Catalog Course DescriptionThis course is an introduction to the Java programming language. Topics in this course include object-oriented programming constructs, Web page applet development, class definitions, threads, events and exceptions. Upon completion, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the topics through the completion of programming projects and appropriate tests.
TextbookI highly recommend that you bring your textbook to each class meeting, as I may refer to examples that are present in the textbook.
Starting Out with Java: From Control Structures through Objects, fourth edition, by Tony Gaddis.
ISBN-10: 0-136-08020-0; ISBN-13: 978-0-136-08020-6.
Note: If you have already purchased the third edition (ISBN-10: 0-321-47927-0), that will suffice for this course.
This textbook may be available in different bindings and / or with different ISBNs. Please consult with your instructor should you wish to buy such a variation on the textbook.
SoftwareWe will use TextPad in class; it is a simple text editor that ties into Sun's Java Development Kit (JDK) tools to compile and run Java programs. These tools are installed in the CIS labs on the fourth floor. There are several free Java development environments available; as long as your code conforms to Java language standards, you may use any environment to code, compile, and run your programs. Students enrolled in CIS courses at Jefferson State may also obtain Microsoft software free-of-charge through the MSDN Academic Alliance; be looking for an e-mail message in your Pipeline account with your login information.
Course ContentClass meetings will involve either a lecture on Java syntax or the completion of a laboratory assignment. In either mode, students will connect the syntax with general programming concepts and real-world problems.
GradesRefer to the following table for the contributions of each course item to your grade.
| Item | Number / Points | Total Pts. |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Work | 10 @ 20 pts. each | 200 |
| Projects | 2 to 4 @ 50 to 100 pts. each | 200 |
| Exams | 4 @ 150 pts. each | 600 |
| Total Points | 1000 | |
ExaminationsAfter roughly every two to three chapters there will be an examination. These examinations will test both your understanding of underlying concepts and your knowledge of Java syntax. Examinations will feature a mixture of multiple choice questions, a problem in which you write the output of a Java program included in the exam, and an exercise in which you must provide a complete Java program as a solution to a problem. Unless otherwise specified, examinations are closed-book and closed-note, and they are administered on paper; you must bring your own writing utensil (pencil, blue ink, or black ink) for each exam. Because of the cumulative nature of computer programming, you are advised to maintain a thorough understanding of topics covered early in the semester so as not to hinder your performance on examinations covering later chapters.