CSCI 152 Introduction to Computer Science - Spring 2025, Lectures and Labs

Course Information

Lectures:

MWF 10:00 - 10:50 AM, Freedom Hall Room 303 (see link on Canvas course site)

Labs:

• Link to Laboratory Assignments and Practice Labs
• Monday, Wed, Friday: 11:00 - 11:50 (Session A), Freedom Hall Room 303 (see link on Canvas course site)

Professor:


Dr. Yana Kortsarts
Office: Freedom Hall 313
Phone: (610) - 499 - 4367
e-mail: ykortsarts@widener.edu
homepage: http://cs.widener.edu/~yanako

Office Hours:

Place: In Person Freedom 313 or ON ZOOM: Virtual Office Hours ZOOM link
Time:
• Monday:
  • 9:30 - 10:00 AM, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (In person/ZOOM, Freedom 313)
  • 6:00 - 6:30 PM (ZOOM ONLY)
• Wednesday:
  • 9:30-10:00 AM (In person, Freedom 313
  • 5:00 - 6:00 PM (ZOOM ONLY)
• Friday:
  • 9:30-10:00 AM, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (In person/ZOOM, Freedom 313)
• ADDITIONAL OFFICE HOURS ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
  YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO ykortsarts@widener.edu TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Recommended Text - NOT REQUIRED:

Starting Out with Python, 3rd Edition
Tony Gaddis
Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Online Free Textbook Resource

Problem Solving in C and Python: Programming Exercises and Solutions, Part 1 By Yana Kortsarts, Yulia Kempner, Leonid Kugel, Adam Fischbach (editor), Zuny Jamatte (cover design/art creator), & Michal Kortsarts (cover design/art creator)

Course Description

This course is continuation of CSCI 151. Part I of the course covers advanced Python and Part II of the course covers introduction to C programming language. Important: In this course we are working with PYTHON 3 (https://www.python.org/), C programming language, and LINUX operating system

Tentative Course Topics:

• Functions
• Formal and Actual Prameters
• One-Dimensional Lists/Arrays
• Two-Dimensional Lists/Arrays
• Program Design

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of the main computer programming concepts including functions, formal and actual parameters, one-dimensional and two-dimensional lists and arrays in Python and C.
• Apply basic problem-solving techniques to describe and understand the problem statement and think through input/process/output program development cycle.
• Apply basic algorithmic problem-solving techniques to solve moderately complex problems.
• Analyze, trace, and explain the behavior of moderately complex programs involving fundamental programming constructs in Python and C.
• Design, implement, debug and test moderately complex programs in Python and C

Corresponding Computer Science/Computer Information Systems Outcomes

• 2.1 Design and implement software in multiple languages.
• 2.4 Use proper data structures and algorithms when designing software.

Corresponding Science Goal

• Employs logical reasoning and problem-solving methodologies to construct algorithms.

Corresponding A&S Goals

• Goal 2: A liberally educated graduate thinks critically.
  • 2.a. Makes claims and draws conclusions that require the analysis and evaluation of evidence.
• Goal 4: A liberally education graduate has developed a wide range of intellectual perspectives and methodologies.
  • 4.a. Evaluates the workings of the natural and physical world using theories and models that can be tested by experiments and observations.

Corresponding Widener University Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs)

• ILO 1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and scholarship appropriate to their major field of study.
• ILO 2. Students will be able to think critically and communicate effectively.

Policies

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS POLICY - IMPORTANT!

Students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools (Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning tools) such as ChatGPT, DALL.E, Bard, Bing, Copilot, etc., on any assignments (exams, labs, homework, lecture and lab activities, etc.) in this course. Each student is expected to complete each assignment without substantive assistance from others, including advanced automated tools. If you use AI tools to complete your assignments, it will be considered cheating, and you will receive a grade of 0 (zero) It is not recommended to use AI tools as study aids for this course. It is advisable to rely on instructor-approved textbooks and course materials to ensure you are learning the correct information. AI tools can often provide inaccurate or misleading outputs, which may contain mistakes or errors. Using these tools could make your learning more difficult rather than helping you.

COPYING FROM THE INTERNET

There is certainly an infinite number of solved programs that you can find by browsing the Internet. Copying these programs and claiming them to be yours is considered cheating.

Attendance Policy

Widener University Attendance Policy will be applied

Academic Fraud

The Science Division strictly enforces the University's policy on cheating and other forms of academic fraud.

Student Academic Grievance Procedure

If a student has a grievance concerning a class in which he/she is enrolled, he/she will first try to resolve the problem with the instructor of the class. If it is impossible to resolve the matter at this level, then the grievance must be placed in writing and appealed in the following order:
• Division or Program Head
• Dean of Arts and Sciences (Arts and Sciences Academic Council)
• Provost of the University
• University Academic Council
All student grievances will first be referred to the class instructor before they are treated at the level of the Division Head.

Please see Widener's Undergraduate Catalog for:
Standards for Academic Integrity, Appeal Procedures for Student Academic Grievances, and Attendance Policy

Learning Accommodations

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any student has the right to request reasonable accommodation of a disability. Accommodations can be requested through Academic Support Services, Disabilities Services (520 E. 14th St., 610-499-1266). Disabilities Services is the office that authorizes all accommodations on campus. Please note that you will need to present documentation of your disability to Disabilities Services. It is important to make this request as soon as possible so that we will have time to make any necessary arrangements

Academic Support, Guidance & Skills-Building Resources

Widener mySuccess Plan website

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

• NO CELL PHONES. Cell phones must be turned off for the duration of the class.
• All electronic devices except cell phones are permitted, unless otherwise specified.

Evaluation Criteria and Policies

• EXAMS AND GRADED LABS POLICY
  AI Tools and Internet (except access to Canvas and assignment description) are NOT allowed to be used in exams and graded labs (see AI Tools policy). An announcement will be made in advance if it is necessary to change the exam date.
  Make-up exams and lab assignments
  
  Any make-up for the exams and lab assignments must be arranged in advance and done IN CLASS.
• Requirement for all IN CLASS GRADED WORK
  You will need to start and finish your graded word in class during your regular lecture/lab period.
• Tentative Exams/Graded Labs Schedule
  • Starting second week of classes, the weekly graded lab assignments will be given every Friday except the following Fridays when the Exams are given. In addition, the weekly graded practice labs will be given on Monday or/and Wednesday except the following Wednesdays when the Exams are given.
    • Exam 1: Friday, January 24
    • Exam 2: Friday, February 7
    • Exam 3: Friday, February 21
    • Exam 4: Friday, March 7
    • Exam 5: Friday, March 28
    • Exam 6: Wednesday, April 16
  • The duration of the exam/graded labs is 50 minutes

  • ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Students will be notified at least one week prior any change in exam/graded lab date. The changes will be posted on the course website and sent by e-mail. CHECK THE COURSE WEBSITE AND WIDENER E-MAIL REGULARLY.

    The work handed in must be the student's own work.
    Assignments which are written in groups are easily identifies and will receive grades of 0 for all participants.

  The weights of the lecture assignments, laboratory assignments, quizzes and exams in the final grade are as follows:

  Your laboratory grade will be calculated as below,
  and will then combined with your lecture grade.

  Laboratory Grade

  In class Graded Lab Assignments	65%
  In class Graded Lab Practice	35%
  Total	100%

  Laboratory grade will contribute 50% of your final grade in the course.

  Final Grade

  Labs	50%
  Exams	45%
  Homework, In-Class Lecture Activities	5%
  Total	100%

  Grading System

  Final Grade Table

  A:	95 - 100
  A-:	90 - 94
  B+:	87 - 89
  B:	83 - 86
  B-:	80 - 82
  C+:	77 - 79
  C:	73 - 76
  C-:	70 - 72
  D+:	67 - 69
  D:	60 - 66
  F:	59 - 0





For Exams, Quizzes, Graded Labs see links below

Laboratory Assignments

Course and Reading Material

Program Examples






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All information in this document is subject to change throughout the semester. Check the course website and your Widener e-mail regularly, any changes will be indicated on the course website and sent by e-mail. Students will be notified about any change at least one week in advance.

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