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Introduction to CS170

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• Class website
  • CS170 has multiple sections

  • Each section has its own class websites

  • URLs for different sections:

    Section 000: http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/~cs170000 Section 001: http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/~cs170001 and so on...

  • Class website contains:

    Information on its instructor and Teaching Assistant Lecture notes and slides Homework assignments Labs

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• Textbook
  • Textbook:

    No text book is required The lecture notes ( click here) contains all the necessary material

  • Reference material:

    Optionally, you can purchase the following book for reference purpose: "Introduction to Java Programming", by Daniel Liang (any edition can be used)

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• What is cs170 about
  • CS170 curriculum:

    Introduction to: The computer Computer programming concepts and principles Learn to solve problems using the computer as a tool Learn to instruct (tell) a computer what you want to do using the Java programming language UNIX operating system

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• Pre-requisite
  • CS170 Pre-requisite:

    High school Math No prior knowledge in Computer Science required Recommended: computer savvy (text editing, email, web browsing)

  • Keys to success:

    Good time management skill (keep up with homework and labs) Problem solving skills Work hard and work smart

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• Class Structure
  • Activities that determine your grade:

    6-9 Programming assignments Weekly lab exercises 2 Midterm exams A final exam

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• Class Policy
  • General class policy:

    Emory Honor Code ( http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/policy/honor_code.html) Math/CS Statement of Policy on Computer Assignments ( http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/spca.php)

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• Very important: Labs
  • Why is the lab important:

    The lab is an essential component of the course Purpose of the lab exercises: The first few labs will teach you how to use the UNIX system effectively. In some labs, you will learn new material (e.g., how to use a IDE) that are not discussed in class In other labs, you will practice the programming skills learned in class. Most labs contains assignments that you must turn in (and worth 10% of the overall grade)

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• Goal of the lab exercises

  • What the labs are not intended for:

    Lab exercises are not intended to test your knowledge in any material So if you ask for an answer, the Teaching Assistent (TA) will give it to you. In other words: There is no excuse for you to do poorly in these lab exercises.

  • What is the labs intended for:

    Fact: Computer skills are best learned by example ("show me how to do it") The lab exercises put you in new situations where you can learn new skills "hands on" with the help of TA's

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• Preparing for a lab

  • What students should do to get the maximum benefit from the lab exercises:

    Before coming to the lab session: Visit the lab webpage (each CS170 section has its own lab webpage that is linked to the class website) Read the related materials (see each lab assignment) before coming to the lab. Do the lab assignment as independently as possible (this will help re-enforce your computer skills). When you cannot figure out a problem, ask the TA's for help. Remember the solution shown by the TA (this is "hands on" learning)