COP 2800
Java Programming I

HCC bookstore on-line

Note there may be a possibly cheaper international edition.  Despite vendors claims, the content is not always exactly the same.

Grading scale:  A=90-100,   B=80-89,   C=70-79,   D=65-69,   F=0-64
(You can elect to “audit” the class during the add/drop period.)

• Course format is interactive lecture, with most projects done outside of class.
• No make-up exams will be offered without the prior approval of the instructor.  If a make-up exam is offered, you can take the exam in my office during my regular office hours, or from the Dale Mabry Testing Center.  (Check for their hours of operation, and make sure to give yourself sufficient time to complete an exam.  You will need to make an appointment to schedule a make-up exam.)
• Exams will be open book and open note multiple choice(mostly exams.  While the exams are non-cumulative, each does build upon knowledge acquired earlier.  Exams are based mostly upon material presented in class.  However some questions may be from assigned readings (the textbook and on-line resources).
• Exams will only cover material discussed in class or assigned as reading, before the exam.  Should the class fall behind the course schedule, some topics shown on the syllabus due for an earlier exam will be tested on the following exam instead.
• The schedule for the final week of the term may cause a conflict between our class schedule and another class's final exam.  It is up to you to determine if you will have a conflict, and to bring it to the attention of your instructor, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
• Regular attendance is imperative for the successful completion of this class.  The textbook and on-line resources should be considered as required course supplements; in other words, the course is not based on the text.
If you must miss a class, let your instructor know in advance and the class will be recorded, so you can watch it later.
• All phones, pagers, and beepers must be turned off during class time, except with prior permission of the instructor.  No food or drink is permitted in HCC classrooms.
• Attendance will be taken within 5 minutes of the start of class; after 4 unexcused absences and/or lateness, the student will lose 2 points off the final grade for each additional occurrence.
• If you miss a class, you are still responsible for the material covered in that class.  All students should exchange contact information (name, email address, phone number) with at least one other student in the class.  If you must miss a class, you should then contact another student and request they take class notes for you.  (Note, Hawknet has Hawkmail365 email for HCC students.)
• Credit for class participation includes attendance, preparedness, and adding to class discussions by asking questions and participating in discussions.  Playing computer games, surfing the Internet, or working on assignments for this or other classes during class time will lose you credit.
• Additional time outside of class will be required.  For typical students an average of between 8 and 12 hours each week outside of class are required for preparation, practice, projects, and homework assignments.
• Students are expected to prepare for each class by completing all reading assignments (including “common errors”, “advanced topics”, and all other sidebar material in the assigned chapter), reviewing examples and model solutions provided, and practicing outside of class.  This is important — you can't learn a skill such as Java programming only by attending class and reading books.  You must practice for several hours, a few days each week!  If you won't have enough time available, consider auditing the course.
• Students are expected to check the class website regularly.  Any syllabus changes, class cancellations, project or homework assignment changes are announced in class .
• A student shall not, without my express authorization, make or receive any recording, including but not limited to audio and video recordings, of any class, co-curricular meeting, organizational meeting, or meeting with me.  Further, you do not have my permission to post on the web or otherwise distribute my class lectures and other course materials.  (You can distribute freely any materials I make publicly available from the HCC (or the wpollock.com) website, without asking permission, provided you give me credit for the work and don't alter it.  Any other use will require expressly given permission.)
• Working together on individual assignments is considered as cheating!  Turning in someone else's work without giving them credit is also considered cheating (plagiarism).  Cheating will result in an automatic F (zero) for the project for all parties.  Also, you can only earn credit for your own work and not someone else's, even if you do cite your sources.  It is okay to ask a fellow student for class notes (in the event you miss a class) or for help in understanding the text or material given to the class (e.g., examples on the class website).  You are encouraged to study together as well.
• Because you can learn a lot from your peers, both in the class and in the broader community, I encourage collaboration with both.  However, do not mistake this as a license to cheat.  It is one thing to learn from and with your peers; it is another to pass their work off as your own.  With respect to writing code for this class:
  • You are expected to document any collaboration that takes place.
  • Absolutely no electronic transfer (or other copying) of code between students is permitted.
  • Any code that you “find” on the Internet must be cited, with an active link to that code.
  • While you are encouraged to engage in conversations in online forums, under no circumstances are you permitted to solicit other individuals to complete your work for you.  (So, no posting programming assignments or homework questions and asking for answers.)
  • Ultimately, YOU are responsible for all aspects of your submissions.  Failure to be able to explain and defend your submission will be treated as a violation of academic integrity.
• You must abide by the HCC Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for computers and services.  In particular, you must not run network scanners, or attempt to obtain administrator (“root”) privileges or otherwise disrupt HCC computers and services.
• You must follow the academic honesty policy and the student code of conduct for HCC.  A second cheating offense will result in an “F” for the course, and your name will be turned over to the dean for further handling.  I take these matters very seriously.  You have been warned!
• Every effort will be made to stick to the weekly schedule for our course.  However it may happen that we will fall behind the schedule at some point.  If so, no topics will be skipped.  Instead we will attempt to catch up over the following weeks.
• Please be aware that if we fall behind on the weekly schedule, the topics discussed may not match what shows on the syllabus.  The weekly schedule may (but probably won't be) updated in this case.
• In case we do fall behind, homework assignments are automatically postponed until the next class (i.e., homework assignments that show on the schedule as due the same day we discuss some topic, will be due the day we will discuss that topic in class).  Projects and exams will not be automatically postponed.  Should your instructor deem it necessary, projects and exams may be rescheduled; this will be announced in class and on the RSS feed.
• Communications Policy:  I will respond to your emails within 48 hours or two business days.  HCC policy is that grades can only be discussed in person during office hours, or via email only if you use your assigned HCC HawkNet (Hawkmail365) email account.
• No appointment is necessary to see me during my scheduled, on-campus office hours.  You can just “walk-in”.  You can make appointments for other times as long as I'm available.
• Occasionally my office hours will be canceled on short (or no) notice, for example if the dean calls me for a meeting.  Before driving out to campus just for my office hours, you should contact me the day before to make sure I still plan to be there.
• Late Policies:  Late assignments (homework assignments, projects, or exams) generally will not be accepted.  An assignment is late if not turned in by the start of class on the day it is due.

  Late assignments will be accepted late only if you obtain the instructor's permission prior to the due date of the assignment, or for a documented serious medical reason.  All late assignments are subject to a late penalty of at least one letter grade (10%) regardless of the reason for the delay.

  Projects and homework assignments later than one week will receive a more severe late penalty; very late assignments without adequate excuses will receive a grade of “F” (0).  However if you have a very good reason your instructor may waive any or all of the late penalty.  (Examples of good reasons include extended illness that prevents working, being out of town for work, or military service.  Remember, documentation will be required.)

• The dangers of the flu or another contagious disease require some changes to normal policies.  HCC has implemented the recommendations for institutions of higher learning of the CDC.  (See www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/ and www.flu.gov/ for guidance from the CDC.)  You won't need documentation if you miss class due to the flu.  (But if you think you have the flu, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.)  In the unlikely event of a school closure due to the flu, some plan to make up the missed work will be made.

  If you think you have the flu, stay home.  Do not come to HCC until 48 hours after your fever has broken as you are still infectious.  Also, people are infectious to others for a day or so before they have any symptoms.  Flu is spread by touching doorknobs, computer keyboards, railings on stairs, etc., that were touched by someone with the flu.  Avoid shaking hands; use the “fist shake” (touching of fists) if you must use a physical greeting.  The most effective way to avoid catching the flu is to wash your hands frequently, especially after touching something that was touched by others.  Avoid unnecessary touching of eyes, nose and mouth.  While not as good as properly washing hands, hand sanitizers have been installed throughout the campus; use them often.

Programming projects are graded according to their design (25%), how well they compile and run (20%), how well your project meets the requirements specifications (20%), the coding style (15%), the amount (and quality) of your comments (10%), and your creativity in extending the project usefully, or an innovative design that uses the features taught in class well, etc. (10%).

Projects are not graded immediately when turned in.  They are graded later, usually after the project deadline has passed.  Further details will be provided with your first project.  (See also submitting assignments below.)

You are encouraged to work together in small groups (two or three people) for the homework assignments, provided the names of all who worked together are listed.  Each student must still submit their own copy (so everyone gets feedback).

Homework assignment questions are intended to focus your studying of the readings and to stimulate class questions and discussion.  For this reason, they are generally due before the class where that material is covered.  It is not intended that students can answer all the questions assigned, but you must show you have thought about the questions and read the required material in order to earn a “B” grade or higher.