ECS 30: Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving

Syllabus

• Instructor: Vladimir Filkov
• TAs:
• Nick Toothman.
• Lynn Zheng.
• Lance Simons
  
• Text: C for Scientists and Engineers, by Richard Jonsonbaugh and Martin Kalin.

• Learn how to use Unix operating system tools to develop and debug programs
• Develop expertise in using the C programming language
• Understand the process of writing efficient and robust programs to solve problems.

• Unix tools, including vi, make, and gdb, to develop and debug programs
• Algorithms: general concept, development of efficient algorithms.
• Programming in C
  • Scalar data types, concept of data type, standard and user-defined scalar types.
  • Simple Statements, arithmetic and boolean expressions, assignment statements, simple input and output statements.
  • Flow of control, repetitive statements, conditional statements, unconditional branching
  • Data structures: single and multidimensional arrays; character strings; structs.
  • Functions: general concept; declaration and calls; & and * operators; parameters; introduction to recursion.
• Software engineering: running, debugging, testing programs, building quality programs.

Math 16A or 21A (may be taken concurrently); prior experience with basic programming concepts recommended.

• There will be about 8 program projects/homework assignments, the lowest geade will be dropped.
• Written homework must be submitted in Room 2131 by 4pm on the date due.
• Programs will be submitted using the handin facility of Unix. Programs will be due at 11:50pm on the date due.
• Programs that do not compile on the CSIF machines will receive no credit!
• No late homework will be accepted!

At home via ssh (see the UC Davis at home handout), or in the CSIF labs. The Computer Science Instructional Facility, CSIF, is located in the West wing of Kemper Hall in the basement. The exact rooms are room 67, 71, and 75, with the CSIF Support being in room 47. The OS on the CSIF machines is Linux (a UNIX version). Note that regardles of where your work you must ensure your programs compile and execute on CSIF machines. If they don't, even if they work correctly on your machine, you will recieve no credit.

• First Midterm: April 18, 2011 (in class)
• Second Midterm: May 9, 2011 (in class)
• Final: June 8, 2011, 3:30 - 5:30 pm, 1322 Storer.

Grading Breakdown:

• Homework (programs and written): 25%
• Two midterm exams: 40% (20% each)
• Final exam: 35%

WARNING: Midterms and finals are heavily based on homeworks. If you don't work on homeworks yourself, you'll probably fail the midterms and finals.

Regrading is only considered within one week (7 days) from the date return.  The request must be submitted in writing to TA who graded it (email is OK). 

• Forum: Please use forum in smartsite to post questions and have discussions. The chat group can also be used, although TAs may not always check it---they will check the forum. However, on the chat group you may get quick answers from other students.
  
  
• Posting Policy: All general questions related to curriculum must be posted to the forum. Only topics of a personal nature can be emailed to TAs or the instructor. Such emails should have "ECS30" in the subject line. Emails not following these rules will probably end up in my SPAM folder, and may not be read.
  
  
• Class website: http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~filkov/classes/30 . All announcements will be posted here. BOOKMARK AND READ THIS PAGE REGULARLY! 

This is a programming intensive course so be prepared to work hard. Starting work early is critical to your success. You should use all resources available to you including lectures, discussion sections, office hours and smartsite. To do well in this course you must work on all homeworks on your own (discussing ideas are fine, sharing implementations is not). If you need help let us know as soon as possible, so you don't fall behind. Good luck.