CSE1301: Introduction to Computer Science

Course Description:

An introduction to software concepts and implementation, emphasizing problem solving through abstraction and decomposition. Introduces processes and algorithms, procedural abstraction, data abstraction, encapsulation, and object-oriented programming. Recursion, iteration, and simple data structures are covered. Concepts and skills are mastered through programming projects, many of which employ graphics to enhance conceptual understanding. Java, an object-oriented programming language, is the vehicle of exploration. Active-learning sessions are conducted in a studio setting in which students interact with each other and the professor to solve problems collaboratively. Prerequisites: Comfort with algebra and geometry at the high school level is assumed. Patience, good planning, and organization will promote success.

Learning Outcomes:

• Be able to create programs from "scratch" to solve modest computational problems.

• Be able to create a class for a defined concept

• Be able to make use of basic collections to solve problems

• Be able to utilize a new API based on "typical documentation" (Ex: Javadoc docs for Java)

• Familiarity with basic control structures and flow within a computer program (loops, if statements, methods

• Be able to explain the differences between basic collections (Set, List, and Map)

This document is lengthy, but you are responsible for understanding and abiding by its contents.  It's worth your time to review this carefully.

Policy Authority & Implementation

If you have questions about policy, you're welcome to ask about it on the course discussion page on Canvas. If the issue is truly sensitive, an individual email or meeting during office hours is best.  Only an instructor (not TAs) should be approached with questions of policy. 

Graded Course Components

Component (due dates are on Canvas)	Contribution to overall grade
Studios (weekly)	15%
Quizzes (weekly)	25%
Exams (three, equally weighted)	60%

 

Studios

What

Studio sessions are an opportunity for collaborative, hands-on work with the course content during class time.  You are strongly encouraged to work in small groups (2-3 people).  Studios also provide an opportunity for you to have questions answered by TAs and instructors. 

When

Studios will be done weekly during class sessions.  Most studios are open ended.  You're expected to make an honest effort to explore the concepts and make progress, but you are not required to complete the studio. 

Demos

You are required to demo your work to a TA or instructor at the end of your class section. 

Prior to demoing you should ensure your final work is on GitHub (via a Commit and Push).

Late work / Missed work / Error submitting

Studios can not be "made up" for any reason, but you may attend another section of the class on your normal class day for the studio.  At the end of the semester the lowest two studio grades will be dropped to compensate for unexpected absences (that is, having up to two absences won't impact your grade at all). 

Quizzes 

What

Online quizzes over content from a preceding module. 

When

Given in class at the end of lecture on Mondays.

Submission

Quizzes will be taken on paper and pencil and last approximately 10-15 minutes.

Late work / Missed work / Error submitting

There will be no make up quizzes or alternate quiz times under any circumstances.  At the end of the semester, the two lowest quiz grades will be dropped.

Exams

When

There will be four exams given over the course of the semester. The exams take place in the evenings and the dates can be found on the course calendar. Due to the size of the course, the exam will take place in numerous locations across campus. Information about where you should take the exam will be announced prior to each exam.

Absences / No Makeups

There will be no make-up exams under any circumstances . Instead of allowing make-up exams, we will only count three of the four exams towards your final grade, effectively dropping your lowest exam grade. For many people this means that if you do well enough on the first three exams then taking the final is optional. If you have a conflict with an exam, however, then you will be expected to use that as your drop and take the final exam. The one exception to this rule is during the final exam period. Students who have an exam that conflicts with our final exam can reach out to the instructor to reschedule the final.

We do allow other WashU faculty members to proctor the exams for school-related travel. There are some restrictions:  1) A faculty member must contact us a week in advance and indicate a willingness to proctor the exam. 2) The proctor must be present for the duration of the exam and enforce the same conditions as an on-campus exam. 3) The exam must start and end at the same times as it would if it were taken on campus (we will email PDFs of the exams to the proctor 30 minutes before the start of the on-campus exam; they are responsible for printing them). 4) The proctor must email a record of completed work within 1 hour of the end of the on-campus exam (clear, legible cell phone photos of each page are acceptable). 5) The proctor must return the written exam within 5 calendar days.  

Grading Concerns

Following the return of each exam there will be a brief period (1 week) where you may request problems be regraded.  The process will be described when exams are returned.  Regrade requests will not be accepted after this period.

Letter Grades

Letter grades (or pass/fail) will be determined by overall course score. No rounding is performed on your semester score: you must have at least the stated number of points to earn the associated grade. 

Score	Grade Option	Pass/Fail Option
93	A	Pass
90	A-
87	B+
83	B
80	B-
77	C+
73	C
70	C-
60	D	Fail
0	F

 

Collaboration & academic integrity

Academic integrity is an essential characteristic of any scholar!

To avoid problems, it is important to understand what forms of collaboration are encouraged and which forms constitute cheating. Please read this carefully and ask questions as needed. (Questions should be directed to an instructor, not TAs)

You are encouraged to work with other students on your assignments, and to help other students find and fix problems in their programs, provided that you comply with the following conditions:

• Give credit for help received. If you receive help from people (besides the TAs and the instructor) or other sources (such as AI tools like GPT), you must list them using comments in the material you submit.
• Give help appropriately. Your TAs receive training concerning how to help students in this course. You have probably not received that training. When helping someone, giving them solution is often not as beneficial as helping them think through the problem and develop the solution. Furthermore, the assistance of others is not allowed during demos or exams. True understanding of the material is required. Giving someone the solution to an assignment will not be enough for them to master the concepts and leave them unprepared.
• Work in groups only when allowed.
  • Studio work is collaborative and is always performed in groups of two to three people. Working in groups can be beneficial because you can discuss concepts, review possible alternatives, and catch each other's mistakes.
  • Assignment demos and exams must be completed individually, not in groups. Receiving outside help during a demo or an exam will result in an immediate referral to the Academic Integrity Coordinator.

  What happens if I am suspected of violating the academic integrity rules for this course?

  • All cases will be referred to the provost's office. That office hosts an Academic Integrity Coordinators who will do the following:
  • The AIC will contact the student and present the case that the student may have violated our rules.
  • The AIC will then present the student with options on how to proceed which may include accepting responsibility for the violation or requesting a hearing.

Additional course support

Learning Support

WashU supports the right of all enrolled students to an equitable educational opportunity and
strives to create an inclusive learning environment. In the event a physical or online environment,
learning activity, or learning interaction results in barriers to your inclusion due to a disability, please
contact WashU’s Disability Resources (DR) to engage in a process for determining and
communicating approved accommodations. As soon as possible after receiving an accommodation
from DR, send me your WashU Accommodation Letter. Because accommodations are not applied
retroactively, initiate your request to DR prior to, or at the beginning of, the academic term to
avoid delays in accessing accommodations once classes begin. https://disability.washu.edu/

Sexual Harassment and Assault

If you have experienced sex discrimination, sexual harassment or violence, we encourage you to
speak with someone as soon as possible. If you choose to share this information with me, as an
instructor I am required to report your disclosure to my department chair, dean, or the Gender
Equity and Title IX Compliance Office. You may also reach out to the Relationship & Sexual
Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center to receive confidential support and discuss your
options. https://titleix.wustl.edu/students/confidentiality-resources-support/

Religious Holidays

To ensure that accommodations may be made for students who miss class, assignments, or
exams to observe a religious holiday, you must inform me in writing before the end of the third
week of class, or as soon as possible if the holiday occurs during the first three weeks of the
semester. For more information, please see the university's Religious Holiday Class Absence
Policy.

Emergency Preparedness

Before an emergency affects our class, students can take steps to be prepared by downloading
the WashU SAFE App. In addition, each classroom contains a “Quick Guide for Emergencies”
near the door.

Resources for Students

WashU provides a wealth of support services that address academic, personal, and professional
needs. To start exploring resources that can help you along the way, please visit: Resources for
Students.