CS 171: Intro to C++ Programming for Engineers

Spring 2008

Announcements:  Check here regularly for announcements!

The Spring 2008 grades are posted here.  Enjoy your summer!

Previous Announcements

Course description: This two-credit course provides an introduction to programming using C++.  Emphasis is on structured programming concepts, with a brief discussion of object-oriented programming.  Control structures, expressions, input/output, and arrays will be covered.

Pre-requisites: You must have successfully completed MATH 113 or MATH 115.  In addition, you must have permission from the CS office or Prof. Bates in order to register for this course. 

Professor: Rebecca Bates (bates@mnsu.edu) 
Contact Information

Course Hours and Location

Lectures T 3-4:30pm	TR E225
Lab 01: Th 3-3:50	WH 119
Lab 02: Th 4-4:50	WH 119

Lab assignments are based on your previous programming and math experience.

Office Hours

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
by appointment	1-2:30, 4:30-5:30	1:30-2:30*	1-2:30*	2-4**

* in WH 283
** in ACC or WH 231
*** Grad Assistant hours (TBA)

Prof. Bates will also read and respond to email questions within 24 hours.  You can usually expect responses to questions the same day if received prior to 10pm. If things that are useful for the entire class come up, they will be posted on the announcement section of the class webpage so check it regularly.

Tutoring Hours

C++ tutoring will be available each day in WH 283.  The schedule will be posted outside the room.

Course Materials
Required Text: Engineering Problem Solving with C++, Delores M. Etter & Jeanine A. Ingber, Prentice Hall, 1st edition (2003) or 2nd edition (2008).

Course Syllabus

Course Policies

Course Goals
This course will provide a general understanding of the use of a programming language for the solution of engineering problems.  In particular, students will gain experience programming in C++.  Object-oriented programming concepts will be introduced.  Students can expect to have a basis for learning more complex programming and problem solving concepts.  Students will also have a collection of programs that can be used as a basis for future programming projects. 

Course Objectives

1. Students will be able to describe programming concepts such as functions, variable declaration, assignment operations, selection structures (e.g., if-then-else statements), repetition structures (e.g., for loops), and arrays.
2. Students will be able to develop algorithms that use the above concepts.
3. Students will be able to construct and interpret flow charts.
4. Students will be able to solve numeric and statistical problems using C++.
5. Students will be able to write, compile, run and debug C++ programs.

Grading
Homework and Lab work: 40%
Midterm Exams: 40%         These exams will be written and practical (lab based).
Final exam: 20%

Exam Dates
Midterm 1: Written February 26
                  Practical February 28
Midterm 2: Written April 8
                  Take home exam assigned April 9, due 4pm April 11
Final: Monday, May 5, 2:45-4:45pm

Course Tools

• Microsoft Visual Studio .NET: This is on most of the ACC computers.  If you want a copy of the software at home, you are eligible for a temporary license as a member of this course.  Instructions for downloading the software will be available later.  You can also download a free version.
• Desire2Learn: This web-based software package will be used for turning in programming assignments, programming exams and feedback surveys.
• Password protected webpages: The Computer Science Lab computers host these pages.  The assignments and solutions will be available on the web but will be password protected.  You will set up your account name and password during the first lab class.

Other Information

CS 171 Handouts and Assignments

CS 171 Grading, Collaboration and Make-up Policies

Additional Resources

On-line programming help (various tutorials)

• A number conversion page: test your knowledge of number systems and conversion
• FunctionX C++ tutorial
• C++ Resources Network tutorial
• cprogramming.com tutorial
• Tips on Programming

I need help with binary number systems!

• wikipedia
• Grinnell College
• hex to bin conversions (a tutorial), another tutorial
• check your answers here: bin to decimal or decimal to bin, this converter comes with a quiz, converts a number to many different systems

What do all the acronyms mean?

• www.webopedia.com: an online dictionary of computer and internet terminology.

How can I get information on just about anything?

• www.wikipedia.com: an online project to create a consensus-based encyclopedia with entries on just about everything.

She said something I don't understand:

• Look it up!  www.m-w.com, www.dictionary.com

Page last modified by R.A. Bates on 05/06/2008 12:16 PM.