Department of Computer Science

CS501 – Foundations of Computer Science

Fall 2006  Syllabus

 

PLEASE, READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THIS INFORMATION!

 

Prerequisite:               CS152  or permission of instructor.

 

Course Description: Software design for structuring and manipulating data. Topics include stacks, queues, hash tables, trees, graphs, advanced sorting, and analysis of algorithms.

 

Instructor:                  Irena Pevac

 

Phone:                         832-2721                    

                       

Email:                         pevac  at  ccsu.edu

 

Office:                         Maria Sanford 219

 

Office Hours:             MW     2:15 - 3:00      

                                    TR       3:30 - 5:15      

                                               

Textbooks:                

Aho, Ullaman: Foundations of Computer Science - C edition. Computer Science Press 1995 

Lafore: Data Structures & Algorithms, SAMS 2003

Pevac: Recursive Examples in Java, XanEdu - OriginalWorks 2006

Jones: Java au Naturel, 2002

 

 

Topics Covered:  

Abstraction

Iteration, Induction, Recursion

Running Times of Programs

Big-Oh and Approximate Running Time

Recurrence Relations

Combinatorics and Probability

List Data Model

Tree Data Model

Set Data Model

Relational Data Model, Relational Algebra

Hashing

Dynamic Programming

Graph Data Model, Kruskal's, Prim’s and  Floyd's algorithms

 

  

Tests  There will be two tests during the semester, and final exam at the end. All tests are cumulative.

 

Class Meeting Times:           TR    5:15 - 6:30   

 

Course Requirements:          Two tests, four homeworks (projects), final exam, research paper and oral presentation of the paper in the class.

 

“A general rule for any college course is that you are expected to put in at least 2 hours of work outside of class for every hour in class.” For this course, the expectation is at least 6 hours per week outside of class.

 

University Policies:.

 

1.  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.  My telephone numbers and office hours are given above.

2. In the event of a weather emergency which requires curtailment or cancellation of classes, listen to WTIC (1080 AM) or call (860) 832-3333 for the “general snow message.” 

3. The last day to withdraw from a course is  October 31 2006.  Approvals for withdrawal are not required; however, it is strongly recommended that students consult with their instructor and academic advisors prior to deciding to withdraw.  Cessation of attendance, notice to the instructor, or telephone calls to the Enrollment Center are not considered official notice of a student’s intention to drop the course. 

After October 31 2006 withdrawals are allowed only under extenuating circumstances and require approval of the course instructor, department chair and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

4. You are responsible for understanding and abiding by the University’s policy on academic integrity.  Information on the policy may be found at http://www.ccsu.edu/AcademicIntegrity/.  This policy is rigorously enforced by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

 

Resources Available:

 

1.  If you need help, take advantage of your instructor's office hours.  Do not wait until just before the first test to do so.

2.  The Computer Club meets regularly in MS 314. Free tutoring is often available from Club members as well as from UPE members.  A schedule for hours the MS 314 lab is open will be posted soon after the beginning of the semester.

3.  Form a study group with other students in your section.  Discussing approaches for solutions to projects with each other is a good way to learn.

 

Evaluation

 

Minimum averages have been established for each of these grades:

 

A 93%   A– 90%   B+ 87%   B 83%   B– 80%   C+ 77%   C 73%   C– 70%        D+ 67%   D 63%   D– 60%

           

The average for the course will be based on the following weights: 20 points for each of the two tests, 10 points for the final exam, 10 points for each of the four projects, and 10 points for the research paper and oral presentation.           

 

Schedule of Important Dates

 

            T1  -  Oct 5   2006                  P1  -  Sep 28  2006                 P2 - Oct 19  2006                   

T2  -  Nov 9  2006                  P3 - Nov 2  2006                     P4  -  Dec 7  2006

 

Research Paper and Oral report  -  Nov 21  2006

Final Exam     Dec 19  2006  at  5:15 PM