Syllabus

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to concepts of problem solving using constructs of logic inherent in computer programming languages. The student studies the nature of problems, common solution approaches and analysis techniques.

This base of problem solving skill is augmented by high level computer tools. These tools enable students to construct solutions to common algorithmic problems. The course concludes with the students utilizing flowcharts to diagram problem solutions. Computer programming code is introduced to the student via the code generated by the flowcharting tool.

The major emphasis is on teaching the student to identify solutions to a problem and translate them into various forms,  that will enable the computer to perform some of the steps in a solution of an actual problem instance. These forms include an objected oriented packages, flowcharting tool and viewing generated software code.

Course Objectives:

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

  1. Understand the steps required in solving a problem using a computer.
  2. Demonstrate broad problem-solving experiencing by referring to solutions from    a problem bank covered during class
  3. Create an application based upon object-oriented concepts using a code generation tool.
  4. Understand and use the flowcharting techniques to solve an algorithm.
  5. Read and comprehend  software showing the coding paradigms of  loops, decision statements, arrays and modules.

 

Prerequisite – CUNY certification in mathematics, reading and writing.  General knowledge of a personal computer is needed.  Students may enroll in a workshop at the Academic Learning Center, located in the Atrium.

Required Texts

  • Starting out with ALICE , Tony Gaddis, Pearson, 2nd edition, ISBN 0-321-54587-7
  • Starting out with JAVA , Tony Gaddis, Pearson, 4th edition, ISBN 0-13-608020-0
Meeting Topic to be Covered Assignment
1 Discussion of  general problem solving methods. Introduction to logical step solutions  Read Lecture 1
2 Review of functions and their use in logical solutions Read Lecture 2
3 Continue to discuss Lecture 2 Assignment 1 in BlackBoard
4 Writing specific step of algorithms – English pseudocode – decision making, logical operators, IF/THEN/ELSE  Read Lecture 3
5 Using repetition, with WHILE loops and FOR/NEXT loops Read Lecture 4
6 Continue to discuss Lecture 4 QUIZ 1, Assignment 2 in BlackBoard
7 Storing information in lists, tables and arrays. Read Lecture 5
8 Combining techniques to solve real problems.  Identifying appropriate techniques Read Lecture 6
9 Introduction to Flowcharting (RAPTOR) Objectives, Basic Symbols
10 Flowcharting Continued Assignment 3 in BlackBoard 
11 Flowcharting Simulation, Variable Watching  
12 More Flowcharting  Problem Solving Assignment 4 in BlackBoard 
13 Introduction To ALICE DownLoad environment, Review Tutorial 1
14 Classes, Galleries, Objects, Properties Review Tutorial 2-4Assignment 4
Do 3 of the exercises on Pages 54 and 55
15 Methods and Parameters  Read Chapter 2.1-2.5 and Chapter 5 of Alice Book
16 MIDTERM  
17 Decisions and Loops Read Chapter 4 of Alice BookProject Flowchart
18 Alice Classwork Work on ProjectAssignment 6 – 3 exercies on pages 191 and 192
19 Events Read Chapter 6 of Alice Book
20 Alice Classwork Work on Project
21 Alice Project Presentation Assignment 7 Class Presentation of Project Video
22 Introduction to NetBeans/Java Read Chapter 1 of Java Book
23 GUI Objects in NetBeans, Data types Assignment 8 on BlackBoard
24 Java variables Read 2.4 through 2.7 of Java Book
25 Coding Events in NetBeans  QUIZ 2
26 Java If then Else Read 3.1 through 3.5 of Java Book
27 Nested If then Else Assignment 9 on BlackBoard
28 While Loop Read Chapters 4.1-4.4
29 Final Review Assignment 10 on BlackBoard
30 FINAL EXAM  

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