CSE 115 Introduction to Computer Science I Summer 2023
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CSE 115
Introduction to Computer Science I
Summer 2023
Department of Computer Science & Engineering / 338 Davis Hall – (716) 645-3180
Syllabus
Course Description:
Provides the fundamentals of computer science with an emphasis on applying programming skills to solve problems and increase human efficiency. Topics include variables, data types, expressions, control flow, functions, input/output, data storage, networking, security, selection, sorting, iteration, and the use of aggregate data structures such as lists and more general collections. No previous programming experience required.
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Describe how course topics are used to solve real-world problems.
2. Describe computational solutions to a problem they are given.
3. Read and trace code
4. Translate an algorithm to a working computational solution in one or more programming languages
5. Relate a new problem to prior examples and adapt the extant solution
6. Describe the source of a bug or failure in code
7. Explain the security impacts of course topics
Program Outcomes and Competencies
This course is required in both the BS Computer Engineering program, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, and the BS Computer Science program, accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET.
The course introduces students to the following EAC student outcomes, for which graduating students must demonstrate: (EAC- 1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
(EAC-4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
This course introduces students to the following CAC student outcomes, for which graduating students must demonstrate: (CAC- 1) Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
(CAC-2) Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
(CAC-4) Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
(CAC-6) Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Prerequisites:
Pre-calculus (MTH 115 or ULC 148) or appropriate math placement test scores or co-requisite of Calculus 1 (MTH 121, MTH 131, or MTH 141). If you are currently taking ULC147, ULC148, or MTH115 you have NOT satisfied this prerequisite!
Textbook:
There is no textbook for this course. You will be provided with all needed material via Piazza, Ublearns, and Autolab.
Computing Resources
You will be using various free on-line tools for this course – links are posted under the “links” section in UBlearns. Course-related communications must be via e-mail. Communications which are related to the course should be conducted via e-mail from your UB e-mail account or posted via Piazza. Always include your full name and an informative subject line for your e-mail. The email title SHOULD ALWAYS start with “CSE 115” . This allows me to quickly spot your email and help you out much quicker.
Piazza
This course will be utilizing a message board platform Piazza. You will receive an email signing you up for this platform at the end of the first week of this course (after Add/Drop). This is a place for you to ask questions regarding your code or the content of this class. If you are posting code be sure to make the post private. Sharing code or providing solutions to your peers will be considered a violation of academic integrity. This platform and its use will be discussed more thoroughly in the first week of class.
All communications with course staff (professors and teaching assistants) and fellow students are expected to be respectful and professional.
Course Requirements
The course has lecture, lab, and recitation components. If you do notparticipatefully in all you should not expect to do well in the course. Outside of the scheduled course times, both office hours and your own study times are critical elements of the course. If you are struggling with any of the course content, please reach out and ask for help ASAP. This is essential to your success, and I am happy to help you!
Lectures
The conceptual and theoretical course content will be delivered primarily in the live and recorded lectures. You are expected to watch all recordings/attend all lectures in a timely manner and take your own notes to prepare for later assessments. If you are out of class for an extended period because of sickness, notify your instructor as soon as possible. If you miss a significant portion of the semester, it is recommended that you resign from the course. This is a summer course which means that the content is a bit more compact than normal.
Recitations
Recitations will be conducted synchronously via Zoom. The recitation provides an opportunity for you to ask questions in a small group setting; the recitation leader will also ask questions to gauge how well the class is grasping course content. Attendance in all recitations is critical to your success in the course and is therefore mandatory: your recitation participation contributes to your overall course grade.
Labs
Labs will be held synchronously at your assigned time each week. Please attend your assigned section that you signed up for. Attendance in each section is a mandatory check-in period in which you can seek help on the week’s Lab assignment and ask questions. You will be expected to attend, and weekly attendance does contribute to your overall course grade. If you prepare ahead of time, then this is more than doable.
Time outside of class
Office hours offer you the opportunity to ask more individual questions about the course material than can typically be addressed in lecture. To make the most of office hours, please plan ahead. Office hours will be very busy around course deadlines and exams.
In this course, as in any course, you are expected to put in additional study time beyond the scheduled class times. Professors generally expect that for each credit hour a class carries a typical student will put in 2 – 3 hours of time each week outside of class. Since this is a 4-credit course that translates into 8 – 12 hours of time outside of lecture, lab, and recitation times, each week during a normal semester. As a rough guide, you should expect to spend at least the following time working on this course, each week: lectures (3 hours) – lab (2 hour) – recitation (~2 hours) – programming assignments, programming practice, and individual study (12- 16 hours). This is a condensed course, and as such we will be progressing quicker than in a normal semester. It is your responsibility to keep on top of the course content.
Course Requirements and Grading Policy
The following indicates the grade breakdown which will be used in assigning grades in the course. If adjustments are needed during the term, changes will be communicated via email to each student’s UB email address in accordance with university policy.
The course is graded out of 100% as follows. No extra credit will be given.
Requirement |
Quantity |
Percentage |
Details |
Dates |
Lab Activities |
8 labs in total |
30% |
Lab activities allow students to put into practice knowledge and skills presented during lecture |
Weeks 2-9 During your assigned lab time. |
Lab Attendance |
8 lab periods in total |
5% |
Students will attend their assigned lab section on Zoom for this portion of the grade. |
Weeks 2-9 |
Lab Practical |
1 lab practical during week 10 |
10% |
The lab practical will be a final lab assignment in week 10 that will be a culmination of the course content. |
Week 10 |
Recitation Attendance |
9 periods in total |
5% |
Recitation meetings are used to provide practice with the material in a team- based environment with plenty of TA support. Most topics will be covered in recitations before students will use them in labs. |
Weeks 1-9 |
Final Exam TBD |
1 |
30% |
A 110- |
Week 10 |
Weekly lecture activities |
9 weeks |
20% |
There will be quiz- style questions posted about the topics covered each week on UBlearns under assignments. Answers are due on UBLearns by the following Tuesday at 11:59pm. |
Each week starting in week 2. Opens Wednesday afternoon. DUE: Tuesday 11:59PM EST |
Making up wissap work:
Missed work will be handled in the following ways:
Recitations
Any absence must be properly documented. For documented absences meeting the university's excused absence standards (see https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/attendance.html), arrangements will be made to make up the missed work.
Lab activities and attendance
Any absence or missed work must be properly documented. For documented absences meeting the university's excused absence standards (see https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/attendance.html), arrangements will be made to make up the missed work.
Weekly lecture activities
No make-ups will be given for the weekly lecture activities on UBlearns; students are expected to keep up to date in the course. Two lectures per week will be live and recorded Zoom sessions (Monday and Wednesday). Students will have until Sunday at 11:59pm to answer several short quiz-style questions regarding the contents of the course that week.
Final exam
A missed exam can be made up only if the absence is legitimate and documented (see
https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/attendance.html). In the case of illness, you MUST visit a physician and obtain a note detailing the period during which you were medically incapable of taking the exam. Notify your instructor as early as possible in writing via email ifyou miss an exam, before the exam takes place unless medically impossible.
If you miss an examination without a valid excuse, you will receive a zero grade for that examination. No make-up examinations will be available without a valid excuse.
Lab Activity and Practical grading
Some project pieces and all lab activities are submitted for automated grading. When grading is automated, only your LAST submission counts towards your grade, NOT your highest-scoring submission. Submissions that do not comply with course policies will be scored as 0 retroactively.
Lab Practical Requirement
Your lab practical grade must be >=50% to pass this course. That is, you must receive at least 50% of the points overall in the final lab practical.
Written Exam Requirement
Your written exam grade must be >=50% to pass this course. The written exam component consists of one final examination. This final examination will be given during the last recitation period of the course.
Weekly Lecture Activity Requirement
Your lecture activity grade in total must be >=50% to pass this course.
Overall course grade
If you fail either the lab practical portion or written exam portion of the class, you will automatically receive a course letter grade of F.
Course grade cutoffs
The table below shows the mapping from course percentages to letter grades. We reserve the right to adjust the cut-offs lower (e.g., the cutoff for an A may be changed from 93% to 92% but would never become 94%).
Grade percentage |
Letter Grade |
Grade Percentage |
Letter Grade |
93%- 100% |
A |
70%-73% |
C+ |
88%-92% |
- |
65%-69% |
C |
83%-87% |
B+ |
57%-64% |
- |
78%-82% |
B |
50%-56% |
D+ |
74%-77% |
- |
<50% |
F |
Regrading
If you have a question regarding the grading of a piece of work, please contact the instructor of this course within one week of the grade having been received.
Incomplete (I) grades
A grade of incomplete (“I”) indicates that additional course work is required to fulfill the requirements of a given course. Students may only be given an “I” grade if they have a passing average in coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the course requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An “I” grade may not be assigned to a student who did not attend the course or chose not to complete a portion of the work.
Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an “I” grade and receive the instructor’s approval. Assignment of an “I” grade is at the discretion of the instructor.
The instructor must specify a default letter grade at the time the “I” grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not filed by the instructor. “I” grades must be completed within 12 months. Individual instructors may set shorter time limits for removing an incomplete than the 12-month time limit. Upon assigning an “I” grade, the instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to be fulfilled, and shall file a copy with the
2023-06-29