CISC 115 COMPUTER SCIENCE I

FALL 2014 CISC 115 50 MW 10:00-11:40 KAPP 124

Instructor
Norman Lippincott
Assoc. Professor, Computer Science
570-369-1838
nlippincott@northampton.edu

Office: Monroe Campus, Kapp 120-D

Monday: 12:00-3:00
Wednesday: 12:00-3:00
Thursday: 10:00-12:00

Required Materials
Textbook
Gaddis, T.; Starting Out with C++, From Control Structures through Objects; 7 ed., brief version, Pearson 2012.
ISBN: 978-0-13-277289-1

Other Items

USB Flash Drive, 4 GB recommended

Microsoft Visual C++ Express Edition (available in computer labs, and for free download from Microsoft), or
other standards-compliant C++ compiler

Blackboard account (http://northampton.blackboard.com/)

Course Description
Introduction to computing through the development of algorithms and programs which are implemented in a high
level function/object oriented language. Topics include: simple data types, control structures, documentation, basic file
manipulation, problem solving techniques, modular design, structured data types.

Student Learning Outcomes

To acquaint the student with the fundamentals of computer science.

To instill an appreciation of computing and computing techniques.

To direct the student towards a logical solution of problems through development of proper algorithms.

To reinforce the above concepts through the writing of computer programs using a highly structured
programming language.

To examine selected application areas which involve computer programming.

CISC 115 50, Computer Science I, Fall 2014

Assessment
Grades for the course are based on the following components:

Lab Assignments, 10%

Programming Projects (10), 40%

Tests (3), 35%

Final Exam, 15%

A final, weighted average is computed based on the percentages of the assessment items above, and is rounded to the
nearest full percent. A final grade is then assigned according to the following scale:

93-100: A
90-92: A87-89: B+
83-86: B

80-82: B77-79: C+
73-76: C
70-72: C-

67-69: D+
60-66: D
0-59: F

Lab Assignments
Lab assignments consist of short exercises, usually from the textbook, that are done during class and, if needed,
finished outside of class. Work for lab assignments will be accumulated and maintained using Blackboard journals and
are organized by textbook chapter.

Programming Projects
Programming projects consist of one or more problems for which you will need to devise a solution and implement
that solution as a C++ program. Accompanying documentation will also be required. Each project will be posted on
Blackboard with an accompanying due date, and will be posted one to two weeks prior to the due date. Projects will
often require several sittings to complete, so it is important to start work on projects as soon as they are assigned.
Programming projects are to be submitted in electronic form via the Blackboard web site. Your instructor will provide
instructions on submitting electronic copies of C++ programs via Blackboard.

Tests
Tests will be administered using Blackboard and will consist of problems and short-answer questions. Some short
programming components may be included. Your instructor will provide a list of topics and conduct an in-class review
for each test one week prior to the test. Test dates are shown in the course schedule at the end of this document.

Final Exam
The format of the final exam is the same as that of the tests, but longer. The final exam is comprehensive.

College Policies
Class Attendance and Withdrawal
Class attendance and engagement in the learning process
are critical factors in determining students' success in
their courses. NCC students are expected to attend all
class sessions of courses in which they are enrolled, and
are responsible for all material presented in class sessions
of these courses.

A student who misses class more than twice the number

of weekly meeting of the class (or the equivalent in
short-term classes) may be withdrawn from the course by
the instructor. Students who are withdrawn for poor
attendance will receive a grade of W. Faculty may issue a
withdrawal through the first 90% of the semester (14th
week or equivalent in short-term classes). After the 90%
period a student may not withdraw or be withdrawn.

CISC 115 50, Computer Science I, Fall 2014

In an Internet-based distance learning course, a student is
considered to have missed the equivalent of more than
twice the number of weekly meetings of a traditional
classroom course in a consecutive two-week period if
there has been no participation by the student in the class
through submission of assignments, participation in
discussion forums or contact with the Instructor in any
way during the period.
Students who are withdrawn from the class for lack of
attendance may appeal the enforced withdrawal to the
instructor. If the instructor agrees to reinstate the student,
he/she will be required to a complete a reinstatement
form and return it directly to the Vice President for
Student Affairs. If the appeal is denied, the student may
speak with the appropriate academic dean and/or the
Vice President for Student Affairs. Further discussion
may take place with the faculty member, but the final
decision on withdrawal rests with the faculty member.

They are responsible for making their

expectations related to academic honesty clear to
their classes including which activities and
resources are allowed and the consequences for
violations in their courses.

They are responsible for communicating about

violations of the academic honesty policy to
students and their division Dean and to the Vice
president for Student Affairs.

Academic Honesty Violations

Violations of the academic honesty policy include any
actions that attempt to gain academic credit for work that
does not represent the student's own efforts and
knowledge. They include, but are not limited to the
following situations and examples:

Students will not be graded on attendance; however,

students may be graded on class participation.

Providing or receiving help on an

examination or test in a manner not
authorized by the instructor.

Northampton Community College considers honesty to

be essential to the learning experience. Academic
honesty is one of the values that we expect members of
the NCC community will apply in their work on this
campus and take into their lives beyond NCC. Violations
of academic honesty harm the learning experience and
violate the expectations and values that we hope the
NCC community embraces. We expect all members of
the NCC academic community to conduct themselves
and their work ethically and honestly.

Buying, selling, improperly obtaining, or

using any tests or examinations.
Posing as another student or allowing
another student to pose as you when taking
an exam or quiz.
Altering or adding answers on exercises,
exams, or quizzes after the work has been
graded.

Student Responsibilities
Students are solely responsible for their work
and for making sure that their work represents
their own honest efforts to meet the goals of the
course.

They are responsible for learning and following

the policies and expectations of the college and
for understanding the consequences of actions
that violate the policy on academic honesty.

They are responsible for showing that the work

they present is theirs in whatever ways are
deemed appropriate by the faculty for the
course.

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty members are responsible for

demonstrating academic honesty in their work.

Cheating on examinations and quizzes:

Using notes, materials, and/or mechanical,
electronic or technological devices not
authorized by the instructor during
examinations or quizzes.

Academic Honesty Policy

Plagiarizing:
Using the ideas or words of others without
appropriate quotation and documentation
that acknowledges the source or sources in
other words, presenting someone else's work
as one's own.
Copying, exact words, phrases or sentences
without quoting and giving credit to the
source.
Using a paraphrased version of the opinions,
work, or ideas of others without giving
credit.
The wrongful appropriation of all or part of
someone else's literary, artistic, musical,

CISC 115 50, Computer Science I, Fall 2014

mechanical, or computer-based work.
Copying all or part of an assignment, (a
research paper, lab report, or workbook)
from another person or resource and
presenting it as your own work.
Purchasing an assignment and submitting it
as your own work.
Falsifying or inventing information, data or
research material. Altering or forging
records or submitting false records as part of
course work or making false statements,
excuses, or claims to gain academic credit
or influence grading.
Listing sources that you never consulted.
Gaining unauthorized access to another
person's or the College's computer system or
tampering with or copying programs, files,
data or access codes associated with
coursework.

Tampering with or damaging the work of others

or preventing others from completing their own
assignments.

Consequences of Violations
When a faculty member believes that a student has
committed acts that violate the academic honesty policy,
he or she will advise the student of the offense and the
penalty imposed. A faculty member may apply one of the
following penalties:

A written warning, with the requirement that the

assignment be redone within the instructor's
specified time.

A failing grade for the assignment or test.

An "F" grade for the course.

Commitment to Diversity
Northampton Community College is committed to
creating and fostering a learning and working

environment based on open communication and mutual

respect. This is an integral part of the Colleges academic
mission to enrich our students' educational experiences
and prepare them to live in and contribute to a global
society. If you encounter sexual harassment, sexual
misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on
race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please
contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 610-861-5496 or
hwhitaker@northampton.edu

Policy Regarding Children

The extended (defined as 30 minutes or more) presence
of unattended children (including children of staff and
students) under the age of 16 on campus, unless officially
registered in a College program is strictly prohibited.
Children are not permitted in class. The classroom
instructor has the authority to make an exception to this
policy for an emergency circumstance, using the
following criteria: if at all possible, students must contact
the instructor prior to the class to seek permission;
students may not request this special exception more than
twice in one semester; and children may not be
disruptive (i.e. noisy, moving around, interfering with the
teaching-learning process) or they will be asked to leave
immediately with their parent/guardian.

Disability Services
Northampton Community College encourages
academically qualified students with disabilities to take
advantage of its educational programs. Services and
accommodations are offered to students with disabilities
at no additional cost to facilitate accessibility to College
programs and facilities. These services are based upon
each students individual needs and must be indicated by
current documentation of disability. For more
information, you can contact the Coordinator of
Disability Services at 610-861-5342 or TDD (610) 8615351 or view the Disability Services Web page by
following these links from the NCC home page
(http://www.northampton.edu): Administration > Student
Services > Students With Disabilities.

Instructor Policies
Classroom Protocol

viewed by others in the class as disruptive or distracting.

All class members (both students and the instructor) are

entitled to a courteous and respectful classroom
environment that is free from distractions. Class
members are to refrain from any behavior that may be

Examples of disruptive or distracting behavior include:

Use of cell phones or other electronic devices

during class.

CISC 115 50, Computer Science I, Fall 2014

Use of classroom commuters for activities not
related to the class (e.g. web browsing, e-mail,
social networking, shopping).

disruption.

Working on homework for other classes.

Habitual lateness to class.

Persistent speaking without permission.

Each assignment, project, or other out-of-class

assessment item has an associated due date. Due dates
are announced in class, appear on the course syllabus,
and can also be found on the course web site.

Sleeping in class.

Inappropriate personal disclosures (i.e. sharing

too much information).

Physical disruptions or physical altercations.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

Students are expected to be in the classroom and seated
at the start of class, and remain until class is dismissed.
Routine late arrivals and/or early departures offer
classroom distractions and are disrespectful to other class
members.
Your instructor understands that there may be occasional
circumstances when a student may be late to class or
must leave early. These circumstances, however, should
be the rare exception and not the rule. As a courtesy,
notify your instructor in advance when an early departure
is expected.
In all cases when an late arrival or early departure is
necessary, be respectful and do so with minimal class

Due Dates and Late Work

Ample time is provided for completion of each

assignment. You should begin work on each assignment
shortly after it is posted waiting until the day before (or
worse, the day) the assignment is due is a recipe for
failure.
By turning in assignments on time your work will be
graded and returned in a timely manner (usually within
one week), and with comments as appropriate.
Late work will be accepted up to two weeks past the due
date and will be subject to the following:

A penalty of 20% of the total possible score will

be assessed.

The assignment may be graded without

comment.

The assignment will be graded at the instructor's

convenience, possibly as late as the end of the
semester.

Any work that is not turned in within two weeks of the

due date will receive a grade of zero.

CISC 115 50, Computer Science I, Fall 2014

Course Calendar
The following is a schedule of topics for the course, test dates, and assignment due dates. Be aware that the dynamics
of the class, which may include topic difficulty, student interest, etc., may cause this schedule to be adjusted
throughout the semester.
Dates

Topic / Textbook Readings

Programming Projects

8/25

Course Introduction
Ch. 1 Introduction to Computers and Programming

8/27

Using Microsoft Visual C++

Ch. 2 Introduction to C++

1 8/27-9/8

Ch. 3 Expressions and Interactivity

2 9/8-9/15

9/3, 9/8

9/10, 9/15, 9/17, Ch. 4 Making Decisions

9/22, 9/24
Test 1 9/17

3 9/15-8/22
4 9/22-9/29

9/29, 10/1, 10/6, Ch. 5 Loops and Files

10/8

5 9/29-10/6
6 10/6-10/15

10/15, 10/20,
10/22, 10/27,
10/29

Ch. 6 Functions
Test 2 10/20

11/3, 11/5, 11/10, Ch. 7 Arrays

11/12
11/17, 11/19,
11/24, 11/26

Ch. 8 Searching and Sorting

Test 3 11/19

12/1, 12/3, 12/8 Ch. 13 Introduction to Classes

12/10

Review

TBA

Final Exam

7 10/15-10/27
8 10/22-11/5
9 11/5-11/17
10 11/17-12/1