Course Purpose: The major goals for this course are for you to learn: (1) fundamentals of object-oriented design and programming, (2) the design, operation and use of basic data structures, (3) how to reason about the runtime efficiency of algorithms, and (4) how to implement all of these using Java. Object-oriented Java constructs are taught and applied to a variety of problems. Data structures for maintaining collections of objects are studied and compared, as are sorting and searching algorithms. Principles of software engineering are stressed throughout.

Examinations: There will be four exams in all, the fourth being a comprehensive final. The first three exams are each 50 minutes in length and each counts for 100 points, or 10% of your grade. The final exam is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2000 and counts for 200 points, or 20% of your grade. The course syllabus includes an approximate exam schedule. Exam dates will be announced at least a week in advance.

Assignments: There will be both in-lab and homework programming assignments. In-lab assignments are due at the end of the laboratory period (10:40 a.m. Thursday) for which they are assigned. Each in-lab assignment is equally weighted and total to 200 points, or 20% of your grade. Late in-lab assignments will not be accepted. Your lowest in-lab assignment score will be dropped. Homework assignments are due on the date and time specified on the assignment. Homework assignments are individually weighted and total to 300 points, or 30% of your grade. Homework assignments not submitted by the due time are subject to a 10% per day late penalty assessed from that time. A contiguous weekend/holiday period counts as one day. I encourage you to discuss problems with each other, but the solution submitted must be yours alone (unless assigned otherwise). Assignments will be submitted to individual folders on the NT server eccentric; details are specified in a separate document.

Grading Policy: You may receive a maximum of 1000 points. Exams comprise 500 points, or 50% and assignments comprise the other 500 points, or 50%. Letter grades are determined only at the end of the course, based on the final point total. The normal scale is 900-1000 points for an A, 800-899 points for a B, 700-799 points for a C, 600-699 points for a D and less than 600 points for an F. This scale may be lowered to reflect a curve but will not be raised.

Attendance: It is to your advantage to attend class and your responsibility to obtain information presented in your absence. If you miss an exam, you will receive a zero for it unless prior arrangements have been made to take a makeup exam.

SMSU is an equal opportunity institution, and maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Equal Opportunity Officer, Carrington 128, (417) 836-4252. Concerns about discrimination can also be brought directly to your instructor's attention.

Last reviewed: 23 August 2000