COSC175
Summer 2016

Table of Contents

Faculty Contact Information

Email is the best way to contact me. Posting and answering questions on the Facebook Group, GenCyber SPLASH 2016, is encouraged. Virtual appointments are welcome for live interaction - email me to set up a time.

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Course Description

This is an introductory course in structured programming logic. Students will learn to analyze problems; define data using simple data types and arrays; and create algorithmic solutions using basic control structures (sequence, selections, loops) and functions.  Successful completion of this course will satisfy the programming prerequisite for COSC236.

In this course, you will learn to systematically break down a problem into manageable parts; plan and design logical solutions; and write effective, structured, and well-documented instructions. Emphasis will be on problem-solving approaches (algorithms) and the fundamental concepts and programming techniques common to modern computer languages including variable assignment, expressions, input/output statements, loops, if-then-else and case constructs, functions, arrays, etc. While C++ will be used to build working programs, the concepts learned in this course are applicable to multiple modern programming languages.

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Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the software development process.

2. Understand that security has to be a consideration from the point of initial design and throughout the lifecycle of a product

3. Analyze problems and design structured solutions

4. Understand, create, and apply simple data types and arrays.

5. Identify common coding errors such as buffer overflow and integer error that lead to insecure programs 

6. Create algorithmic solutions using basic control structures (sequence, decisions, loops) and functions.

7. Understand the importance of input validation and be able to write correct input validation code

8. Compile, execute, and run simple programs (in C++)

9. Understand the importance of secure and responsible programming.

10. Conduct a personal code review (focused on common coding errors) on a program component using a provided checklist

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Course Prerequisites

None

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Course Attendance and Participation Policy

Student Participation: Active participation is expected and encouraged.

Software Requirements

• We will be using C++ for the labs, and the Cloud 9 development environment. See the instructions for using C++ in Cloud 9, a free online environment.
• Submit all homework and labs in Microsoft Word format using the submit feature in Blackboard.

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Required Course Materials

An Introduction to Programming with C++ by Diane Zak,Thompson Course Technology, recommended but not required.

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Tentative Course Schedule

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Grading and Exam Policy

• Submission  
  • All homework and lab assignments are submitted as Word documents.
  • All homework and lab assignments are submitted via Blackboard.
• Homework Assignments
  • No late homework will be accepted.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to work in pairs for homework whenever possible. Each student is responsible for submitting the homework, with or without their partner.
• Lab Assignments
  • No late labs will be accepted.
  • For each lab, submit all parts, including program, output, and answers to questions in one Word document.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to work in pairs for all lab work. One student should drive (type) and one student navigate (read and review). Switch roles often.
• Tests, Quizzes, and Exams
• If you miss a test or quiz, you must notify me within 24 hours, or your grade will be 0.
• All tests are open book, open notes.
• Make-up Exam Policy
  • Make-up exams will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).
  • The instructor reserves the right to create alternate make-up exams for students who are not able to take the scheduled exams.
  • Exams cannot be made up after the exam date has passed unless prior arrangements have been made.
• View your Grades
  • All grades will be available in Blackboard. View "My Grades" from the course homepage.
• Check your grades! Any corrections must be reported and resolved prior to the last day of classes.
• How your Grade will be Determined

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 Other Policies and Procedures

Special Needs - Students having special needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act should:

• Notify the Office for Students with Disabilities as early in the term as possible.
• Notify the instructor after you have contacted the Office of Disability Services of any reasonable accommodations that would be appropriate for your situation.

Academic Honesty

• Each student's academic work must be the result of his or her own thought, research, or self-expression.
• Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying the work of another person (plagiarism) or permitting your work to be copied by another person, discussing test answers or questions with people who have not completed the test, distributing assignment materials to other students, posting course materials that have not been formally released to students in the course, and collaborating on the completion of assignments not specifically designated in the syllabus as being group projects".
• Please  refer to the Undergraduate Catalog, Appendix F for the Academic Integrity Policy. Cheating  may result in academic penalties (zero points on the assignment/test in question, a failing grade for the course), disciplinary action, and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Affairs. Examples 1) If it appears that two or more students have submitted the same material for any solo assignments, each student involved will receive zero points for that assignment. 2) If it appears that a student has copied an assignment from published material (including Internet sites), the student will receive zero points for that assignment.

Copyright

• The materials used on this course Web site may be protected by copyright and are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Withdrawals: The withdrawal date can be found at http://www.towson.edu/registrar/calendars/

Accessing Blackboard

• https://blackboard.towson.edu
• You can access the syllabus directly at: http://spot.pcc.edu/~ctang/splash/175syllsu16.htm

Facebook

• You are welcome to join the Facebook group especially created for this class: GenCyber SPLASH 2016
• This group allows you to connect with classmates, post and answer questions, or discuss topics relevant to the course.

Department Resources

• Visit the department web page at : http://cis1.towson.edu/~cisweb
• Resources are available for COSC students. See Student Resources

Changes to the Syllabus

• The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus.

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