Colin Goble
Instructor, Computer Science
Information for Winter 2017

Colin Goble

 

 

 

Office: TCB 312 (Sylvania)
Contact Information: cgoble@pcc.edu
Office Hours (Winter 2017):
Online only

Winter term 2017

 

CS 133G Intro to Game Programming
CS 160 Intro to Computer Science

 

Personal Biography
To access all online classes please visit http://www.pcc.edu/ and select the MyPCC tab. Once you have logged in, click "Desire2Learn login" in the left hand column (Quick Links section) any time after 9.00am on the first day of term.

CS 133G is designed to be a survey course to introduce you to the world of computer game development. We will read about many aspects of the game industry and develop some elementary 2D games. As a prerequisite, you will need to be proficient in the use of Microsoft Windows. For example, you need to understand how to use Windows Explorer, how to download and install applications, and how to zip and unzip files. Other than that, you need only to have a passion for creativity, a desire to explore new worlds, and the overriding goal to have fun while you do it!

Note: It is essential that you have access to a computer capable of running the Game Maker software application. Typically, this will mean Windows 7 or later. I recommend you download and install the free version 7 of Game Maker now to be sure your computer is capable of running it successfully. Be sure you download it from here as this is the verion we will be using in class.

If you have a Mac then you need to run Windows for the Mac using Parallels or BootCamp

There are two books for CS 133G:

  1. Required: Game Development Essentials by Jeannie Novak (Thompson/Delmar Learning). Please be sure you get the third edition.
  2. Recommended: The Game Maker's Apprentice, Game Development for Beginners, by Habgood and Overmars (Apress).

CS 160 is designed as an introduction to the world of Computer Science. It offers an overview of a variety of topics, including computer design and architecture, algorithms, data structures, logic, and artificial intelligence. We will also explore the world of computer programming using virtual robots. You will program these to perform various "missions" in a world far, far away, and then watch your robot in action! It is really fun, and really rewarding!

Note: It is essential that you have access to a Windows computer capable of running the CeeBot software application. Although this is supplied free of charge to students enrolled in the class, it is an 80Mbyte download, so you will need access to a high speed internet connection to do this in a reasonable period of time. You will also need access to a moderately powerful Windows machine capable of running 3D graphics. I recommend you download and install the software now to be sure your computer is capable of running it successfully before term begins.

The required textbook is Computer Science, An Overview by J Glenn Brookshear and Dennis Brylow, 12th edition (Pearson).

CS 161 is an academically rigorous transfer class designed to be compatible with CS 161 as taught at PSU. It is generally not considered an easy class, and, for many students, represents a considerable investment of study and project time.

NOTE: I do NOT recommend you take this class online (DL) unless you are sure you have adequate prior preparation in computer programming to be successful. You should not register for the DL section if you are new to computer programming.

The required book for all sections of CS 161 is C++ Programming, From Problem Analysis to Program Design (3rd edition or later) by D. S. Malik (Thompson/Course Technology). The C++ compiler you will require is available as a free internet download from Bloodshed. Be sure you get Dev-C++ 5 Beta 9.2 (4.9.9.2), which is the latest release as I write this. Alternatively, you can use Microsoft Visual C++ Express if you prefer, although I do not recommend this for online students unless you are already familiar with its use as it is more sophisticated and complicated to use than Bloodshed.

Note: If you have registered for the DL section of any class, you are cordially invited to attend the in-class lectures for which I am the instructor (if one is being offered) if you feel this will help your learning of the material. Similarly, if you have registed for an in-class section for which I am the instructor, attendance at the lectures is not mandatory. You are welcome to participate on line, if you wish, or even switch back and forth between modes as your schedule and needs dictate. All sections for which I am the instructor will follow the same curriculum and schedule, and the work will be interchangeable.