This is an introductory course into the C programming language. It is for students with little or no programming experience. It introduces the learner to the C programming language and the principles of good software engineering. The course’s text includes a CDROM that contains the Microsoft Visual C++ version 6 (Introductory Edition) Compiler. This compiler will serve as the standard compiler for the course.
Be sure to buy the following textbook NEW since you will need the CDROM in the back of the book (it contains the Microsoft Visual C++ version 6, Introductory Edition Compiler that will serve as the course’s standard for C programming). Please be sure to get the 4th edition (and not the 3rd edition) of the text:
C How to Program, 4th Edition
by Harvey M. Deitel and Paul J. Deitel,
Prentice Hall (Pearson), 2003 or 2004.
Paper Bound w/CD-ROM format, ISBN: 0131426443
The second text for the course is (which can be purchased as a used book),
C Programming Language, 2/e
by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie,
Prentice Hall PTR (Pearson). ISBN: 0131103628
Microsoft Word 97 or better
Virus scanner, all files you submit need to be scanned. If we both virus scan the work, we avoid most potential problems.
Note about C Compilers: Compilers can differ on how rigorously they enforce the C language syntax and the quality of the code that they will generate. A program may compile under one compiler but not under another. To have a uniform standard for the course, we all need to use the same compiler (Microsoft Visual C++ version 6, Introductory Edition Compiler) that comes with the C How to Program, 4th edition textbook. This compiler will be the basis for program evaluation and grading.
Other Requirements:
There will be two project style exams (midterm exam and final exam) and a course project (worth up to 20 points). The course project will contain several programs and/or essay question(s) to be done during the course. Each of the exam is worth up to 70 points. The format of the exams could include true/false, multiple choice, fill in blank, essay and/or programming problems. It will cover the material that has been presented in the course’s textbooks. The Deitel & Deitel textbook, C How to Program text is the basis for all exam answers.
The exam will be available at the end of week three and seven respectively. The exam will be completed no later than the last day of the week on week four and eight respectively. This gives learners a few days to work the project style exam and a few days to make sure that I receive it via email. I acknowledge all emails from students. It is your responsibility to make sure that I receive your emails and the exam. If I have not acknowledged receiving it, then, I did not receive it.
Exam one (midterm) will cover from chapter one up through and including chapter six in C How to Program textbook. Exam one (midterm) will also cover chapters one up through and including chapter four in the C Programming Language textbook.
Exam two (final) will cover from chapter one up through and include chapter eleven in C How to Program textbook. Exam two (final) will also cover chapters one up through and including chapter seven in the C Programming Language textbook.
The course Project assignment will contain several programs and/or essay question(s) to be completed during the course.
Discussion: Earn up to 5 points per week
The student is required to respond to a weekly course-related discussion question. These questions will be provided weekly. Grading of response will be based on the instructor’s subjective evaluation of its content, grammar, and punctuation. Although a specific length is not mandated, the question’s response should be about 150 to 400 words, be well thought out and provide value to the class discussion. (Due Day 3, Wednesday)
Late work
Please note the due date for the Discussion Question and the Exams. Late email submission of an exam results in a reduction of (20) points per day. Late posting (in the classroom) of a discussion question results in a reduction of (1) point per day. Late email submission of the course project results in a reduction of (5) points per day. The course will use the Canyon College server’s timestamp as the date and time basis for discussion questions posting, exam email submissions and course project email submission. Both exams and the course project will be submitted to the instructor’s Canyon College email address.
Schedule and Assignments:
Week One
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter One: Introduction to Computers, the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Chapter Two: Introduction to C Programming.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter One: A Tutorial Introduction
Chapter Two: Types, Operators, and Expressions
Review this Syllabus carefully, it contains an initial assignment for the learner to e-mail the
instructor (no grading point value), but it is important.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Discussion Question for Week One: How do you believe that an organization should measure the
value of a computer program? What elements or capabilities in a program give it value? Justify
your position.
All of the discussion questions for the course and the course project assignment will be posted in the classroom during week one of the course.
Week Two
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter Three: Structured Program Development in C.
Chapter Four: C Program Control.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter Three: Control Flow
Review and start working on the Course Project assignment.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Three
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter Five: C Functions.
Chapter Six: C Arrays.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter Four: Functions and Program Structure
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Midterm: The Exam will be emailed to students on or before Sunday (day 7).
Week Four
Assignment:
Work the Project Style Midterm Exam
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Midterm: Exam is Due on Sunday (day 7)
Week Five
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter Seven: C Pointers.
Chapter Eight: C Characters and Strings.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter Five: Pointers and Arrays.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Six
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter Nine: C Formatted Input/Output.
Chapter Ten: C Structures, Unions, Bit Manipulations, and Enumerations.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter Six: Structures
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Seven
Reading Assignments:
In the C How to Program textbook:
Chapter Eleven: C File Processing.
In the C Programming Language textbook:
Chapter Seven: Input and Output
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Final: The final exam will be emailed to students on or before Sunday (day 7).
Week Eight
Assignment:
Work the Project Style Final Exam.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Final: Exam is Due on Sunday (day 7)
Course Project Assignment is Due on Sunday (day 7)
Other Course Policy:
I try to resolve all issues using e-mail first. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
It is important that you read this syllabus carefully since I follow it (unless there is a typo, major unforeseen event or there is an error in it; Note, I always reserve the right to change the syllabus for these reasons). After reading the syllabus, your first assignment is to email me and provide me with the email address that I should use for you during the course (also your name, a backup email address and your phone number).
It is important that your email address does not have spam filters that could block my emails to you. It is your responsibility to disable any spam filters or similar blocking software that could prevent me from sending emails to your mailbox. It is your responsibility to supply me with a reliable mailbox.
You should receive your exams via email from your instructor at the end of week three and seven respectively. If not, it is your responsibility to email your instructor and request the exam. Note that the syllabus contains the course policies regarding email with your instructor. The exam is to be returned to the instructor's Canyon email address. Place you're filled out answer sheet with your full name on it in the body of the email and as an attached text file (ending in .txt). Copy yourself on the email and save the copy as backup. It is a good idea to finish and email the exam a few days a head of time.
