This section of CSCI2320 is a modern Internet-mediated laboratory-supplemented course in data abstraction, as implemented in the C++ programming language. Emphasis of the notion of an abstract data type (ADT) will ensure a uniform methodology for treating the theory and design of the classical computer science structures, from abstraction to implementation. Alternative designs will be compared from the point of view of the computational complexity of their implementation, and this important analysis technique plays a central role in the applications.
The readings for the first two weeks will mainly be taken from REP:
Chapter 1 Review of the C++ Data Types
-- and the first exam will include coverage of these ideas. This material will "set the tone" for the remainder of the course, whereas the subject matter for readings thereafter will generally be selected from FMC, beginning at Chapter 3, together with the nine experiments of REP.
Each student will perform six experiments (of the nine to be studied) and will write formal laboratory reports on these six investigations. The style of these reports will conform to that outlined in the Guide for Laboratory Reports (See REP). It is all right to confer with other students (particularly those who are members of your laboratory team, if the class is organized in this way) regarding any aspect of the laboratory work, for this is an important part of the learning experience. Nevertheless, each student will do his or her own problem solving and analysis, and will write an individual laboratory report. These are to be submitted to the instructor's mailbox in Halsell by 5PM on the days that the experiments end (See Laboratory Schedule) -- no earlier than the day before. The style of all C++ programs therein will conform to that developed in the texts.
The readings will be supplemented with laboratory experiments (See REP), whose titles appear below. These experiments will take place on the following weeks:
Two examinations are scheduled in class, one on Tuesday, October 23, the other on the last day of classes, Tuesday, December 11. The format for these exams, e.g., whether open or closed book, will be decided and announced one week in advance.
The laboratory quizzes will be seen to consist of routine questions on the laboratory experiment and related reading assignments. They will be emailed to all students simultaneously, as addenda to the comprehensive study guides (See below). Each student must email (doctorp@cressida.cs.trinity.edu) answers to all nine laboratory quizzes on the days that the experiments commence (Again, see Laboratory Schedule) -- no earlier than the day before.
Following the first class meeting where this Syllabus is discussed, students are expected to attend all five class sessions on the dates of the following schedule:
A critical component of the Internet-mediated environment is the bulletin board, an email forum for discussion of the course material. Two or three days before the beginning of each of the nine laboratory experiment periods, the instructor will broadcast to all students simultaneously, a study guide, assigning, outlining, and commenting on the related readings (particularly as concerns the laboratory experiment at hand), pointing out "trouble spots," etc., and this email message serves as a focus for the discussions to follow. Students are encouraged to post questions, comments, etc., relating to the topic(s) under discussion, after which other students will post answers, further questions, comments, etc., in a continuing dialogue (the instructor will also participate, in the role of moderator and tutor).
All communication with the bulletin board is routed through the instructor's course-dedicated email address (doctorp@cressida.cs.trinity.edu). Each student posting is broadcast to the class as a whole, after perhaps some editing by the moderator, though he or she only emails to the address indicated.
A final evaluation of the Internet-mediated learning environment will take place on Friday, Dec. 14 (the official final exam date) at 10:00 AM. All students are expected to attend.