This is a college level course in Computer Science that includes Object
Oriented Programming. Students are expected to take the College Board's
Advanced Placement Computer Science A Test.
Materials
The Textbook is Exposure
Java by Leom Schram. Rather than purchasing the book individually, the school has bought
a site license and will reproduce the book for you. A Lab Fee is used to offset
the cost of this site license for use of the textbook, and the expense of the printing the book and reproducing
compact discs. On the first day of class you will receive a disc with
the programs, Labs and complete textbook, the first two chapters printed on
paper, a book-sized box to store your materials, as well as the password to the
web site.
It would be extremely helpful to have a computer at home to
compile the textbook programs (10 to 30 each chapter) as you read, as well
as work on lab assignments. Any computer that runs Java2 1.5 (also
known as Java 5 or internally named "Tiger" at Sun) or higher will do.
In class we will use computers that run on Windows XP,
but I'll be happy to show you how to do your work running Linux or OSX as well.
Since we have
much to do to get ready for the AP exam, I will have some optional
"Saturday Classes"
early in the year where I can spend more time with you demonstrating how to
install Java, Linux, Eclipse, jEdit, JCreator, BlueJ, or XCode on your computer or
help troubleshoot problems you may be having.
I recommend buying (and using!) a test preparation book (Like the Princeton Review, Leon Schrams book or the
online eIMACS Be Prepared for the AP Exam) to
practice with before the Exam on May 5.
Reading Assignments and Reading Quizzes
Most Chapters will take 1 or 2 classes (though Chapters 6, 7, 8,
9, 11, 12, 14, 19, and 21 take more). You need to read the chapter BEFORE
the first lecture on that chapter. Even though you already have the entire book
on the CD from the first day of class, I will print a copy of the next chapter
for you each week. This allows you to read away from your computer, as well
as highlight and take notes. More importantly, this allows you to use your
computer for compiling programs while reading about it on the paper copy.
The CD has both powerpoint slides as well as exercises for each chapter
to help you prepare for the reading quiz or review for a test.
The course is designed to show you many examples, and along the way you will
discover the general truths. This only works if you allow yourself to
be exposed to something you do not at first understand.
You need to start with reading the chapter, even if it is not completely
clear (In fact, this will be the case most of the time!).
At the beginning of the chapter there will be a reading quiz.
The reading quiz starts 2 minutes after the bell. Every 30 seconds
a powerpoint slide will advance to the next question. These reading quiz questions
are not difficult questions that demand mastery of the topic; they are simple
questions that anyone WHO HAS READ THE ASSIGNMENT would know.
Classroom Labs and Unit Labs
Despite the fact that the AP Exam is a written exam, programming is an activity, and best learned while working on a program. Some class lectures will explain the chapter's ideas and programs, but usually there
will be a classroom lab assignment to help you practice and explore these ideas.
I will circulate around the room offering my help, but it is expected that your ask help from your neighbor, as well as offer your help when they need it. Not every topic is as quick and easy to learn as others, so you may have to finish these labs outside of class. The textbook is quite clear about the difference between helping and copying.
Easier versions have a lower maximum score than the difficult versions which are usually more complex.
Quizzes and Tests
Class time is at a premium, but we need Quizzes and Tests to practice for the AP Exam. Tests will be designed to be taken in 15 minutes. In addition to the Graded Labs, there might be a Lab Test that needs to be performed on the computer without prior knowledge or preparation. This is to assure you understand the previous labs, and are not merely going through the motion of typing what you are told during the class Labs. There will be a 90 minute exam at the end of each quarter (October 11, December 18, March 14, May 15).
GridWorld Case Study
Nearly 20% of the AP Exam is on this Case Study. We are preparing for the AP
Computer Science A Exam, so we will only cover the first 4 chapters. We will work through the first chapter early in the year, but the rest of the
chapters can only be completed after finishing most of the textbook.
Fourth Quarter Final Project
After the AP Exam, much of the class time will be working on your final project.
It will be a graphics program or applet of your choosing. Like the Graded Labs, you may choose a simple project that has a lower maximum score, or a more ambitious project that has a higher maximum score. The EDLINE link to "Student Examples" has examples.
Extra Credit
According to the Extra Credit policy of the school, Extra Credit may not exceed more than 5% of the semester grade. If you are doing poorly and wish to get more points (not to exceed 5% of the total points), you may prepare a test question from an AP Study Guide or a past AP Comp Sci A Exam to present to the class. Make a Powerpoint (or Keynote) presentation that (1) shows the class the question and (2) clearly explains the correct answer.
Classroom Discipline
- DO NOT DISRUPT CLASS
For the sake of the majority of the class, those who disrupt
a class lesson by talking, disturbing someone, or throwing any
object will not be tolerated. Disciplinary measures may include
written assignments or cleaning of the classroom. Chronic disruptions
warrant a phone call home and/or a "Saturday".
- DO NOT ABUSE SCHOOL PROPERTY
You are
responsible for your work place and will be held accountable to
keep your desk and its environs clean. Feet should remain on the floor,
never on the desk. All four feet of the desk must also remain on
the floor. Be gentle when using a school computer. If you are
banned from the use of a school computer, all computer based
assignments are replaced with extensive written
assignments, and that is no way to take a Computer Science Class!
- DO NOT ABUSE YOUR TIME
Take advantage of the group work sessions. This is the time
to do your talking---so long as you get the work done. Abuse
of this privilege will result in individual loss of the privilege
as well as the disciplinary measures mentioned above.
Talking without permission during quizzes or tests can and
will be interpreted as cheating. Consult the student handbook
for the consequences of cheating. As per the student handbook,
students are responsible for work missed due to absence the day
they return. If you are present and a quiz or test is scheduled,
you must take it. It is a good idea to have the phone number
of several classmates to see what material
and assignments were covered during your absence. If you miss
a quiz you cannot gain any points for it. Usually one test
score and one quiz score will be dropped each quarter.
If you know you will be absent
for a test, you may schedule to take it before the actual test
date if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
In the case of an extended illness special arrangements should
be made with the Academic Vice Principal, Mr. Trujillo.
- LIVE UP TO YOUR GOOD NAME You are expected to exhibit the
attributes of a St. Francis
Golden Knight: courteous attention, gracious cooperation, and
dedicated study. Each can readily be seen in the thoroughness
and orderliness of your work, as well as how you offer, ask and accept help from others.
Grading
Practically every class session will have an evaluation of some sort.
It might be a quick Reading Quiz or Class Lab (a small programming project), or a more involved
written Exam or a Unit Lab (a more involved Programming Project). If you have an
excused absence, you do not need to "make up" a 10 point quiz or lab, but you do
need to "make up" any other evaluation that is worth more than 10 points. An Unexcused absence is
an automatic zero, and late work is always a grade lower.
| Evaluation | Points |
|---|
| Reading Quizzes | 10 |
| Class Labs | 10 |
| Unit Labs | 20 |
| Lab Tests | 20 |
| Written Quizzes | 20 |
| Unit Tests | 50 |
| Quarter Exam | 100 |
| 4th Quarter Final Project | 100 |
The overall letter
grades are computed by using the standard percentage ratio:
 .
I will drop one low Reading Quiz and one low Class Lab every quarter.
Since these scores are not counted in
the overall score, the percentages are NEVER rounded up (I'm already basing your grade on your best work). Therefore, the average is converted into letter grades strictly as follows:
| 90% to 100% | A
|
| 80% to 89.9999% | B
|
| 70% to 79.9999% | C
|
| 60% to 69.9999% | D
|
| 0% to 59.9999% | not a D
|
You must follow directions carefully when taking online quizzes. For example, you may not press the "Back" button during a Reading Quiz. Failure to follow this instruction will score an automatic "50%" on your quiz.
|