Cañada College

Building 22, Room 118
2:10-3:30 pm TTh

Prerequisites

This is a second semester Java programming course.  Thus, you should have successfully completed an introductory Java programming course in which you learned Java language syntax.  It is assumed that you understand Java fundamentals such as:  program block structure, variable declarations and scoping rules, arithmetic, relational and logical expression evaluation, control structures, scalar data types, arrays, classes and dynamic memory allocation.  CIS 284/285 with a grade of C or better.

Materials

• Algorithms in Java (3rd Edition) by Sedgewick (ISBN 0-201-36120-5)

Grading

Your grade will be based on:

• Homework and Exercises (50%)
• Exams and Quizzes (50%)

Course Description

CIS 286 focuses on object-oriented programming techniques to construct several useful data structures (various types of array-based lists, linked lists and tree structures) and to implement various sorting and searching algorithms (linear, binary search and hashing) and efficient ways to traverse a graph. 

Homework

Programming exercises will be done in class and will also be assigned as homework. Student programs will often be reviewed in class. Programs are evaluated according to the following considerations:

• Does the program work (i.e., does it react in a correct or reasonable way to all input, whether that input is reasonable or not)?
• How well does the program handle boundary conditions?
• Was the program written with the tools and within the constraints outlined in the assignment?
• Does it make use of the methods and design guidelines discussed in class?
• Was reasonable judgement used in tackling any "gray areas?"
• Is the source code clear, readable and well-commented?
• Could someone understand the program without having read the assignment?
• Is the code efficient and to the point?
• Is it portable?
• Is it original?

Exams

Frequent quizzes, two midterm exams and a final project will be given.

Expectations

I can help you succeed in this class, but I can't succeed for you. In this class you're expected to be responsible for your own academic success.

• That means you are expected to attend class and to arrive on time (2 lates equals 1 absence, 5 absences leads to a drop).
• If you're going to miss class, you should notify me ahead of time, either by phone or email.
• You are expected to contribute to class discussions and to ask questions when something is not clear.
• You are expected to do your homework assignments before the class when they are due and to seek help from me or your classmates if you are having difficulty completing them.
• You should check WebAccess (http://smccd.mrooms.net/) for assignments, class demonstration programs and exam solutions if you miss class.
• You are expected to see me during office hours for additional help or to take make-up exams.

If you have a Mac, you probably already have Java installed.  For Windows and Linux, Sun's Java 2 Platform Standard SDK 1.6.3 is available for free download at:  http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

Click on "Download" JDK 6 Update 3 for Windows or Linux.

Sun also has a useful free Java Tutorial available at:  http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html