CMSC B113-002
Computer Science 1
Fall 2020
This is an introduction to the discipline of computer science, suitable for those students with a mature quantitative ability. This fast-paced course covers the basics of computer programming, with an emphasis on program design and problem decomposition. Graduates of this course will be able to write small computer programs independently; examples include data processing for a data-based science course, small games, or other data-intensive applications. No computer programming experience is necessary or expected.
In completing this course, you will learn to:
Students who wish to register for this course must complete the Computer Science Placement Questionnaire to determine whether this is the appropriate course for them.
Students registering for this course must also pass either the Quantitative Readiness Assessment or the Quantitative Seminar (QUAN B001). This course is not part of any Approach but can be used to satisfy the Quantitative Methods (QM) requirement.
The required textbook for this course is Introduction to Programming in Java (Second Edition) by Sedgewick & Wayne. It is available at the campus bookstore, online, or at the book's companion site.
This section of the course will be conducted entirely online. There are no in-person components to this section of the course whatsoever. Students interested in the in-person version of this course should register for Section 001.
Class meetings will be held via Zoom on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:10-2:30pm Eastern Time.
Students must also register for one of the two lab sessions: Section C meets Mondays 2:40-3:30pm ET, and Section D meets Thursdays 12:10-1pm ET. Labs will also be conducted via Zoom.
Although class meetings will be recorded, all students are expected to attend and participate in class meetings and labs. However, students who cannot reasonably attend the live sessions, e.g. because of time zone differences or other conflicts, are welcome to register for this section; arrangements will be made for regular check-ins with the Instructor.
The full course schedule will be released at the start of the semester. In the meantime, please note the following important dates:
There will be 7-10 weekly programming assignments over the course of the semester. The first assignment will likely be available on Thurs Sept 17 and due one week later.
Instructor: Prof. Chris Murphy (he/him/his)
Teaching Assistants:
All members of the Instruction Staff are dedicated to the cause of improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of computing, and to supporting the wellness and mental health of our students.
It is essential that all members of the course community – the instructor, TAs, and students – work together to create a supportive, inclusive environment that welcomes all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, ability, or socioeconomic status. All participants in this course deserve to and should expect to be treated with respect by other members of the community.
Class meetings, lab sessions, office hours, and group working time should be spaces where everyone feels welcome and included. In order to foster a welcoming environment, students of this course are expected to: exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions; attempt collaboration and consideration, including listening to opposing perspectives and authentically and respectfully raising concerns, before conflict; refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
Additionally, your mental health and wellness are of utmost importance to the course Instruction Staff, if not the College as a whole. All members of the instruction staff will be happy to chat or just to listen if you need someone to talk to, even if it’s not specifically about this course.
If you or someone you know is in distress and urgently needs to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to contact BMC Counseling Services: 610-526-7360 (610-526-7778 nights and weekends). If you are uncomfortable reaching out to Counseling Services, any member of the Instruction Staff will be happy to contact them on your behalf.
We understand that student life can be extremely difficult, both mentally and emotionally. If you are living with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other conditions that may affect you this semester, you are encouraged to discuss these with the Instructor. Although the details are up to you to disclose, the Instruction Staff will do their best to support and accommodate you in order to ensure that you can succeed this course while staying healthy.
Bryn Mawr College is committed to providing equal access to students with a documented disability. Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first register with Access Services. Students can call 610-526-7516 to make an appointment with the Director of Access Services, Deb Alder, or email her at dalder@brynmawr.edu to begin this confidential process. Once registered, students should schedule an appointment with the professor as early in the semester as possible to share the verification form and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement. More information can be obtained at the Access Services website.
Additional course policies regarding grading, late submissions and extensions, etc. will be made available to registered students toward the start of the semester.
For more information, please email Prof. Chris Murphy: cmurphy1@brynmawr.edu