Textbook

We will be using online interactive learning environment that is called Zybook and that is both a textbook and a programming environment. The cost to subscribe for one semester is 63$:

1. Sign up at zyBooks.com
2. Enter zyBook code TULANECMPS1500KurdiaFall2016
3. Click Subscribe

The first graded homework will be assigned on the first day of class and will be due before the Wed. lecture. Hence, it’s important not to delay signing up for the book.

• If you receive financial aid for books, and are still waiting for it to arrive, you should write to the publisher and explain the situation. In the past they were able to give the students an opportunity to pay later.  
• If you drop the class within the first few weeks of the semester, you can write to publisher and receive a refund.

Computers

We will not be using computers in lectures (MWF). In fact, the use of computers (or other electronics) in lectures is not allowed to minimize distraction for the class, and to benefit from handwritten note-taking.

We will be using computers in the labs (on Tuesday). You should bring a charged laptop to each lab.

• If you don’t have a laptop, you will be able to work on the loaner laptop in lab and use shared campus computers or your desktop computer to complete homework. Not having a computer will not impact your progress in the course.
• It doesn’t matter which operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc) your computer uses and what type of computer (Mac or PC) you have.

Software

Python

Starting this Tuesday, we will begin writing computer programs in a computer language called Python. You should download and install Python 3 before the lab:

https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-352/

• If you have problems during installation, don’t worry, the TA will help you get set up during the lab

Mimir Platform

We will be using Mimir Platform https://mimirplatform.io/ for submitting lab assignments. If you’re registered, you should be able to access Mimir through Canvas (see Modules for our course).

If you’re not registered, you should make an account on Mimir Platform and join the course, our course ID is 4d8ad43e8e.

Arkaive

We will be using Arkaive to automatically track attendance. Before Monday lecture, go to https://arkaive.com  (or directly to your appstore) and download a student app on your smartphone. Then sign up for the right section:

11 am lecture section: enrollment code MCQP

1 pm lecture section: enrollment code 0C74

• If you don’t have a smartphone, you will let me know and I’ll be marking your attendance manually.
• The app functionality required for participation in this class is free. If the app offers you some paid features, you don’t need to purchase them to participate in this class.

Getting into class

At this time all sections are full and new sections won’t be opened this term. The waitlist is longer than usual; in the past all students who wanted to get in were able to get in. The class will be offered again in Fall 17. Unfortunately, I am not able to manually enroll more students than the official cap, nor am I able to facilitate section switch.

If you’re on the waitlist and are interested in eventually joining this class, you should come to lectures, labs, sign up  for Zybook and do the homework, login to Canvas, check in with Arkive, and otherwise participate as if you were already officially registered. If you wait to go full-speed until you are officially registered, you will fall behind and won’t have time to catch up.

On Friday, September 2nd, all wait lists will be deleted from the online system. From that point forward, if spots open up during the remaining online registration period (ending Friday, 9/9) due to other students dropping, it’s a free-for-all in the sense that it won’t matter what a student’s previous spot on the waitlist may have been – or if he/she had been on the waitlist at all. If a spot’s open, it would be up for grabs by whomever sees it first; we may not alter who gets in first.

The last day to add classes through Gibson online is Friday, September 9th. After that, students can still drop classes without record until Friday, September 30. The final deadline to drop a class, with record, is Monday, October 31st.

Missing first class(es)

If you have problems with arrival or otherwise have serious reasons to miss the first classes, you refer to course page and course schedule, and course Canvas page, to follow along the material and to get the administrative info that you missed. You can come to my office hours or TA office hours to resolve the questions, doubts or concerns regarding the missed material (but only after you had a chance to familiarize with it on your own). Unfortunately, I will not be able to answer individual emails like “Please let me know what I missed”.