SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

The schedule for this class closely follows the structure of the required textbook, "Starting Out with Python." We'll start with a high-level discussion of how computers work, then begin digging into a range of programming concepts. Most classes will combine lecture-style instruction with hands-on class exercises when you'll "learn by doing". Therefore, be sure to bring your laptop to class each day.

Below you'll find a TENTATIVE schedule for the semester. Please note that all topics/dates/etc. are subject to change at any time. I fully expect to make adjustments multiple times over the course of the semester.

Most course readings are from the required textbook "Starting Out With Python", which is referenced as SOWP throughout the schedule. TENTATIVE schedule for the semester. Please note that all topics/dates/etc. are subject to change at any time. I fully expect to make adjustments multiple times over the course of the semester.

Attention:

The schedule includes readings and exercises that are assigned as preparation for each class. These assignments (shown with a thick gray bar in the schedule) should be completed PRIOR to the start of the corresponding class.

While ungraded, this preparation is essential for your success in this course. It will provide you with a foundation that we will build upon in class through both lectures and hands-on exercises, both of which are designed with the assumption that you will have completed the assigned preparation tasks. In addition, it will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to complete your programming assignments. Finally, the material covered in these pre-class assignments will be potential topics for exam questions.

 

DETAILED SCHEDULE

January
12Class 1Course Overview
Envirionment Setup
A1 Assigned: Hello, World
14Class 2Introduction to Computers and Programming
•Read SOWP Chapter 1
•Exercises 3-5 from SOWP Chapter 1 Pages 28-29)
19Class 3Types, Variables, and Operators
•Read SOWP Chapter 2
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 2, 4, 8, 10 from SOWP Chapter 2 (Pages 76-77)
A1 Due
21Class 4Decision Structures
•Read SOWP Chapter 3
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 2-4 from SOWP Chapter 3 (Pages 114-115)

A2 Assigned: Compound Interest
26Class 5Repetition with Loops
•Read SOWP Chapter 4: Sections 4.1-4.4
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 3-4 from SOWP Chapter 4 (Pages 161)
28Class 6Repetition with Loops Part 2
•Read SOWP Chapter 4: Sections 4.5-4.7
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 6, 8 from SOWP Chapter 4 (Pages 161)
A2 Due
A3 Assigned: Square Roots
February
2Class 7Functions Part 1
•Read SOWP Chapter 5: Sections 5.1-5.6
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 1, 2, 3, 4 from SOWP Chapter 5 (Pages 228)
4Class 8Functions Part 2
•Read SOWP Chapter 5: Sections 5.7-5.10
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 8, 9, 10 from SOWP Chapter 5 (Pages 229)
A3 Due
A4 Assigned: Blackjack
9Class 9Abstraction and Decomposition: Problem Sovling By "Breaking it Down"
•Read Decomposition on Wikipedia
•Read How to Solve It on Wikipedia
11Class 10Working with Files
•Read SOWP Chapter 6: Sections 6.1-6.3
•Algorithm Workbench Problem 1 from SOWP Chapter (Pages 288)
16Class 11Catching and Handling Exceptions
•Read SOWP Chapter 6: Section 6.4
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 9, 10 from SOWP Chapter 6 (Pages 288)
A4 Due
A5 Assigned: Assigning Grades
18Class 12Lists
•Read SOWP Chapter 7: Sections 7.1-7.4
•Short Answer Problems 1-5 from SOWP Chapter 7 (Pages 333)
23Class 13Lists Part 2
•Read SOWP Chapter 7: Sections 7.5-7.7
•Algorithm Workbench Problem 4 from SOWP Chapter 7 (Pages 334)
25Class 14Lists Part 3, Tuples
•Read SOWP Chapter 7: Sections 7.8-7.9
•Algorithm Workbench Problem 8 from SOWP Chapter 7 (Pages 334)
March
1Class 15Open Review Session: Come prepared with your questions!
At the end of this class, I will distribute an ungraded take-home "midterm" exam. Completing the exam is worth 10% of your class participation grade, regardless of how accurately you answer the questions.
A5 Due
E1 Assigned: Take-Home "Midterm" Exam
3Class 16Strings
•Read SOWP Chapter 8
•Short Answer Problems 1-5 from SOWP Chapter 8 (Pages 364-365)
8Class 17Class will be canceled.
10Class 18Dictionaries
•Read SOWP Chapter 9: Section 9.1
•Short Answer Problems 1-6 from SOWP Chapter 9 (Pages 413)
E1 Due
15Spring Break
17Spring Break
22Class 19Class will be canceled. However, please note that A6 is officially assigned on this date.A6 Assigned: Managing Collections
24Class 20More Dictionaries; Sets
•Read SOWP Chapter 9: Section 9.2
•Short Answer Problems 13-17 from SOWP Chapter 9 (Pages 413-414)
29Class 21Introduction to the Object-Oriented Paradigm (OOP)
•Read SOWP Chapter 10: Section 10.1
•Watch 'What Is Object-Oriented Language?' on YouTube
31Class 22Classes and Instances in Python: Part 1
•Read SOWP Chapter 10: Sections 10.2-10.4
•Short Answer Problems 1-4 from SOWP Chapter 10 (Page 475)
April
5Class 23Classes and Instances in Python: Part 2
•Short Answer Problems 5-7 from SOWP Chapter 10 (Page 475)
7Class 24OOP Review and In-Class Design Problem: Battleship
•Read Description of the Battleship Game on Wikipedia
•Watch Battleship Board Game on YouTube
•Try playing a free online version of the game.
A6 Due
A7 Assigned: Battleship
12Class 25Inheritance
•Read SOWP Chapter 11
•Short Answer Problems 1-3 from SOWP Chapter 11 (Page 503)
14Class 26Recursion Part 1
•Read SOWP Chapter 12
•Algorithm Workbench Problems 2-3 from SOWP Chapter 12 (Page 524)
19Class 27Recursion Review and In-Class Design Problem: Quicksort
21Class 28Web Programming
•Read CherryPy Overview, Introduction, and Tutorials 1-4
26Class 29Wrap-Up and ReviewA7 Due
May
3Final ExamFinal exam begins at 12:00 noon on Tuesday May 3.