Syllabus and Grading

Class Outline

The class will be built around writing simple computer programs in Python. In earlier quarters we've written programs to show how the battleground states could swing the election, mapped economic data by California counties, and charted the popularity of baby names. There will also be short-answer homework problems, which should help prepare you for the tests.

Writing these programs will give you a good understanding of computer programming, including interacting with the user and responding appropriately to user behavior, using data files, and organizing a program and the data it uses. You should be able to write useful Python programs by the end of this class, and you should be able to learn other languages as needed - they all mostly express the same concepts with different syntax.

Grading

The grades for this course will follow a formula:
Programs and Homework 36%
2 Midterms 36%
Final 28%
The test scores will be graded on a curve, but not the programs or homework.

You will be allowed to use the textbook and all your notes in the midterms and final. No calculators, computers or phones.

Late Assignments

  1. Since things do come up, we will allow one assignment to be handed in up to ten days late.
  2. Any further late assignments will not be graded.
  3. Since we are accepting late assignments, we will not be handing out solutions to the programs.

Regrading requests

We will not consider regrade requests on programs except under very unusual circumstances. There is a subjective component to grading a program, just like grading an essay, and the grader's opinion is final.
If you think we have made a mistake in grading an exam, please submit a request to Prof. Amenta, in writing, within a week of getting the exam back. Explain clearly and specifically what you think the error is.

Health Concerns

A significant H1N1 flu outbreak is likely early this quarter. If you get a high fever due to the flu, please do not come to class or lab for at least 24 hours after your fever has broken. If you must miss a midterm due to illness, please let Prof. Amenta know by email, and we will schedule a makeup exam.

If you are find yourself coughing in class, please cough into a tissue or your elbow, rather than into the air or onto your hands. This really does help prevent infecting others. You are probably still infectious for three days after your fever ends.

The professor or TAs may ask you to leave if you seem very ill, to avoid infection.