Python for Programmers
CSC 243 (402)

Marcus Schaefer


Latest additions

hw7 is online

Final exam will also be in CDM 819 (11:30-1:30 time slot)


Homeworks and Examples

Assignments will be available through this webpage. Assignments are due by end of day Tuesday (midnight).  Late submissions will not be accepted, but the lowest homework score will be dropped.

Homework

due

hw1 9/24
hw2 10/1
hw3 10/8
hw4 10/22
hw5 10/29
hw6 11/5
hw7 11/12

 

Questions and Answers

Schedule

Classes, labs and office hours

The class meets MW 1:30-3:00pm in CDM 228.

My office hours are M 4-5:30 and W 3:10-4:40. During those times you can find me in the CDM building, room 749. Advising hours (by appointment, you can sign up online using bluestar) are Tuesdays 4-7pm. 

If you want to set up an appointment at another time, or simply ask a question, send email to mschaefer@cdm.depaul.edu.

Textbook

Introduction to Computer Science with Python, 2nd edition, Ljubomir Perkovic, Wiley, 2015 (get the ebook, ISBN: 978-1-118-89105-6, it is more comprehensive than the printed book; if you already have the print-version, it'll work, but some case examples will be missing).

Syllabus

Prerequisite: MAT 130 and programming experience. This course requires you to have completed at least one programming course with a B- or better, or have equivalent programming experience. If you have taken more than one programming course, contact the instructor to discuss possible placement into more advanced course. 

The following is a very rough schedule, and we might depart from it.

1-4

Computational Problem Solving in Python

5-6

Recursion

6

Midterm

7-8

OO Programming in Python including WWW

9-10

Database Connectivity/Development


For general information, see the official class syllabus.

Grades and exams

Assignments (homework) : 40%, Midterm: 30%, Final exam: 30%.

Midterm for the in-class section will be during class-time, Wednesday, 10/16, in a computer lab (CDM 819); the in-class final exam will take place on Wednesday 11/20, 11:30-1:30, again in a lab (CDM 819). No make-up exams.

Active participation in this class is expected, you are responsible for any material you missed.

I will use the following grading scheme:

Grade Percentage
A 95-100
A- 90-95
B+ 87-90
B 83-87
B- 80-83
C+ 77-80
C 73-77
C- 70-73
D+ 65-70
D 60-65
F <60

Throughout the quarter there will be extra credit problems; extra credit does not directly make up for points lost on homeworks or exams; instead it is added in with a weight to the final grade (i.e. not doing extra credit won't harm you, but doing it can move you up).

General Policies

Academic Honesty

The course adheres to the university Academic Integrity Policy, the following is an excerpt from the policy:

Cheating: Cheating is any action that violates university norms or instructor's guidelines for the preparation and submission of assignments. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized access to examination materials prior to the examination itself, use or possession of unauthorized materials during the examination or quiz; having someone take an examination in one's place-copying from another student; unauthorized assistance to another student; or acceptance of such assistance.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a major form of academic dishonesty involving the presentation of the work of another as one's own. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following:

Complicity: Complicity is any intentional attempt to facilitate any of the violations described above. This includes but is not limited to allowing another student to copy from a paper or test document; providing any kind of material—including one’s research, data, or writing—to another student if one believes it might be misrepresented to a teacher or university official; providing information about or answers to test questions.

A charge of cheating and/or plagiarism is always a serious matter.  If proven, it can result in an automatic F in the course and, in case of a repeated violation, possible expulsion.

For homework this means that while you can talk to other students about the class material in general, you cannot talk about homework problems, or your homework solutions; you cannot share your homework solutions, either in written or electronic form. Any work you submit with your name on it needs to have been prepared and created solely by yourself, and you need to be able to explain it fully. The only people you are allowed to talk to about your homework are the instructor, the lab tutor, and CDM tutors. The only resources (written or online) you should be using are the textbook, and the materials linked off the class web-page.

Using materials prepared for other purposes (e.g., another course or work) needs the course instructor's prior permission.

Incomplete

An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of CDM. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.


Marcus Schaefer
Last updated: August 22nd, 2019.