CSCI 1500 – Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving – Spring 2020

Instructor: Ed Seifert Time & Room: TTh 10:30-11:45am, K3355

Office & Phone: K2617, 612-659-6420 e-mail: ed.seifert@minneapolis.edu
Class web page: http://sites.google.com/site/mctcseifert/
Office Hours: M-Th 8-8:50am & 10:10-10:25am, or by appointment.
Prerequisite: Math 80
Texts: Online notes; two free online textbooks will also be available for reference
Course Description:
This is a challenging introductory computer programming course intended for students who
have no programming experience and who are interested in learning about programming. The
course provides the student with an introduction to problem-solving and program design, and to
programming using the imperative features of the C++ programming language. This course is
not a language class – the emphasis of the course will be on problem-solving techniques
applied to computer programming.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you will have sufficient knowledge of problem-solving and basic
programming constructs to continue on to CSCI 1700, CSCI 1730, or CSCI 1733.

Topics To Be Covered:
Part 1 – Overview of Computers and Problem Solving: Computers and computer science; a
brief history of computing devices; hardware; writing programs; procedural versus object-
oriented programming; program design and pseudocode.
Part 2 – Introduction to C++: Punctuation and style; memory and assignments; interactive
programs; syntax errors; data types; numerical operators; arithmetic assignment
operators; constants; escape sequences.
Part 3 – Selection Using if and if-else: One-way selection; two-way selection; logical
operators; multiway selection using nested if-else statement; problem-solving.
Part 4 – Functions and Program Design: Predefined functions; library functions; writing value-
returning functions; program design and pseudocode for writing functions; void functions;
functions calling other functions; function stubs; reference parameters and data input
functions; reusing user-defined functions; more library functions.
Part 5 – The string Data Type and More Output Formatting: String variables; numeric output
in table form; tables with Strings in the first column; cin and cout are streams; reading
Strings with embedded whitespace; program design with Strings.
Part 6 – The Three C++ Looping Constructs: while loops and fixed-step lists; for loops and
fixed-step lists of data values; for loops for input; while loops versus do-while loops;
sentinel-controlled data input with while and do-while loops; debugging strategies; more
general task-controlled loops; using do-while loops to trap input errors; mid-loop exit
using the break statement; nested loops; fixed-step loops with floating point step.
Part 7 – More on Functions: Reference parameters and data input functions; variable
updating by using function calls; global constants; hand tracing; overloaded functions;
functions with default arguments.
Part 8 – The switch Statement: switch statement syntax; switch and menu-driven programs.
Part 9 – Arrays and the vector Class; 2-d Arrays: Arrays; vectors; parallel vectors; resizing
vectors; 2-dimensional arrays syntax and nested for loops
Part 10 – Structs: Basics of structs; vectors of structs; nested structs.
Part 11 – Recursive Functions: Writing and tracing recursive functions; using recursion to find
Fibonacci numbers; the Towers of Hanoi problem.
Classroom Format:
Classes will be a combination of lecture/discussion and question/answer sessions, and will
consist of presentation and discussion of C++ programming topics and problem-solving
examples. We will look at lots of example programs and run the programs in class. Students
should periodically check the class web page for course materials, assignments, and general
class announcements.
NOTE: Homework for this class will require at least six hours per week of your time and
will require the use of computers outside of the classroom for completion.

Course Requirements:
To pass this class, you will need to complete programming homework assignments and take and
pass a collection of in-class exams, along with a final comprehensive exam.

Grading Procedure:
Grades will be determined by points earned from homework assignments, written exams,
and a comprehensive final exam.
Homework: Regular homework assignments will be given. These homework
assignments will be collected and graded. Collectively, the homework
assignments will count 200 points.
Exams: Three written exams will be given during the semester and each will count
150 points. A tentative schedule of these exams is given on the next page.
Note: Make-up written exams will be given only under extraordinary
circumstances, when you have made prior arrangements with me.
Final Exam: A comprehensive written final exam will count 250 points. Note: No make-
ups will be given for the Final Exam.

Your final grade will be determined by the percentage of the points that you earn, as follows:
90–100% = A, 80–89% = B, 70–79% = C, 60–69% = D, 0–59% = F

Tentative Exam Dates:

Exam Date Material Covered
1 Thursday, February 7 Parts 1-3, design & pseudocode
2 Thursday, March 28 Parts 4-6, 7 (through reference parameters)
3 Tuesday, May 7 Parts 8-11, 7 (after reference parameters)
Final Exam Dates: May 14 & May 16 during regular class time
Course Policies:

• Calculator/Electronics Policy: Only scientific calculators may be used on quizzes, tests, and
the final exam. (A scientific calculator is one that can calculate the values of the standard
algebraic and transcendental functions, but cannot display graphs of functions or do
symbolic manipulation.) Usage of other electronic devices (smart phones, cell phones,
laptops, IPads, IPods, etc.) is not allowed during quizzes and exams. Students will need
to place phones on a table in the front of the room during quizzes and exams.

• MCTC research has shown a strong correlation between student retention and the use of
the college’s Alert System by instructors. Because of its proven effectiveness, MCTC has
been using the Alert System to help our students succeed in completing courses. If a
student is at risk of failing a course, faculty will send an electronic message to that
student and their advisor alerting the student of his/her standing in the class. This
message is intended as a friendly reminder that you are at risk of failing the course. If
you receive an Alert message, you should contact your instructor as soon as possible so
that you can improve your chances of success in the class. You can also expect to
receive communications from your adviser.

• Last Date of Attendance Policy: Students are expected to regularly attend classes in
which they are enrolled. Students who decide to stop attending should immediately
drop/withdraw from the course. This semester, the course drop deadline is January 17
and the course withdrawal deadline is April 24.

All students must demonstrate a satisfactory amount of academic participation in a

course in order to be considered having attended the course. For this course, “academic
participation” means putting forth a satisfactory amount of effort to achieve a successful
result in the course; specifically it includes the following:
o Attending class (including attending for the majority of the class period).
o Completing course exams and quizzes.

A student who stops attending the course and who fails to officially withdraw from the
course will be administratively withdrawn from the course at the time that he or she stops
participating in the course or if he or she never attends the course. Specifically:
o Students will be administratively withdrawn from a course if they do not
demonstrate a satisfactory amount of academic participation (based on the factors
given above) for a period of 14 calendar days, unless they have received approval
from their instructor.

Note: Contacting me by e-mail or phone does NOT count as attending class or as

academic participation in the class (except if either involves discussions of academic
subject matter).

Note: The student will remain responsible for any financial liability and for any academic
consequences due to this administrative withdrawal.

• If you elect to take this course Pass/Fail, be aware that to receive a “P”, you must earn a
letter grade of “C” or better.
• An Incomplete grade will only be considered for students who are passing the course
and who have an emergency situation occur late in the semester (after the course
withdrawal deadline).

• If you find a mistake on how an exam problem was graded, or if you think a problem was
graded unfairly, please ask me about the grading. But, questions on how exams were
graded must be asked within a week of when the exam was returned. After that, the
grading of exams will not be changed.

• Students are responsible for knowing about college policies regarding cheating, etc., and
deadlines for drop/adds, pass/fails, etc. Review the college catalog and student
handbook for details.

• MCTC is committed to providing equal access to education for all students. Students
who have a disability, or believe they may have a disability, are invited to contact the
Accessibility Resource Center as soon as possible to determine eligibility and/or request
accommodations. Please contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 612-659-6730,
accessibility@minneapolis.edu, or stop by T2400

• This document can be made available in alternative formats if requested.

• MCTC is dedicated to assisting veterans and eligible family members in achieving their
educational goals. Military members who are currently serving should advise their
instructor of all regularly scheduled military training and duties that conflict with
scheduled course requirements. Instructors will work with the student to address issues
that arise. For further information on this, refer MnSCU Procedure 5.12.1 Military Service
and Disabled Veterans at http://www.minnstate.edu/board/procedure/512p1.html

• MCTC is dedicated to our core values of diversity and inclusion, including non-
discrimination on the basis of religion. You should provide your instructors with
reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which you will be absent. Absence
from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve you from
responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence, but it
is the responsibility of your instructors to make reasonable accommodations so you do
not need to choose between religious observance and academic work.
Campus Resources:

• Academic Success Center ~ T3200

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the free tutoring support offered in the
Minneapolis College Academic Success Center, located in room T3200. The Center
provides individual tutoring, a computer lab with helpful staff, and access to a wide
variety of resources. It also serves as a dedicated space to work on coursework with the
support and encouragement of peer and professional tutors. Students can schedule an
appointment in-person, online, or by calling 612-659-6140. The Academic Success
Center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

• Resource and Referral Center ~ T2300

The Student Support Center is a place for current MCTC students to access many non-
academic support services or get referrals for additional assistance. They can help with
free counseling services, referrals for emergency shelter, housing resources, food
shelves, childcare and parenting support resources, healthcare, chemical and mental
health programs and more! The Center also houses the Office of Student Rights and
Responsibilities, which offers help to students who are considering filing a concern,
complaint or grievance. The Center also offers a mediation program, R.O.O.T. Resolving
Our Own Troubles. Stop by to learn more or if you have resources to share!

• Student Health Clinic ~ H3400

Boynton Health Service provides quality healthcare services by medical professionals on
campus to all enrolled MCTC students at the Student Health Clinic. We treat students for
common illnesses and injuries, testing (laboratory and x-ray on site), routine medical
exams, and mental health services. Most services are free!

• Accessibility Resource Center ~ T2400

See above for more details.

• AME ~ H2650
The African American Education Empowerment Program (AME) consists of four distinct
programs to create opportunities for the educational success of students of color who are
attending Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC). Each AME program
contributes to the retention, graduation and personal growth of students and empowers
them to develop leadership skills through their education, mentoring opportunities and
involvement in the college community, society, nation and world.

• American Indian Success Program ~ H2604

The American Indian Success Program is designed to support and foster the educational
success of American Indian students attending Minneapolis Community and Technical
College (MCTC). Our goal is to create a strong and united cultural community on campus
that contributes to the retention, graduation and personal growth of Native students. The
program provides comprehensive support services, from admission to graduation, that
specifically address the needs of American Indian students and affirm their Native
cultural identity.
• Veterans Welcome Center ~ H2300
This room is a location for veteran students to relax, socialize and do homework. Staffed
by student veterans, you will find peer information and support as well as computer labs
available for your use. This is also a meeting room for the MCTC Chapter of the Student
Veterans of America.

• MCTC Library ~ L Building first/second floors (Wheelock Whitney Hall)

MCTC Library supports students in their academic pursuits by providing access to print
and electronic resources, by offering virtual (chat, email, text) and in person research
help, and by making available a variety of spaces for silent, solitary, and collaborative
study. At the Circulation Desk, students can check out course reserves, laptops, and
headphones. Additional features of the MCTC Library include: “A Room to Breathe”: a
space for mindfulness practice, borrowing materials from other libraries, and a one-of-a-
kind zine collection. For more information including hours, staff directory, and links to
resources, visit: library.minneapolis.edu
Note: A copy of the textbook and student solutions manual for the textbook are on
reserve in the library.

• Bookstore ~ T1800

• Computer Technical Assistance ~ T3200