Fall 2022 Syllabus

Welcome

It is an exciting time to be in computing. Class personnel look forward to introducing you to it, so that you can help make the world a better place.

Course Mottos

We learn best, when we must invent. — Jean Piaget

Incredibly important — course goals

To develop computational thinking reasoning abilities and digital problem-solving skills so that you can better accomplish your life goals. Digital reasoning will be expressed using the Python programming language.

Amusingly important

Watch the movie What about Bob?. CS 1112 pedagogical strategy is based on the movie.

Utter importance

The mantra of our time is that change abounds — information and digital technologies are continually transforming our society. All fields of endeavor rely upon these technological advances for their own progress.

The concepts, materials, and skills that you you learn in this class will give you the ability to take problem in your chosen area and design an algorithmic solution, and if appropriate a program to help you work and think more quickly, easily, and reliably.

Most important — We are UVA!

Our University is built on the richness of our differences and recognizes that everyone is created equal and entitled to equal rights, dignity, and respect. We must repudiate all that violate these principles through hate and violence. Power-based personal violence can not be tolerated.

I and all course personnel are deeply committed to our university principles, and seek to make our class welcoming and safe to all.

In fact, everyone has a responsibility to do their part to maintain a safe community on Grounds. If you or someone you know has been affected by power-based personal violence or has their civil rights impeded, reporting options and resources available at the Office for Equal Opportunity and Rights.

As such, everyone is to treat everyone with respect at all times. Violations can result in withdrawal from the course.

Prerequisites

No prior programming experience

Committed to be daily, active participants

Formal objectives

Exercise and improve problem solving skills

Introduce computing fundamentals and an appreciation for computational thinking

Develop a mental model of a computer and network behavior

Impart understanding of the basic principles and concepts of object-oriented design and programming

Introduce important computing ideas and principles

Course acquisition (learning outcome)

Can use, develop and test interesting software that interacts with users, file systems, and the world-wide-web

Safety first

It is in the best interest of everyone in our community to keep the spread of infectious disease to a minimum. Students who are ill should stay away from classes. PLease email the instructor promptly in order to arrange extensions and makeups; otherwise, there due dates remain.

I ask people during lecture and office hours.

Principles

To participate fully in every class meeting

When possible to do with honor, help others learn and improve

When there is doubt about honorability, ask before doing

All assignments and exams are pledged

If something is awry, let us know

Get help before succumbing to frustration

Reading material

Our definition of computational thinking comes from Jan Cuny, William Snyder, and Jeannette Wing (see paper).

Computational Thinking is the thought processes involved in formulating problems and their solutions so that the solutions are represented in a form that can be effectively carried out by an information-processing agent.

For people who can handle an ebook consider The Coder's Apprenctice by Pieter Spronck. This resource considers many of the topics we will explore in this course, and often in the order we will explore them.

For people who require a physical book, consider Starting Out with Python 3rd Edition by Tony Gaddis (ISBN: 9780133582734). The book is not required, and no homework will be assigned from it. What the book provides is a good reference to the planned course topics. The book is no substitute to being an active note-taking, question-asking class participant.

There are also many freely available Python resources that we will make use of this semester.

One such resource is my Python Chrestomathhics. It is a work in progress.

Another such resource is the Hands-on Python Tutorial by Andrew N. Harrington. This resource considers many of the topics we will explore in this course, and often in the order we will explore them.

Another resource is Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart. This resource also considers many of the topics we will explore in this course. Something the instructors particularly like are the case studies Sweigart presents.

The University makes available through its Virgo library portal are Python ebooks containing more info on Python than we will ever need. One such book is Learning Python by Mark Lutz.

Special circumstances — one-time, occassional, and ongoing

Course personnel would like to see everybody succeeed. Students with medical issues or learning needs that might require support or accommodations please see me the first week of the semester so that the right arrangements can be made. You should also contact SDAC. This University resource has helped many students in the past to be more effective. Your tuition and fees are helping to support the center, so make use of it as appropriate. If SDAC has already approved a plan for you, I would appreciate you filling out a course form for me to give me details.

Students with a priori constraints (e.g., athletics, performances, conferences) please communicate them with me at the start of the semester.

Students who wish to request academic accommodation for a religious observance should first see me and then submit their request. Students with questions or concerns about accommodations for religious observance or religious beliefs should contact the EOCR office.

Students with emergencies must indicate them as soon as possible to the instructor and to their undergraduate dean’s office. The instructor will react appropriately.

Attendance

Everyone is expected to attend all classes and give each class their full attention.

Serious illness or death within your family, religious holidays and participation in field trips and athletic contests are all understandable reasons for missing class.

Outside materials

Code or answers taken or adapted from sources outside the class is not allowed.

Participation

Some assignments will be group efforts. There will be a component of the grading that measures participation. Failure to be an active, meeting-attending, contributing group member will result in a zero for the assignment.

Tentative assessment

Assignments: 16%

Testing: 84%

Test 1 : 42%

Test 2 : 42%

Grades

The Computer Science Department has set grading guidelines. They are as follows:

“A” is used for students who demonstrate mastery of all learning objectives. An “A” should be seen as a recommendation that the student would likely do well in areas that depend on these objectives in the future.

“B” is used for students who demonstrate competence in all significant learning objectives. A “B” should be seen as an acknowledgement that the student would be able to do well in areas that depend on these objectives in the future, but that their learning was incomplete; they are encouraged to review and improve in this topical area if it is a significant part of their future plans.

“C” is used for students who demonstrate sufficient competence in enough of the learning objectives that subsequent work can be contemplated. A “C” should be seen as a caution that some aspects of the course seem to be missing or misunderstood and that future efforts in areas that depend on these objectives are likely to be challenging unless those gaps are first filled.

“D” is used for students who demonstrate minimal competence in learning objectives, but not enough to recommend further studies or activities in related areas. A “D” should be seen as a prediction that future efforts in areas that depend on these objectives are unlikely to be successful unless the course that gave the “D” is first retaken.

“F” is used for students who failed to demonstrate minimal competence in learning objectives. An “F” should be seen as indicating that future efforts in areas that depend on these objectives should not be undertaken without first retaking the course that gave the “F”.

Misconduct or lack of professionalism may result in a lower grade than demonstrated competence would otherwise indicate. The scope and nature of such reductions, if any, may be determined independently for each course offering.

Students with a record of not completing assignments are subject to a full letter grade penalty.

The historic CS 1112 grading scale is below. Rounding will be limited to students with frequent class participation

A+ 100

A 95 - 99

A- 90 - 94

B+ 87 - 89

B 83 - 86

B- 80 - 82

C+ 77 - 79

C 73 - 76

C- 70 - 72

D+ 67 - 69

D 63 - 66

D- 60 - 62

F 0 - 59

Grades that are C- or better correspond to CR

Grades that are some of D correspond to GR

Failing grades correspond to NC

Honor

This class is built around all of us actively and honorably participating throughout the course. The course is dependent upon our community of trust and relies upon all class members to be faithful to it. Therefore, all assignments and exams are to be pledged.

That said we do encourage the discussion of ideas. Collaboration in the form of common discussion is an effective learning practice. One person sharing an assignment or test solution with another would not be collaboration and is not permitted.

That students follow class principles is what I truly expect will occur. Because there have been past exceptions to this expectation, the following notifications are necessary.

Using solutions or others work in whole or in part from current or previous semesters or outside repositories is a violation of course principles. In particular, code or answers taken or adapted from sources outside our class is a violation of course principles.

For individual-designated problems or exercises copying, sharing, or using improper resources is a violation of course principles.

For multi-person-designated problems or exercises, copying, sharing, or using improper resources outside of one's group is a violation of course principles.

Please be aware that there are sophisticated digital tools that the Computer Science department uses for analyzing solutions to ensure honorable efforts. These tools can compare solutions to those of current or prior semesters, as well as, external repositories.

Any violation of course pledge or principles can result in course dismissal, failing, and referral to the Honor Committee.

Consider that homework is only worth 18% of your grade and there will be approximately thirty assignments. Strategic thinking here indicates that the downside penalties makes violations not worthwhile. Because test violations will always result in maximum penalty, strategic thinking indicates again that the downside penalties makes violations not worthwhile.

Recording class sessions

All classes will be recorded and made available to class members.

Students are not allowed to record class meetings unless there is a specific SDAC accommodation.

Living document

This syllabus is to be considered a reference document that can and will be adjusted through the course of the semester to address changing needs. It is up to the student to monitor this page for any changes. Final authority on any decision in this course rests with the professor, not with this document.

The below material is common to all courses offered through the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Students with disabilities or learning needs

It is my goal to create a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you anticipate any issues related to the format, materials, or requirements of this course, please meet with me outside of class so we can explore potential options. Students with disabilities may also wish to work with the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) to discuss a range of options to removing barriers in this course, including official accommodations. We are fortunate to have an SDAC advisor, Courtney MacMasters, physically located in Engineering. You may email her at cmacmasters@virginia.edu to schedule an appointment. For general questions please visit the SDAC website: sdac.studenthealth.virginia.edu. If you have already been approved for accommodations through SDAC, please send me your accommodation letter and meet with me so we can develop an implementation plan together.

Religious accommodations

It is the University's long-standing policy and practice to reasonably accommodate students so that they do not experience an adverse academic consequence when sincerely held religious beliefs or observances conflict with academic requirements.

Students who wish to request academic accommodation for a religious observance should submit their request to me by email as far in advance as possible. Students who have questions or concerns about academic accommodations for religious observance or religious beliefs may contact the University’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) at UVAEOCR@virginia.edu or 434-924-3200.

Support for your career development

Engaging in your career development is an important part of your student experience. For example, presenting at a research conference, attending an interview for a job or internship, or participating in an extern/shadowing experience are not only necessary steps on your path but are also invaluable lessons in and of themselves. I wish to encourage and support you in activities related to your career development. To that end, please notify me by email as far in advance as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Student support team

You have many resources available to you when you experience academic or personal stresses. In addition to your professor, the School of Engineering and Applied Science has staff members located in Thornton Hall who you can contact to help manage academic or personal challenges. Please do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help!

Learning

Lisa Lampe, Director of Undergraduate Education

Blake Calhoun, Director of Undergraduate Success

Courtney MacMasters, Accessibility Specialist, cmacmasters@virginia.edu

Free tutoring is available for most classes.

Health and Well-being

Assistant Dean of Students, Student Safety and Support

Elizabeth Ramirez-Weaver, CAPS counselor

Katie Fowler, CAPS counselor

You may schedule time with the CAPS counselors through Student Health. When scheduling, be sure to specify that you are an Engineering student. You are also urged to use TimelyCare for either scheduled or on-demand 24/7 mental health care.

Community and Identity

The Center for Diversity in Engineering (CDE) is a student space dedicated to advocating for underrepresented groups in STEM. It exists to connect students with the academic, financial, health, and community resources they need to thrive both at UVA and in the world. The CDE includes an open study area, event space, and staff members on site. Through this space, we affirm and empower equitable participation toward intercultural fluency and provide the resources necessary for students to be successful during their academic journey and future careers.

Harassment, Discrimination, and Interpersonal Violence

The University of Virginia is dedicated to providing a safe and equitable learning environment for all students. If you or someone you know has been affected by power-based personal violence, more information can be found on the UVA Sexual Violence website that describes reporting options and resources available - www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence.

The same resources and options for individuals who experience sexual misconduct are available for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. UVA prohibits discrimination and harassment based on age, color, disability, family medical or genetic information, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status. UVA policy also prohibits retaliation for reporting such behavior.

If you witness or are aware of someone who has experienced prohibited conduct, you are encouraged to submit a report to Just Report It (justreportit.virginia.edu) or contact EOCR, the office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.

If you would prefer to disclose such conduct to a confidential resource where what you share is not reported to the University, you can turn to Counseling & Psychological Services (“CAPS”) and Women’s Center Counseling Staff and Confidential Advocates (for students of all genders).

As your professor and as a person, know that I care about you and your well-being and stand ready to provide support and resources as I can. As a faculty member, I am a responsible employee, which means that I am required by University policy and by federal law to report certain kinds of conduct that you report to me to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator's job is to ensure that the reporting student receives the resources and support that they need, while also determining whether further action is necessary to ensure survivor safety and the safety of the University community.

A+	100
A	95 - 99
A-	90 - 94
B+	87 - 89
B	83 - 86
B-	80 - 82
C+	77 - 79
C	73 - 76
C-	70 - 72
D+	67 - 69
D	63 - 66
D-	60 - 62
F	0 - 59