James Cook University
School of Information Technology
CP1300:03 Introduction to Computer Science II
Second Semester 2000

Description

Introduction to the features and use of a multi-tasking operating system; introduction to computer architecture, data representation, and computer networks; tools and techniques for computer programming; introduction to object oriented programming using C++; introduction to dynamic data structures in C++; basic data structures and algorithms of Computer Science, and their implementation in C++; introduction to the theory of Computer Science.

Learning Objectives

  1. Use the basic features of a multi-tasking operating system, with an understanding of the underlying activities of the operating system.
  2. Describe the hardware components of a computer system, and explain how system software, the operating system, and the hardware of a computer combine to execute programs.
  3. Design and implement programs using object oriented features of C++.
  4. Write simple programs using pointers in C++.
  5. Implement basic data structures and algorithms of Computer Science in C++.
  6. Explain the limits of what computers can do, and analyse the time complexity of simple algorithms.

Preparation

CP1300 has the pre-requisites:

Staff

Cairns: Mr. Jason Holdsworth. Contact details are on the WWW at http://cairns.cs.jcu.edu.au/~jason.

Townsville: Dr. Geoff Sutcliffe. Contact details are on the WWW at http://www.cs.jcu.edu.au/~geoff.

The WWW pages give office hours when students are welcome, and students are encouraged to ask questions by email at all times.

Contact Hours

Each week there are three 50 minute lectures.
Cairns Townsville
  • Monday 9:00-9:50am in A4.003
  • Tuesday 10:00-11:50 in A1.016
  • Tuesday 12:00-12:50pm in NS001
  • Wednesday 1:00-1:50pm in NS001
  • Thursday 12:00-12:50pm in NS001
Each week there is one 3 hour tutorial, chosen from:
  • Tuesday 2:00-5:00pm in A2.018
  • Wednesday 9:00-12:00am in A2.018
  • Wednesday 12:00am-3:00pm in A2.018
  • Friday 9:00-12:00am in A2.018
  • Tuesday 2:00-5:00pm in TG023
  • Wednesday 9:00-12:00am in TG023
  • Wednesday 6:00-9:00pm in TG023
  • Thursday 2:00-5:00pm in TG023
  • Thursday 6:00-9:00pm in TG023

There are no tutorials in the first week. In the first lecture you will be required to list your preferred choices of tutorial time slots, and you will be assigned a tutorial time by the end of the first week.

Students are required to read their email regularly, and to consult the subject WWW page regularly.

Resource Materials

You are strongly advised to buy the textbook: Lecture slides, tutorial tasks, and assignments will be available on the WWW.

Assessment

15% Tutorial attendance and participation
15% Assignment 1
15% Assignment 2
55% Final Exam
In order to obtain a particular grade, you may be required to attain that grade in all items of assessment.

Assignments will be placed on the WWW, and will be submitted in your assigned tutorial. The submission requirements for each assignment will be given with each assignment. Late submissions will be penalised 10% of the total marks for the assignment per day. Assignments that are submitted after the start of the tutorial will be considered to be a day late. Extensions of the due date will be granted if supporting documentary evidence is supplied (e.g., a doctors certificate). Application for an extension must be made to the lecturer before the due date (if possible).

Assessment items must be completed individually. While general interaction between students is encouraged, plagiarism is considered to be a serious offence. It is ok to talk to other students about general solution techniques for assignments, but it is not ok to copy solutions in part or as a whole. Plagiarism will result in a loss of marks for all guilty students involved.

Tutorials

Tutorial attendance is compulsory because the practical experience gained during tutorials is essential for proper absorption of the material covered in lectures. There are 12 tutorials in total. Each tutorial is worth 1.5 points. If you do not attend the tutorial you get 0 points. If you do attend your effort and participation will be graded on the following scale: excellent (1.5), average (1.0), poor (0.5), useless (0.0). At the end of the semester we will take your 12 tutorial marks, throw away the lowest two and add the rest. This will give your tutorial attendance and participation mark out of 15. Tutorial marks will be posted on the WWW throughout the semester so you can keep track of how you are doing.

Tutors will be present at each tutorial to provide on-the-spot assistance with problems. Tutors will also help with anything that you did not understand in lectures. You may find that you are unable to complete all the work assigned for a given tutorial. If this is the case, you should attempt to complete the assigned work before the next tutorial. Only tutorial work may be done in the laboratories during tutorial times, unless explicit permission is granted by the tutor. Tutors will help with assignments only if all assigned tutorial work has been completed.

Due to space limitations students will ordinarily not be able to attend a tutorial session other than that to which they have been allocated. If you are sick or there is some urgent reason you cannot attend your assigned tutorial you may attend a different session. If you need to change your tutorial group permanently you must see your lecturer first.

Class Representatives

Early in the semester class representatives will be elected. Class representatives attend staff/student meetings held during the semester, at which they may put forward any problems or complaints which students may have regarding the subject.

Assistance with Problems

Students having difficulty with any aspect of the subject should consult with their assigned tutor or one of the staff. Students are reminded that the study skills counsellors are available for students with study difficulties. The University also provides a Counselling Centre, Health Centre, Student Employment Service, Disability Resources Officer, Aboriginal and Islander Support, Sexual Harassment Advisers, Overseas Student Adviser and Child Care Centre to deal with a large range of problems.