COP 3223H meeting -*- Outline -*- * Course Policies and Plan ** What the course is about ------------------------------------------ ESSENTIAL GOALS FOR THE COURSE Programming: Given a problem specification, write a correct program to sovle it Semantics: Understand the meaning of programs in Python and C ------------------------------------------ These are the course's essential learning outcomes Semantics is a stepping stone to the programming goal ------------------------------------------ ENRICHMENT GOALS Design: Specify a problem and then correctly solve it Formal: Formally specify a problem in math, then prove that the program is correct. ------------------------------------------ We may only do some of these enrichment goals as extra credit problems or extra topics if we have time, but we cn explore the design one during our Friday problem sessions. ** plan for the course ------------------------------------------ PLAN FOR THE COURSE Broad outline: - programming in Python (mentioning C) - programming in C Every Friday we will focus on problem solving ------------------------------------------ We do Python first becuase it is interpreted, so easier to start with, and more forgiving of beginner's mistakes *** grading ------------------------------------------ GRADING + No curve grading + Your grade is 65% based on tests 35% on homework ------------------------------------------ moral: use homeworks to learn, cheating on homework won't help in class questions will be used to: - get students to read for first exposure on own time, - make class more productive - make class more interactive details in grading_policy.shtml web page *** cooperation and cheating ------------------------------------------ COOPERATION Can talk with others about homework - but must cite them Can cooperatively do homework - but this isn't recommended - see grading policy for details CHEATING Exchange of finished answers - without cooperation in solving them - without certification Using ideas of others - without citation Copying answers from the web - without citation ------------------------------------------ See grading policy for details. *** advice ------------------------------------------ ADVICE ON HOW TO LEARN PROGRAMMING Discipline: - the key point is to learn programming yourself, not to get points or a grade - don't fall into the temptation of Googling for the answer (cheating) or asking others for the answer (also cheating) (you need to learn HOW to solve it) Persistence: - we didn't evolve to do programming (so it's not genetic) - programming can be learned but needs practice, perhaps more than we will give you (so practice on your own!) - don't be too persistent; let your mind solve the problem while you do other things... (don't forget to eat, etc.) - if you are having trouble, ask for help! (the instructor is happy to help you) ------------------------------------------ *** ask for questions/concerns discuss them