CSCI 160 (4) Computer Science I A first year course in computer science. Topics include structured programming, top-down program design, procedures, recursion, and an introduction to dynamic data structures. (4:0:1) Prerequisite: Pre-calculus 12, MATH 152, or equivalent.

Course Overview
A first course in Computer Science. This course is intended to provide a student with an introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of programming, problem solving skills, and software development, using C++ as our programming language. Topics include structured programming, top-down program design, procedures, and an introduction to complex data structures.

Contact Information
Lecturer: Dave Wessels,
  - phone: 753-3245 extension 2436
  - email: David.Wessels@viu.ca

Office hours (in room 222, building 315):
  - Mon. 2:30-3:20, Fri. 12:30-1:20
If you need to see me outside office hours, please see me before or after class or send me an email to arrange an alternate time.

Timetable
Lectures (building 315 room 216):
  - Mon/Wed 11:30-1
  - Fri 11:30-12:30

Labs (building 356 room 340):
  - Mon. 4-5
  - Fri. 2:30-3:30
(Note that each student is registered in one of the course lab sections and must attend their registered section each week.)

Course Resources
Course website: the course website is csci.viu.ca/~wesselsd/courses/csci160/
Resources available on the site include this course outline, lab specifications, notes and examples on programming in C++ in a linux environment, links to other resources on programming in C++, and a course announcements page.

VIULearn: some course material, including but not limited to announcements and quizzes, will be provided through the course pages on VIULearn.

csci.viu.ca: the departmental linux servers will be used for much of the lab and project work this semester (details and instruction will be provided in the course lab sessions).

Textbook: there is no required text, but reference will sometimes be made to various online works
(see reference links at the bottom of csci.viu.ca/~wesselsd/courses/csci160/references.html .

Assessment
Lab exercises/assignments: 30%
Project: 10%
Quizzes: 30%
Final exam: 30%

To pass the course you must pass both the lab portion of the course (exercises/assignments) and the final exam.
Note that to use CSCI 160 as a pre-requisite for CSCI 161/162 a minimum C- is required in 160.

Topics

The planned course topics include, but are not limited to:

• Basic command-line skills with the linux operating system
• Basic syntax and semantics of a higher-level language (C++)
• Constants, variables, and literal values for primitive data types (e.g. numbers, characters, Boolean)
• Expressions and assignments
• Simple I/O including file I/O
• Functions and parameter passing
• Conditional and iterative control structures
• The concept of recursion
• Documentation and program style
• Top-down program design and incremental development
• Enumerated types
• Arrays
• Strings and string processing
• Structs and classes
• Pointers
• Dynamic memory allocation and release
• Intro to dynamic data structures

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Identify and explain the purpose of the basic components of a C++ program (such as variables, constnats, expressions, assignments, I/O, loops, conditionals, functions, parameters, recursion, structures and classes).
• Build simple C++ programs that correctly use any of the basic components.
• Analyze and explain the behaviour of simple programs using the basic components.
• Solve basic programming problems by determining and using appropriate programming tools and strategies.
• Describe and demonstrate the concepts of problem identification, algorithm design, implementation, testing, and debugging.
• Develop and follow a professional and consistent style for the writing of source code, based on a set of coding standards.
• Write programs that manage and use complex data structures.
• Create functions that effectively receive pass-by-value and/or pass-by-reference parameters and return values as needed.

Labs
You must be enrolled in and attend your weekly lab session, during which you will work on applying the concepts discussed in lectures. Each lab session will involve working toward the completion of one of the lab exercises, and some of the course quizzes will also be held in lab. Details on lab requirements, submission processes, and late penalties will be discussed in the labs and outlined on the course website.

Computer Accounts
To work on your labs, you will be given accounts on the computer science linux servers. There will be a computer science user id and password associated with your account, this is in addition to your VIU account.

Lab and Computer Usage Rules:
See https://scitech.viu.ca/computer-science/computing-resources - Lab and Computer Usage Rules

Code and documentation quality
A significant practical component of this course is learning to adhere to good principles and practices in the development of software and its accompanying documentation. As such, students will be expected to strictly adhere to code and documentation standards that will be provided for each lab exercise. Work that fails to follow the designated standards may not be accepted for grading, and/or may be significantly penalized.

Appeals of Grades:
Any exercise or examination grade may be appealed. However, the appeal must be made to the instructor, in writing and attached to the work in question, and within 7 days of the grade being made available to the class. The instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire piece of work submitted on appeal, not necessarily just the component that the student believes is in error.

Grade Conversion:
The following scale will be used but the instructor reserves the right to lower the numerical score required for a particular letter grade if that seems appropriate, but the same conversion will be applied to all persons in the class. Under no circumstances will the numerical score required for a particular letter grade be raised.

90-100	85-<90	80-<85	76-<80	72-<76	68-<72	64-<68	60-<64	55-<60	50-<55	<50
A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F

VIU's Disability Access Services provides services to students with Learning Disabilities, mental health disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, chronic medical conditions, and impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision.

If you have a disability requiring academic accommodations in this course but are not yet registered with Disability Access Services, please contact them at disabilityaccessservices@viu.ca or visit them in BLDG 200 (2nd floor). If you are already registered with DAS, please provide me with your accommodation letter, either in person during my office hours, or by email.

EDI Statement
VIU values human diversity in all its dimensions and is committed to achieving and ensuring learning and working environments that are equitable, diverse and inclusive.

Student Academic Code of Conduct (VIU policy 96.01)
All VIU students are required to familiarize themselves with, and adhere to, the Student Academic Code of Conduct

The official policies of Vancouver Island University can be viewed at www.viu.ca/policies