1. Course Information and Introductions
Intro to Computer Science
CS1510
Dr. Sarah Diesburg
University of Northern Iowa

2. University of Northern Iowa
Instructor
Sarah Diesburg
Office: 311 ITTC
Office hours: MWF 9:00-10:50am and by appt.
Class website:
1510_sp17/index.htm
UNI eLearning
University of Northern Iowa

3. University of Northern Iowa
Other Faces
Lika Parker
Duc Vu
University of Northern Iowa

4. University of Northern Iowa
Class Schedule
Lecture in 328 ITTC
Mandatory
Three lectures/activities per week
Lab in WRT 112
Also mandatory
Hands-on work on projects for points
TA and lab instructor available for help
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5. University of Northern Iowa
Today
Passing along attendance sheet
Class objectives
What is computer science?
Logistics
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6. What is computer science??
Computer science is a discipline that involves the understanding and design of computers and computational processes
And it’s a REALLY diverse discipline
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7. University of Northern Iowa
Graphics
Ubiquitous Computing
Wearable Computing
Robotics
Virtual Environments
Bioinformatics
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8. University of Northern Iowa
Digital Special Effects
High Performance Simulation
Databases
Information Security
Human Computer Interface Design
Game Development
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9. What do these things have in common?
They all treat the computer as only part of a bigger picture
They all treat the computer as a tool!
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10. University of Northern Iowa
Programming!
Programming is the process of writing, testing, and maintaining the source code of computer programs
Collection of instructions that describe a task, or set of tasks, to be carried out by a computer
While this course is an introduction to computer science, it focuses on how we can program the computer to be the tool we need!
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11. Our Goals This Semester
Increase our problem solving skills
Design good solutions to problems
Test how well they are indeed solutions to the problem
Provide the solution as a readable document
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12. A brief look at course logistics
Take the time outside of class to thoroughly read the course syllabus.
Some highlights…
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13. University of Northern Iowa
Why two websites?
eLearning is for interaction
Submit assignments and labs, view your grades
Traditional website is for notes, labs, and other downloads
Demo…
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14. University of Northern Iowa
Prerequisites
None
Some of you may have programming experience, others may not
Either way is fine
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15. University of Northern Iowa
Required Skills
Time and patience
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16. University of Northern Iowa
Course Material
Lecture notes (posted at the class website)
Textbook:
The Practice of Computing Using Python (3rd edition), by William Punch and Richard Enbody
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17. University of Northern Iowa
Class Grading
Activity
Quantity
Points
Lab Work
pts each
195
Individual Homework
pts each
pts each
280
Concepts Exams
125 and 150 points
275
Programming Exams
pts each
250
Total
1000
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18. University of Northern Iowa
Grading Scale
100 – 92 A
91.9 – 90 A-
89.9 – 88 B+
87.9 – 82 B
81.9 – 80 B-
79.9 – 78 C+
77.9 – 72 C
71.9 – 70 C-
69.9 – 68 D+
67.9 – 62 D
61.9 – 60 D-
59.9 – 0 F
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19. University of Northern Iowa
Assignments
Generally one a week
Typically follow skills demonstrated in the lab
Due on the due date!
No late work accepted
Turn in what you have for partial credit – it’s worth it!
10% bonus score if turned in early
One class period (not lab) before due date
10% bonus is on top of what you earn
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20. Your Responsibilities
Understand lecture and reading materials
Attend office hours for extra help, as needed
Uphold academic honesty
Turn in your assignments on time
Check class web page and your UNI account and regularly
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21. University of Northern Iowa
Dos and Don’ts
Do share debugging experiences
Do share knowledge of tools
Do acknowledge help from others
Do acknowledge sources of information from books and web pages
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22. University of Northern Iowa
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t cheat
Don’t copy code from other people or websites
Don’t paraphrase code from others either
E.g., changing variable names & indentations
Will be using sophisticated plagiarism checker
Don’t post code to the discussion board
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23. University of Northern Iowa
Course Policies
Attendance mandatory
There are no make-up exams for missed exams…
Honor code: read your student handbook
Students with disabilities
Report to Student Disability Resource Center
Bring me a letter within the first week of class
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24. University of Northern Iowa
When to ask for help
We are not psychics
Please let us know if…
Class is too hard
You don’t have the background
Class can be improved in certain ways
When in doubt, us…
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25. Programming Environment
Python freely available online (
But get version 3.x
Do NOT get version 2
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26. Guidelines for Success in this Course
Prepare for lecture! Read the text selections before the start of lecture and complete any class prep assignment
On previous course evaluations, the NUMBER ONE answer to the question “I could have improved my learning in this course by…” was some variation of “read the textbook”
University of Northern Iowa

27. Guidelines for Success in this Course
Start assignments early so you have time to ask questions.
Face to face questions are better than questions.
If you me the night before something is due you shouldn’t get mad if I don’t respond.
If you spend more than 15 minutes staring at the computer stuck on something, ask for help! 
Make use of the office hours early! Don't wait until late in the term to seek help.
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28. Guidelines for Success in this Course
Finally, remember, programming takes practice. You may not get it the first time, but keep trying, asking for help, and caring. Eventually, you might find out that you are pretty good at this whole process!
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29. University of Northern Iowa
Rooms you should know!
ITTC 328 – Lectures
ITTC 305 – The departmental office
ITTC 311 – My office
ITTC 335 – Student Lounge
Wright 112 – Lab. Can also work in here outside of lab times.
Wright 339 – Can also work in here outside of lab times.
University of Northern Iowa

30. University of Northern Iowa
To Do
You will want to save your work somehow before lab on Thursday
Buy a class thumb drive
Save your work on your UNI Google drive
Dropbox
Any others?
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