CS 216 - Data Structures

Fall Semester, 2000-2001

Go straight to the course syllabus.

Computer science is a dynamic discipline blending elements of mathematics, science, and engineering. The goal of this course is to build upon concepts introduced in a first course in computer science and to increase competence in each of the three kinds of computer science activities--theory, experimentation, and design.

This course is focused mainly on data structure concepts. Data structures can be defined loosely as organized collections of data, and an understanding of data structures is essential for further study of computer science. The programming language used in this course to convey the key ideas about data structures and algorithms is Java, a language which supports object-oriented programming (OOP).

CLASS INFORMATION:

• Meeting time: TTh 10:00-11:15 AM
• Meeting room: Glatfelter 203

OFFICE AND OFFICE HOURS:

• Office: Glatfelter 211
• Office hours: MWF 9:00-11:50 AM and by appointment

TELEPHONE NUMBER AND E-MAIL:

• Telephone: 337-6630
• E-mail: jfink@gettysburg.edu
• WWW page: http://www.gettysburg.edu/~jfink/courses/cs216.html
• Class e-mail alias: cs-216-a@gettysburg.edu

EXAM DATES:

• Exam 1: Thursday, September 21
• Exam 2: Thursday, October 26
• Exam 3: Thursday, November 30
• Final Exam Project: Thursday, December 14, 1:30-4:30 PM

PREREQUISITES:

• CS 104 - Introduction to Computer Science (C grade or better)

TEXTBOOK:

• Data Structures & Other Objects Using Java by Michael Main
• Recommended reference: Core Java 1.2, Volume 1-Fundamentals by Cay S. Horstmann and Gary Cornell

COURSE CONTENT:

• Topics from Chapters 1 to 13
• Detailed syllabus

GRADING POLICY:

• Your grade will be determined by your scores on the following:
  • programming projects (25%);
  • quizzes (10%);
  • three exams (15% each);
  • final exam project (20%).
• ***There will be no make-up exams, and late work will not be accepted.***

DAILY READINGS:

• Assigned readings should be done before class.
• There are plenty of self-test exercises (with answers!) in the textbook. Be sure to try them.

PROGRAMMING PROJECTS:

• Programming projects will be assigned, collected, and graded.
• The programming projects are an integral part of the course and are crucial for an understanding of the material.
• Grading of programs will be based on design, documentation, and style as well as on correctness. The examples in the textbook are good.
• The programming projects are designed for individual work. If you need help, you may discuss the projects with your instructor, the student associate, or other students to a limited extent. Interpret this to mean that discussions with other students may involve only pencil and paper work of a general nature. You may not look at other students' program files or the specifics of other students' solutions.
• Programming assignments will be submitted electronically as e-mail attachments. The e-mail message itself must contain the Honor Pledge.

QUIZZES:

• There will be about 10 short in-class closed-book quizzes based on the readings and the self-test exercises in the textbook.

EXAMS:

• There will be three in-class closed-book examinations consisting of a mixture of question types: true-false, multiple choice, short answer, short essay, fill-in-the-blank, code segments, and short programs.
• The material on the exams will be taken from work done in class, the assigned readings, and the programming assignments.
• The exams will not involve any on-computer work.

FINAL EXAM PROJECT:

• The final examination for the course will be a final project.
• Unlike the regular programming projects, the final project may not be discussed with any person except your instructor.