Prerequisite: CIS 100 or permission of instructor.

Fall 2012

Time:  Mondays & Wednesdays 4:20pm-6:00pm

Location: Salazar Hall, Room C363

URL: http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sxing

Instructor:

Song Xing, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Information Systems
Office: Simpson Tower, Room 605
Phone: (323)343-2917
Email: sxing@calstatela.edu
Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sxing

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 2:15pm-4:15pm. Send the instructor email for an appointment for other times. 

Objectives: 

This course will provide an introduction to the Java programming language and the techniques for writing high-quality programs. It helps students to develop problem solving skills and solve problems using programming languages. Students are introduced to fundamentals of programming with emphasis on primitive data types, control statements, methods, arrays, Java graphics, and Applets. Students will also learn object-oriented programming by reusing software through a collection of Java predefined classes and developing their own classes.

The goals of the Introduction to Application Programming are that students, by mastering the topics presented in this course, gain valuable problem solving skills and programming techniques that will enable them to become proficient in elementary programming.

Textbook: The text listed below is an optional learning supplement for the course. The detailed lecture slides will be posted on the Lectures page of the course web site before the class begins.

• John Lewis and William Loftus, Java Software Solutions: Foundations of Program Design, 7th Edition, Addison Wesley, 2012, ISBN: 0132149184.

Tentative Topics:

1. Introduction to computer systems and Java.

2. Using data within a program.

3. Object concepts.

4. Creating classes and methods.

5. Branching statements.

6. Programming with loops.

7. Arrays.

8. Applets.

9. Graphics.

The schedule of lecture topics and reading assignments is listed on the Schedule page of the course web site. The References & Other page of the course web site also lists many useful links for helping people to study the course.

Software Tools:

The course requires Java SE (Standard Edition) Development Kit (JDK) to develop and run Java applications and applets. The web link for JDK downloading and the instructions of installing and using JDK can be found from the References & Other page of the course web site. Typical Java Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and their web links for downloading can also be found from the same page. The Java IDEs provide tools that support the software-development process, including editors for writing and editing programs and debuggers for locating logic errors—errors that cause programs to execute incorrectly. Be sure to install JDK on your computer before installing and running the Java IDE.

Java Programming Tutoring:

There might be free Java programming tutoring offered by the CIS department. The tutors' contact and their office hours will be posted on the Homework page of the course web site if they are available.

Grading:

There will be regular homework assignments, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. A final grade will be determined using the following weights: Homework 12%, Mid-term Exam 40%, Final Exam 45%, Class participation and attendance 3%.

There are no research project assignments for this course.

Homwork:

Homework assignments must be done individually. Failure to do so will result in a violation of the Academic Honor Code. The following cases will be considered as violations: identical code or extremely similar code. Source file printout must be submitted to the class on the due day regardless its status (complete or incomplete). The extension of the homework due day is possible and will be announced in the class. People who submit the homework on time will earn extra credits if there is an extension. However, any submission will not be accepted after the homework sloutions are posted online.

Exam:

The tentative date for the mid-term is Oct 24, Wednesday, 4:20pm-6:00pm. The final exam is scheduled for Dec 3, Monday, 4:30pm-7:00pm.

The exams will contain the True/False questions and Multiple Choice questions.The final exam will have a couple of additional small questions. But the final exam is not cumulative and it will only cover the material talked after the mid-term exam. The study guides and exam sample questions will be posted on the Homework page of the course web site. You are allowed to use one page note in two exams.

Make-up exams will be given only in unusual circumstances beyond the student's control. Arrangements for make-up exams must be made in advance.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is mandatory. Send the instructor (sxing@calstatela.edu) email in advance if you have to miss a class due to emergency or sickness.