CS 171 Computer Programming I

Term and Credits

Winter 2022-2023

3 Credits

Basic Course Information

Lecture

Lab

Course Instructors

Prof. Mark W. Boady

Electronic Mail Address: mwb33@drexel.edu

Webpage: https://boadycs.gitlab.io/about-mark/

Office: 3675 Market – Room 1063

Office Hours: Mondays 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Prof. Adelaida Alban Medlock

Electronic Mail Address: aalban@drexel.edu

Webpage: http://www.cs.drexel.edu/~aalban/

Office: 3675 Market – Room 1064

Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Prof. Daniel Moix

Electronic Mail Address: daniel.moix@drexel.edu

Webpage: https://drexel.edu/cci/about/directory/M/Moix-Daniel/

Office: 3675 Market – Room 1058

Office Hours: Mondays 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM; Thursdays 10:30 AM - Noon; Others by appointment.

Teaching Assistants / Graders

Ahmad Abuali

Tahsin Ahmed

Raghad Aseeri

Omesh Dwivedi

Yahmin Haj

Uday Jain

Yash Jain

Amir Kaidarov

Neil Kanakia

Kaitlyn Mark

Raunaq Malhotra

Ky McCormick

Tigist Mebrate

Mathilda Nguyen

Minh Nguyen

Vistrit Pandey

Kavin Parakh

Mukul Periwal

TA Office Hours: will be conducted at the CLC located at 3675 Market St. Room 1066.

TA Office Hours Schedule: https://www.cs.drexel.edu/clc

TA Contact Info: can be found under the Faculty Information section of Bb Learn. Contact your TA through the CS 171 Discord server for Course Related Questions.

CS Dept. Phone: (215) 895-2669

CS Dept. Fax: (215) 895-0545

CS Dept. Location: 3675 Market Room 1171-A

Course Description and Objectives

Course Description

Introduces fundamental concepts of computing including memory, instructions, function calls, and activation records. Covers fundamentals of structured computer programming in the language of instruction: variables, input and output, expressions, assignment statements, conditionals and branching, subprograms, parameter passing, repetition, arrays, top-down design, testing, and debugging.

Course Goals

The goal of this course is for students completing it to be competent programmers, able to write working Python program on their own using appropriate constructs when presented with a problem description.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course students should be able to:

1. Trace execution of a Python program containing assignment statements, strings, conditionals, file input/output, functions, and loops.
2. Determine appropriate code constructs and design a Python program using them to satisfy problem description.
3. Write appropriately styled Python code and documentation for programs using assignment statements, strings, conditionals, file input/output, functions, and loops.
4. Detect and correct syntax errors in Python programs containing assignment statements, strings, conditionals, file input/output, functions, and loops.
5. Detect and correct logic errors in Python programs containing assignment statements, strings, conditionals, functions, and loops.
6. Communicate and solve problems effectively as a member of a team.

Audience and Purpose within Plan of Study

This course is open to all students interested in Programming and Computer Science. This course is the first in a two-term sequence of computer programming courses in Python (CS 171-172) and is a required course for students majoring in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, and digital media. It is also a required course for students pursuing a minor in computer science. The goal is for students completing this sequence to be competent programmers, able to write working Python program on their own using appropriate constructs when presented with a problem description.

Prerequisites

None. While there are no formal prerequisites for the course, students are expected to be computer literate. Prior programming experience is not required but is definitely helpful.

Required Textbook and Software

Textbook

Title: Programming in Python 3 with zyLabs

Edition: Drexel University CS 171: Computer Programming I - Winter 2023

Author: Bailey Miller

ISBN-13: 979-8-203-08551-1

Buy: zyBooks.com

Copyright: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Zyante Inc. (zyBooks.com)

Price: $77.00

In order to acquire the book, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Sign up at https://www.zybooks.com
2. Enter ZyBook code DREXELCS171Winter2023
3. Click Subscribe

Students may begin subscribing on December 26, 2022 and the cutoff to subscribe is March 18, 2023. Subscriptions will last until April 8, 2023.

NOTE: We recommend that if possible, you purchase the book directly from ZyBooks.com as the bookstore has a different (higher) price to the textbook. 

Software and Hardware Requirements

All Drexel students are required to have individual access to a dedicated personal computer which meets minimum specifications, including processor speed, memory and secondary storage requirements, and connectivity to campus network. Please see https://drexel.edu/cci/admissions/graduate-professional-development/admissions-information-and-requirements/computer-requirements-and-skills/ for further information.

The official language used for this course is Python 3. It is available for free at https://www.python.org.

Required Software

1. Thonny Python IDE: https://thonny.org/
2. Discord: students registered in CS 171 should join our course server as soon as possible. See instructions in the left hand side menu.
3. Gradescope:  https://www.gradescope.com. You will receive an email with an invitation to join.

Blackboard Learn

This course is operating with the Drexel Blackboard Learn (Learn) Course Management System, which allows electronic submission of assignments, quizzes, and lab exercises, and threaded discussion groups. You can access the Drexel Learn course website from the Drexel portal http://one.drexel.edu/. You can also access Drexel Learn from the following page https://learn.dcollege.net/.

Grade Computation

Final grades will be determined by your total points weighted according to this distribution. Grades may be curved but are generally computed via the formula below. It may be modified at the instructor's sole discretion, but letter grades will generally not be lower than those shown here.

Grading Scale

Grading Policies

Readings

• Each week sections of the ZyBooks online textbook will be assigned.
• You are required to complete all Participation Activity and Challenge Activity questions in the assigned readings.
• You must purchase a ZyBooks subscription to complete reading assignments.
• Each Student is required to have their own ZyBooks account.
• Reading assignments are due on Fridays by 11:59 PM.
• You should make every effort possible to complete the reading before you attend lab.
• Late Submissions will not be accepted.

Homework

• Most weeks Homework will be assigned.
• Homework assignments will be posted and are to be submitted in ZyBooks.
• These are individual assignments (e.g. no collaboration is allowed).
• Homework assignments are due on Wednesdays by 11:59 PM.
• Late Submissions will not be accepted for Homework assignments.

Labs

• You will work and collaborate with a lab partner.
• Labs will be posted in Bb Learn. 
• Labs must be submitted via Gradescope.
• Labs are due at the end of the lab session.
  • If you do not finish the lab by the end of your lab session, you have until Sunday 11:59 PM to submit your lab
  • Late Submissions will not be accepted.
• Attendance to the lab is mandatory
  • If you miss the lab please email your course instructor as soon as possible to schedule a lab make-up session.
  • If you do not attend lab or a lab make-up session, you will not get credit for the lab.
• Lateness: If a student is more than 10 minutes late for lab, but less than 15 minutes late, a 10% penalty will be applied to the lab grade. If student is more than 15 minute late, a 25% penalty will be applied to the lab grade.

Midterm / Final Exams

• All tests will have a fixed time limit.
• You must be present in the classroom to take the test.
• You will be expected to write working code in the exams.
• Midterm Exam will be given during week 6 of the term.
• Final Exam will be given during finals week. 

Special Circumstances

If you have a documented reason why you cannot submit any work by the cut-off deadline, a special exception may be made. The Professor may also wave the late submission policy for documented special exceptions. Special Exceptions must be approved by the Professor.

Additional Policies

• You, your instructor, and the TA are bound by the Academic Honesty policy. Students are responsible for reading and understanding the course policies in this syllabus and for announcements made in class and in the course discussion board. See the academic policy linked to in this syllabus.
• Any dispute about an assignment grade must be made and resolved within 5 days of receiving your grade. After this period your grade cannot be adjusted.
• If you are seeking help with an assignment you must contact the Professor or a TA prior to Friday close-of-business hours. We cannot guarantee a timely response on nights and weekends. This policy is to ensure that you get started early on your assignments.
• Your lowest reading, homework, and lab grades will be dropped from the grade calculation at the end of the term.

Plagiarism Detection System

To ensure that assignments are done independently, in addition to human observation, we will be running all assignments through a plagiarism detection system. This program uses compiler techniques which are invariant of syntax and style. It has a very high accuracy rate.

Academic Honesty Policy

The university's Academic Honesty policy is in effect for this course. This policy is available in the Student's Handbook https://drexel.edu/studentlife/community_standards/code-of-conduct/. Please also read the following information from the Provost Office: https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/

You must be the sole original author of all assignments and examination solutions in their entirety, unless the instructor explicitly instructs you otherwise in written directions on an assignment or exam. Except where specifically assigned, collaborative work is a violation of academic honesty in this course. You are not to examine, share, or use code/written solutions belonging to someone else, nor may you let anyone else examine or copy your code/written solutions.

Students found in violation of the Academic Honesty policy will receive no credit for the questionable assignment or exam, a half letter grade reduction on the final grade for the course (on the first occurrence), a whole letter grade reduction on each subsequent occurrence(s), and/or will possibly receive a failing grade for the course. In addition, a Drexel University Alleged Academic Misconduct Report will be filed for each occurrence of Academic Dishonesty.

If you are suspected of academic dishonesty, you will receive an email from your course instructor. You will be required to communicate with the course instructor within 72 hours indicating your response to the suspected violation.

Students having difficulty fulfilling the requirements for an assignment without outside help are to seek assistance from a teaching assistant or instructor, not from another student or knowledgeable person.

It is your responsibility to avoid violating the university's policy. If you are unclear as to what the policy means in a particular situation, ask the instructor for clarification before you hand anything in.

See the examples below for clarification of this policy.

Examples

The following are acceptable:

• Using code provided in lecture or the course slides: include comments that cite the source.
• Using code provided in the class textbook: include comments that cite the source.
• Code developed jointly with instructor or teaching assistants assigned to this course: include comments to clarify that this is the case.
• Discussing algorithms or possible approaches to writing your program, WITHOUT discussing particulars of the code.
• Discussing how to resolve errors, WITHOUT discussing particulars of the code.

These are NOT acceptable:

• You borrow a printed or electronic copy of a friend's assignment and use it for "inspiration".
• You give a printed or electronic copy of your assignment to somebody else.
• You let someone else view the solution to any part of your assignment.
• You "find" a printed copy of somebody's program in the trash, on a lab machine, on their hard drive, etc., and use it for "inspiration".
• You pay a "tutor" who writes the assignment for you.
• You and a friend together write one assignment, then create separate modifications to be handed in.
• You and a friend write certain portions of the assignment individually but collaborate on other portions of the assignment.
• You Google the solution to the assignment and submit what you find as your own work.
• You use an online service (e.g. Chegg, CourseHero, StackOverflow, etc.) to obtain the solution to any part of the assignment, quiz, or exam.

Additional Course Resources

Computer/Software Help

CCI Commons (3675 Market #1067): https://drexel.edu/cci/current-students/icommons/

Students Accommodations

Students requesting accommodations due to a disability at Drexel University need to request a current Accommodations Verification Letter (AVL) in the ClockWork database before accommodations can be made. These requests are received by Disability Resources (DR), who then issues the AVL to the appropriate contacts. For additional information, visit the DR website at https://drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/, or contact DR for more information by phone at 215-895-1401, or by email at disability@drexel.edu

Other important Academic Policies

In addition to the course policies listed on this syllabus, course assignments or course website, the following University policies are in effect:

• Academic Integrity: https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/
• Official Final Exam Schedule: http://www.drexel.edu/registrar/scheduling/exams/
• Students with Disability Statement: http://drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/
• Course Drop Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-add-drop
• Course Withdraw Policy: http://drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-withdrawal
• The instructor may, at his/her/their discretion, change any part of the course during the term, including assignments, grade breakdowns, due-dates, and the schedule. Such changes will be communicated to students via the Blackboard Learn Announcements page. This page should be checked regularly and frequently for such changes and announcements. Other announcements, although rare, may include class cancellations and other urgent announcements.

Class Disruption Policies

According to the student handbook (Code of Conduct section), Disorderly Conduct is defined as behavior that disturbs academic study:

Behavior that disturbs the peace, academic study, or sleep of others both on or off campus is prohibited. Examples of disorderly conduct as it pertains to class/research settings includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Excessively leaving and entering a classroom without authorization.
• Making loud or distracting noises.
• Persistently speaking without being recognized such that it interferes with the learning environment.
• Repeatedly dominating online discussion boards or forums such that it interferes with the learning environment.
• Resorting to personal insults.

Students are responsible to comply with a reasonable request from a professor, instructor, or other University official regarding appropriate behavior.

Students disrupting online office hours will be asked to stop the disruptive behavior. If they do not stop, the student will be asked to leave the online session, and a formal complaint will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

CCI faculty believes and embraces diversity for it fosters innovative, transformative classrooms where optimal learning for students of all identities and backgrounds can occur.

For more information on Diversity and Inclusion in CCI, please visit: https://drexel.edu/cci/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council/

Statement on Recording Lectures

Appropriate Use of Course Materials

It is important to recognize that some or all of the course materials provided to you are the intellectual property of Drexel University, the course instructor, or others. Use of this intellectual property is governed by Drexel University policies, including the IT-1 policy found at: https://drexel.edu/it/about/policies/policies/01-Acceptable-Use/

Briefly, this policy states that all course materials including recordings provided by the given prior written approval by the University. Doing so may be considered a breach of this policy and will be investigated and addressed as possible academic dishonesty, among other potential violations. Improper use of such materials may also constitute a violation of the University’s Code of Conduct found at: https://drexel.edu/cpo/policies/cpo-1/ and will be investigated as such.

Recording of Class Activities:

In general, students and others should not record course interactions and course activities in lecture, lab, studio or recitation.

Students who have an approved accommodation from the Office of Disability Resources to record online lectures and discussions for note taking purposes should inform their course instructor(s) of their approved accommodation in advance. The recording of lectures and discussions may only be carried out by the students enrolled in the class who have an approved accommodation from Disability Resources with their instructors’ prior knowledge and consent. Students with approved accommodations may be asked to turn off their recorder if confidential or personal information is presented.

If a student has any comments, concerns, or questions about provided class materials and/ or recording, talk to your course instructor first. If this does not resolve the issue, you can also reach out to the Department Head, and use the process described for a grade appeal to move your concern forward. The process described for grade appeals can be found at: https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/grade-appeals/

Tentative Course Schedule

Schedule Subject to change at any time.

Note: All due dates and times are on Eastern Time Zone.