Time: MW 1:00-3:00 PM

Professor:  Dr. Fred Annexstein

Phone: (513)-556-1807

FAX: (513)-556-7326

Email: fred.annexstein (at) uc.edu

Address: 889 Rhodes Hall

General Information:

Info for this course will be posted on the public web and the BLACKBOARD system and will be regularly updated. You should regularly check this site and BLACKBOARD for announcements, updated syllabus, homework assignments, etc.

Motivation and Objectives:

This class is designed as an introduction to the concepts and practice of Computer Science. Computer scientists use a wide variety of tools, techniques and mathematical language to model computational problems and the world. In this class students will be introduced to some of these tools, techniques, and language. We will do many hands-on exercises to develop our facility with computers, our intuition in problem solving, and our skills in numerical literacy and critical analysis. We will consider the historical background of computing, and be exposed to a variety of beautiful computational objects and concepts. We will demonstrate some intriguing computing paradoxes and discuss some open scientific questions. Students will leave the class with a better understanding of the nature of computers and computer programming, and will be better prepared to model and solve real-world problems using these machines. During the term students will be exposed to several of the recognized sub-fields of the discipline of Computer Science, namely, algorithms, intelligent systems, databases, networks & communications, and architectures & systems. There will be general information about the CS profession, employment prospects, survival strategies in the major, time management skills, and the various academic resources available at UC. We expect to expose students to some programming languages and software application tools in a laboratory setting, including, Excel, Matlab, Python, and Scratch.

Grading Scheme:

The grading for this class will be based on the contents in a portfolio created by each student. The portfolio will be maintained on a public website and contain the student’s work on homework projects and approximately 8 laboratory modules. The student will receive quarterly feedback on the state of his/her portfolio. A student receiving a satisfactory grade on all assigned homework and projects will receive a grade of at least a B. To receive a grade of A, a student must complete a final project acceptable to the instructor and exhibiting exceptional creativity. No other exams will be given.

Academic Honesty:

The standard penalty for any form of academic dishonesty in this course is failure in the course. Submitting the work of another person as your own constitutes academic dishonesty. There are no "small" offenses to this policy. In the course we will discuss proper methods of citation when using the work of others.

Class Format, Homework and Projects:

Each class will be split between an lecture hour and a lab session. We will work on projects in a variety of application areas and programming environments. For example, we will do some game programming, robotics, security, and graphics programming.

You will have homework projects including 2 book reviews. One review will be due at midterm and the other at end of term.  I have prepared a list of General Interest Books in Computer Science : A list of 21 items You are to choose your books from this list, or talk with me if you have another book in mind.

Lectures:

CS110-Lec1.ppt

ScratchGettingStarted.pdf

Scratch Programs:

sharksandminnows.sb

spaceship-cat.sb

Homework Projects:

Scratch Project #1: Due Monday October 6.

Create an animated simulation game (such as mario-chase, predator-prey, or spaceship) in which you describe and implement a realistic physical environment. You should describe your physical simulation in the comment section of your program (making reference to Newton’s laws of motion), and include a description of how it was implemented. Your project should include several objects, be somewhat realistic, and lots of fun. Good luck.

Book Report #1: Due Oct 27

Develop a powerpoint presentation that examines one of the selected books in List . Your Presentation should list at least 5 big ideas discussed in the book, and there should be at least one slide that highlights each of these ideas.

Student Portfolios: