Introduction to Programming Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CS 10 Introduction to Computer Science

CRN 35442-831 / 35443-834

Spring 2024 Course Syllabus

This syllabus is also available as a printable PDF document which can be printed. 

Course Description

CS 10 has replaced CS 110A as the primary introductory course for absolute beginners in the CS Department. Please contact the department chair (jpotter@ccsf.edu) or a CS 10 instructor to learn more about what's new in CS 10!


Broad introduction to fundamental concepts in computer science. Investigate how computers store and transmit information, how to solve problems with computers by designing and implementing algorithms, and how computing fits into larger social issues.

Prerequisites/corequisites/advisories

Prerequisite MATH 60 and placement in Math 90 + 90S or higher. Advisory is ENGL 88 - Preparation for College Reading and Composition (Active).

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

1: Articulate how a variety of types of information can be stored in a computer using the binary number system

2: Explain how information can be transmitted as binary numbers between computers via computer networks

3: Evaluate and design algorithms that use selection, repetition, and decomposition to solve quantitative problems

4: Implement algorithms that feature conditionals, loops, and functions using a programming language

5: Defend possible positive actions that address issues related to the impact of computers in society

 

Class Meetings

Materials will be online 24/7 for access. Optional class meetings will be offered 7 - 9 pm every Thursday evening. The meetings will be recorded and posted under CityZoom link, under Recordings tab. Depending on student demand, Optional lab sessions may be offered during the week for students to work with teacher and/or TA to go over lab problems. Additional one on one meetings between students and teacher can be requested over the course of the semester. To request a one to one session, please email the instructor.

Instructor Contact

JoAnne Strickland

Email: jstrickland@ccsf.edu

Phone: (707) 260-5622

Office Hours: TBA and upon request

I will respond to all course email within 48 hours, exclusive of school holidays, but will strive to respond within 24 hours regardless of weekends or holidays. For urgent questions/help, phoning or texting is welcome. Please keep to standard hours 8 am to 11 pm, every day of the week. I will be in classes on and off, so please leave a detailed message and I will respond at the earliest convenient time.

Feedback will be found in the grades here for each discussion/quiz/assignment. Expect assignments to be graded within two weeks of submittal or a week after they are due on the guidelines on the Schedule, whichever is later.

Course Web Site

Use the Canvas Learning Management system for accessing class materials, assignment instructions, submitting assignments, taking quizzes, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades. Our Canvas classroom can be located through the CCSF website links for Canvas, or directly by going to Canvas Classroom Direct Link

You must log into Canvas to access the course directly from this link or can type ccsf.instructure.com. 

OUR CLASSROOM FROM MYCSSF

The class website can be reached by going to www.ccsf.edu, then click on the MyCCSF link, then the Log into Canvas link. When you log in there you will need a RAM ID to access the class. You can also access directly the Canvas classroom by going to ccsf.instructure.com.

You should also email me, jstrickland@ccsf.edu, and inform me of any issues you may be having with the Canvas classroom. You can also call me at 707 260-5622 for any reason as well. Please be assured I will return your call within 24 hours if I am not able to answer directly.

First thing is to check the Courses Link and then select your course. This will take you to the Home Page of the website.

On this syllabus, which you should read in full, you will find the required textbook for the class. You will also see a schedule in the first module which has due dates and other information. The schedule is subject to change a little but for the most part it will remain consistent.

THE CANVAS INTERFACE

Guidance is provided for navigating and using tools of Canvas in the Canvas introduction module at the top of the modules page. 

Textbook

Our interactive textbook is from Zybooks which is customized for our course. You can follow the steps below to obtain the textbook. You can also go to the bookstore and give them the ISBN ISBN: 979-8-203-96669-8 and the Zybook code in Step 2 below. 

 

Required Software

In this class, we will be using an IDE to write and test Python code such as Pycharm. You may use another interpreter IDE if you would like as well. 

Important Dates

Important Dates to Remember       

https://www.ccsf.edu/admissions-recordsregistration/important-dates        Links to an external site.

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is YOUR responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund, a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student. 

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with web4 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.

You must file for the P/NP option by the due date to make this change. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

I will post regular announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or of me.

Attendance

Students who fail to attend the first class (Modules #0 and #1 activities, Discussion and Syllabus Quiz) or do not log-in to an online class after the second week and/or contact the instructor will be dropped from the class. If you intend to take the course, please take the Syllabus Quiz by the end of the second week. If you DO NOT take the quiz, you will be dropped at the Census date. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one module/assignment deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class. Attendance is posting to Discussions at least once and replying to classmates at least once in EACH discussion forum. 

Late Policy

All assignments are due at 11:59 pm of the night of the due date. There is only one must meet due date, all at the end of each class. Submissions that are late are not accepted without prior arrangement.

Methods of Evaluation

I look at the overall knowledge of each student before I assign final grades. I look at the homework assignments to see if the student can analyze a problem statement and use the appropriate statements to implement the requirements of the problem statement. There are normally several ways to solve a problem, so all solutions that work are acceptable, but as we learn, we shoot for optimization and simplicity with no redundancy in the code. 

Exams

There will be online quizzes and a final exam. The quizzes may be taken anytime before the due date and the final exam is open during the entire week of finals. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any quiz or exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online quizzes and exam by the due date.

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade at least once a week and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook. I can tell if you have read the feedback, and will normally comment on missing elements once before I mark an assignment down. If you are missing elements, I will comment and ask for you to resubmit. 

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Grade Breakout



                 Score Breakout



A   90%   3600 points or more

B   80%   3200 to 3599 points

C   70%   2800 to 3199 points

D   60%   2400 to 2799 points

F or FW  <60%   <=2399 

If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the final exam/final project to pass the class.

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs and Wellness (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site..

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Citing Information Sources (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

 Accommodations

Students with disabilities who need accommodations are encouraged to contact me.  Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodation process. The DSPS office is located in the Rosenberg Library, Room 323 and can be reached at (415) 452-5481.

 Anti-Discrimination Policy

The San Francisco Community College District is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and the prevention of discrimination and harassment in any program or activity of the District on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, disability or AIDS/HIV status, medical conditions, or status as Vietnam-era veteran, or on the basis of these perceived characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

If you believe you have been subject to discrimination, please contact Mildred Otis, Title 5/EEO/ADA/Title IX Compliance Officer, at motis@ccsf.edu.

 

Diversity, Inclusion, Equity Policy

The CCSF CS Department is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of computer science. We strive to make computer science accessible and exciting to all, particularly those who historically have been and continue to be excluded from or face discrimination in the field based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other dimension of their identity.

We believe that an inclusive department with perspectives from diverse backgrounds benefits students, teachers, and the broader community and helps promote innovation and the more equitable application of technology in society. 

Promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion is a process of continual growth and learning for us. We welcome your ideas and questions. If you have a suggestion for how we can better support you and/or your classmates, or if you have a question about our efforts in this area, please reach out to any CS instructor or to the Department Chair. We will make sure your voice is heard. 

For more information and resources outside of our department, please visit CCSF’s Office of Student Equity.Links to an external site.

Don't forget!

Have fun and do not stress. There is no reason to stress in my class. Learning is impeded by stress. Come talk to me about any pain points you have. The important thing to me is that you learn. If you experience personal issues during the class that impeded your work, please let me know and we can work out a way for you to succeed.