SYLLABUS
Fast Links: FAQ's | Meeting Times | Textbooks | Grades | Academic Integrity | Students with Disabilities
15110 is a course in fundamental computing principles for students with little to no computing background. The course covers the following topics:
- Programming constructs: sequencing, selection, iteration, and recursion.
- Data organization: arrays and lists.
- Use of abstraction in computing: data representation, computer organization, computer networks, functional decomposition, and application programming interfaces.
- Use of computational principles in problem-solving: divide and conquer, randomness, and concurrency.
- Classification of computational problems based on complexity, non-computable functions, and using heuristics to find reasonable solutions to complex problems.
- Social, ethical and legal issues associated with the development of new computational artifacts will also be discussed.
NOTE: Speak with your advisor about whether you are required to take 15110 or 15112 (Fundamentals in Programming) or both if you are unsure about which course you should be taking.
We are compiling a list of frequently asked questions and our responses. If you cannot find the answer to your question on this list, please send email to: guna@cs.cmu.edu or dilsun@cs.cmu.edu
| Question | Answer |
| Some of my GRADES are missing from autolab. What do I need to do? | Few steps to take 1. Contact your TA and ask why all or some grades are missing. 2. If the issue is not resolved within a day or two, send email to instructors (guna at cs.cmu.edu or dilsun at cs.cmu.edu with copy to TA stating the following: Which grades are missing? Your SECTION? |
| Can I switch my recitation section? | Yes, as long as we have enough space in the new recitation. You must make an official change of recitations through SIS. |
| I must be out of town for university related event (eg: member of a team). What should I do about my assignments? | If you have an OFFICIAL excuse we will make special arrangements for you to submit the assignment. Please contact the instructor. |
| I missed one of the lab sessions. Can I still submit my lab assignment? | No. However, you can drop two labs and we will count this as one of them. |
| I am out of town attending a family/important event . How can I submit my assignments due for the week? | programming assignment can be submitted online. The written assignment must be scanned and send as an attachement to your TA before the due date . However, we can only allow you to do this one time during the semester |
| I missed the in class exam because I fell sick. What should I do? | You must immediately seek medical treatment and receive an official medical excuse. You must also contact the instructors PRIOR to the exam. If you can produce that we can make arrangements to give you or makeup test. Otherwise we will be unable to make any exceptions. |
| I need to discuss my performance in the course with someone. What should I do? | You must immediately contact one of the instructors of the course. They will be able to assist you in dealing with the situation. |
| What is the BEST way to prepare for an in class exam? | If you are attending lectures and doing homeworks, you must be well prepared. All you need to do is to review all lectures, and class assignments. We also regularly offer help sessions before the exam and plan to attend one of them. |
| I am failing the course. Is there any extra work I can do to get a passing grade? | Unfortunately, in a large class like ours, we cannot make exceptions. Best way to avoid this situation is to talk to one of the instructors ASAP to find out what you need to do. Do not wait till last few weeks of classes to discuss your performance. |
| I want to add this course. Is it possible to do it? | You can only add a course during the first two weeks of classes. We do not accept any new students after the second week. However, you are welcome to audit the course, provided we have enough space. Please consult an instructor. |
| How can I find my grades? | All your grades are available on autolab. We will make frequent announcements in class when grades are released. Be sure to check often your grades and talk to the TA if they are missing. You can expect all assignment grades to be available at most 2 weeks after they were due. But we make every effort to release grades one week from due date. |
| I have questions about my assignments that are due soon. How do I get help? | You can go to one of the office hours to receive help from cluster CA's or from instructors. You can also post your question to Piazza to get a response. |
Meeting Times
You are required to go to your assigned lecture and lab. Since part of your course grade depends on lab participation, you must go to your assigned section to get lab credit.
| Lecture 1 | MWF 2:30PM-3:20PM | GHC 4401 |
| Lecture 2 | MWF 3:30PM-4:20PM | GHC 4401 |
Lab Sections and Course Assistants
You are required to go to your assigned lecture and lab. Since part of your course grade depends on lab participation, you must go to your assigned section to get lab credit. To email your CA directly, you can send mail to their andrew ID "at" (@) andrew.cmu.edu .
| SECTION | DAY/TIME | ROOM | COURSE ASSISTANT | ANDREW ID |
| A | R 9:30AM-10:20AM | GHC 5205 |
Jonathan Yee Kathy Yu |
jyee1 kyu1 |
| B | R 10:30AM-11:20AM | GHC 5205 |
Jeffrey Yan Benjamin Lam |
jyan bklam |
| C | R 11:30AM-12:20PM | GHC 5205 |
Benjamin Lam Gabriel Hobeika |
bklam gph |
| D | R 12:30PM-1:20PM | GHC 5205 |
Lawrence Tsang Jack Biggs |
ltsang jbiggs |
| E | R 1:30PM-2:20PM | GHC 5205 |
Andrew Yee Corinne Clinch |
ajyee cclinch |
| F | R 2:30PM-3:20PM | GHC 5205 |
Yihuan Zhou Carrie Purta |
yihuanz cpurta |
| G | R 3:30PM-4:20PM | GHC 5205 |
Forrest Richmond Yihuan Zhou |
rrichmon yihuanz |
| H | R 9:30AM-10:20AM | GHC 5201 |
Michael Hansen Alekhya Gampa |
mhansen1 agampa |
| I | R 10:30AM-11:20AM | GHC 5201 |
Avia Weinstein Corinne Clinch |
aweinste cclinch |
| J | R 11:30AM-12:20PM | GHC 5201 |
Vivian Chang Carrie Purta |
vchang cpurta |
| K | R 12:30PM-1:20PM | GHC 5201 |
Vishal Jeet Gabriel Hobeika |
vjeet gph |
| L | R 1:30PM-2:20PM | GHC 5201 |
Patrick Yurky Soyoung Yoon |
pyurky syoon1 |
| M | R 2:30PM-3:20PM | GHC 5201 |
Eshan Chordia Eric Gottlieb |
echordia egottlie |
| N | R 3:30PM-4:20PM | GHC 5201 |
Eric Gottlieb Alekhya Gampa |
egottlie agampa |
Course Textbooks
The following textbook is required. Additional information about each topic we cover in class is found in this textbook so if you want to get a better understanding of the course material, you are encouraged to read the corresponding sections of the textbook. Three copies of this textbook are available on reserve in the library in Wean (4th floor) for use in the library only.
|
Explorations in Computing: An Introduction to Computer Science by John Conery Publisher: CRC Press (2011) ISBN: 978-1439812624 |
This textbook is available in the campus bookstore. The book is also available from CRC Press directly at a 20% discount (use discount code 888FX at checkout) or as an e-book directly from Vital Source at a 31% discount.
In addition to the course textbook, there will be additional readings from the following book:
|
Blown To Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness after the Digital Explosion by Hal Abelson, Ken Ledeen, and Harry Lewis Publisher: Addison-Wesley (2008) ISBN: 978-0137135592 |
This book is available FOR FREE from http://www.bitsbook.com/. You can buy a hardcopy of this book if you wish from any major bookseller.
Course Grading
All assignments must be handed in on time (unless you are
given instructions otherwise).
Late or missing work will receive a 0.
The reason this is
done is so that we can get feedback to you as quickly as
possible so you can learn from your mistakes and prepare for the exams.
Additionally, it allows us to post a sample solution
as soon as possible for the benefit of all students.
We will drop 1 written assignment
and 1 programming assignment with the lowest grade (except where noted) provided that you have submitted the assignment and demonstrated that you have made a reasonable effort to complete it. You are required to provide documentation if you could not submit an assignment due to a legitimate reason (e.g. major illness, death in
immediate family, university-sanctioned event
with verification from advisor/coach, etc.).
You must take all exams (written and lab exams)
at the times they are given. NO MAKEUPS FOR EXAMS
will be allowed except for acceptable documented
circumstances such as the ones listed above.
Your course grade will be calculated based on the following:
Homework Assignments: 30%
Lab Participation: 5%
2 Lab Exams: 10% (5% each)
3 Written Exams: 30% (10% each)
Final Exam: 25%
Grades from all assignments and exams may be reviewed for up to 5 days after they are returned/posted. After this period, the grade is considered final and cannot be changed. We reserve the right to review an entire assignment/exam if it is submitted for re-grading.
The value of your degree depends on the academic integrity of yourself and your peers in each of your classes. It is expected that, unless otherwise instructed, the work you submit as your own will be your own work and not someone else's work or a collaboration between yourself and other(s).
Please read the University Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism carefully to understand the penalties associated with academic dishonesty at CMU. In this class, cheating/copying/plagiarism means copying all or part of a program or homework solution from another student or unauthorized source, knowingly giving such information to another student, or giving or receiving unauthorized information during an examination. In general, each solution you submit (program code, written homework or exam) must be your OWN work. In the event that you use information written by another person in your solution, you must cite the source of this information (and receive permission if required).
Your course instructor reserves the right to determine an appropriate penalty based on the violation of academic dishonesty that occurs. Violations of the university policy can result in severe penalties including failing this course and possible expulsion from Carnegie Mellon University. If you have any questions about this policy and any work you are doing in the course, please feel free to contact your instructor for help. Every student is required to sign and return the Academic Integrity Form within the first week of classes.
Individuals with documented disabilities may be eligible to receive services/accomodations from CMU's Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) office. For more information, please contact Larry Powell, Manager of Disability Services at (412) 268-2013 (voice/TTY).