CSC015 Fundamentals of Computer Science I:

• Course Info
• Objectives
• Instructional Staff
• Textbooks
• Software
• Grading
• Homework
• Policies
• Syllabus

Course Info

• Lecture: Tues & Thurs 11:10AM to 12:35 PM
• Lab: Wed 12:45-2:35PM

Objectives

Instructional Staff

Professor: Dr. Knarig Arabshian
Email: knarig.arabshian@hofstra.edu
Office hours: Tues/Thurs 12:40-2:10 PM
Office Number: Adams 115.

Textbooks

• Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science 2nd Edition Paperback by John Zelle and Michael Smith

Software

• Windows: If you are running on a Windows machine, follow these directions to install Cygwin
• Mac: Macs already come with a terminal program. Go to Applications->Utilities->Terminal.

If you are working on your assignments in the lab and need to access your files, you can do so via sftp.
Download Filezilla and set up an sftp connection.

Alternatively, you can use the sftp command:

• Open terminal
• cd to the directory you want to download your files
• Login command is similar to ssh command, except replace ssh with sftp. Example: sftp -p 5010 adams20401.hofstra.edu
• cd to the directory where your files are
• to download files: get filename
• to upload files: put filename

• Download the software
  • Windows: https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/
  • Mac already comes with a pre-installed python software. To update it, go to https://www.python.org/download/mac
• Go to the Python folder
• Open the idle editor
• Instructions here do a pretty good job of explaining how to use the idle editor and run your python program:
  • Windows users check this: http://www.annedawson.net/Python_Editor_IDLE.htm
  • Mac users check this: http://anh.cs.luc.edu/python/hands-on/3.0/IdleOnMac.html
• Here are a few more development environments you can use for python programming. It includes instructions for Windows/Mac/Linux.
  
  • Pycharm: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
  • http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/ex0.html

Grading

• Attendance ("Thinking Question" given first 10 minutes of each class) -- 5%
• 4 Quizzes (Closed book; will count top 3) -- 15%
• 10 Assignments (will count top 7) -- 45%
  
• Midterm Exam (Open book) -- 15%
  
• Final Exam (Closed book) -- 20%

Homework

Programming Assignments: submit through Blackboard. Instructions can be found here.

Policies

• Cheating and plagiarism: will not be tolerated in any capacity. All work in this class is to be done on your own unless otherwise specified. Please read Hofstra University's policy on academic integrity for more details.
• Grade Change Request:
  
  • Write out an explanation as to why the grade was incorrect and staple it to the original assignment/exam and submit to me
  • If your explanation is correct, I will change your grade
  • You have up to THREE DAYS to submit a grade change request
• Lateness: Up to three days to submit an assignment
  • 1 day late 25% deduction
  • 2 days late 50% deduction
  • 3 days late 75% deduction
• Email: is the best way to contact me. Make sure you put [CSC015] in the subject heading so I will notice your email.
• Feedback: Send me feedback on the course at any point in time and I will consider your input.

Exam Schedule:

Schedule (tentative)