thank you very much for abiding by them:

Please refrain of talking during the lecture. Everybody needs to hear correctly. If you feel the urge to talk, you are invited to step out of the classroom.

Please shut down you cell phone or put it in vibrating mode during the lecture. If you are expecting an important call, and do not have a vibrating function, please answer it immediately and step out of the classroom to talk.

Please arrive on time, class will promptly begin at :10 (on the hour for Spring courses). If you arrive late or have to leave early, please do so quietly and be nice and close the door behind you if it doesn't close automatically.

Please be reminded that the Lab Assistants have the authority of the professor in the lab sessions. You are to treat the TAs with respect.

Emails to your Professor should always begin with a greeting (Dear Dr. X, Dear Professor Y) and be written in proper English (no chat room lingo please). Your should also always indicate your name (family, given in that order), course (CPS118) and section number in all communications. You must always use your ryerson.ca email to communicate with your Professor. Messages sent from other addresses (gmail, hotmail, ...) most likely will not be received nor answered. You may also use the official website's message centre to communicate with your professor or your lab assistant.

Changes:
Modifications to the course procedures will be made in consultation with the students and will be announced on the course website.