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UMUC-Europe Syllabus

Common Syllabus for CMIS102

Course Title:

Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design

Course Materials:

Venit, S., & Drake, E. (2007). Extended prelude to programming: concepts and design (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Course Description:

A study of techniques for finding solutions to problems through structured programming and step-wise refinement. Topics include principles of programming, the logic of constructing a computer program, and the practical aspects of integrating program modules into a cohesive whole. Algorithms are used to demonstrate programming as an approach to problem solving, and basic features of a modern object-oriented language are illustrated. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMIS 102, CMIS 102A, or CMSC 101.

Course Goals/Objectives:

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• trace the evolution of computing as a profession
• be aware of and uphold ethical principles in computing
• demonstrate and explain the execution of sequential, conditional, and iterative programming statements
• use the process of stepwise refinement to construct programs
• create and use functions and recognize the use of value and reference parameters
• document programs effectively and create and use test data
• create, compile, and execute simple programs written in a modern object-oriented language

Course Introduction:

This course provides an introduction to the design of solutions to computer-solvable problems. Students learn how to use data types, files, arrays, and subprograms, and basic programming control structures such as sequence, selection (decisions), and repetition (loops).

Also, students acquire a fundamental understanding of object-oriented programming design, concepts, and constructs, and then apply this knowledge through extensive practice of the Program Development Cycle. Though real-world examples, students learn how to analyze a problem, design a program to solve it, write the programming code to implement it, and test the solution to locate and correct programming errors.

Grading Information and Criteria:

The course grade will be determined as follows:

  Quizzes........20%
  Assignments....30%
  Midterm........25%
  Final..........25%

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

  90 - 100% = A
  80 - 89% = B
  70 - 79% = C
  60 - 69% = D
  Less than 60% = F

Other Information:

UMUC has an online guide to writing and research in available at http://tychousa.umuc.edu/writinggde/

Project Descriptions:

The projects, which consist of pseudo code, short Visual Basic, or short C++ programs, will include basic coverage of the following:

          data types and their uses
          algorithm development
          selection type statements
          looping type statements
          I/O concepts
          object-oriented programming

Academic Policies:

Cases of plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines.
See the UMUC policies at the following URL:
http://www.umuc.edu/policy/

Course Schedule:

Week 1
1st meeting: Chapter 0
2nd meeting: Chapter 1

Week 2
3rd meeting: Chapter 2, Assignment 1 due
4th meeting: Chapter 3, Quiz 1

Week 3
5th meeting: Chapter 4, Assignment 2 due
6th meeting: Chapter 4, Quiz 2

Week 4
7th meeting: Review for midterm, Assignment 3 due
8th meeting: Midterm exam

Week 5
9th meeting: Recap of first half
10th meeting: Chapter 5

Week 6
11th meeting: Chapter 6, Assignment 4 due
12th meeting: Chapter 7, Quiz 3

Week 7
13th meeting: Chapter 8, Assignment 5 due
14th meeting: Chapter 9, Quiz 4

Week 8
15th meeting: Review for final, Assignment 6 due
16th meeting: Final exam

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