Mercyhurst Programming I with Processing

General Information

Name:Dr. Charles Redmond

Office:Zurn 216

Phone Extension:2355

Email Address:credmond@mercyhurst.edu

Course Number:MIS 126

Section:01

Term:Spring 2011

Location:Old Main Advanced Lab

Time:8 AM - 9:45 AM

My office is in Zurn 216, but since I need access to the computers to help you, I will hold all of my office hours in the labs. I will hold hours everyday after class from 9:45-11. Also, if you need to see me outside of these hours, please contact me so that we can set up a time that is convenient for both you and me. If, by the end of the week, I have not met my quota of at least 6 office hours, I will make up the difference on the weekend, and I will of course announce these weekend office hours.

The only required textbook for the course is Getting Started with Processing by Casey Reas and Ben Fry, who are the original developers of the language. There are, however, many books now on the market about Processing. You do not need another book for this course, but you might consider eventually adding the following to your personal library:

Many of these would be good references for you even now. Some, however, may be a tough read, so you may want to check with me first if you are thinking of making additional book purchases.

We will be using the Processing programming language and environment, which is available for free at http://www.processing.org/

Course Policies

It is very important that you make every effort to attend class. It is much more difficult to learn the material on your own. If you miss class regularly, the chances are that you will not do as well in the course as you would have done otherwise. I will take attendance every day so that I know who attends and who does not. Remember, a prerequisite for additional help outside the classroom is regular class attendance, and you are responsible for what is announced or covered in class even if you are absent.

I WILL NOT RE-TEACH CLASS LESSONS, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MISS CLASS! Get to know your classmates. If you miss class, get the notes, study the notes, and try the homework. See me then with your questions.

We will have a midterm and a cumulative final, each worth 25% of your final grade. The other 50% of your grade will come from performance on the assignments. Grades will be determined according to the following scale:

  • 94% - 100% A
  • 90% - 93.99% B+
  • 84% - 89.99% B
  • 78% - 83.99% C+
  • 70% - 77.99% C
  • 65% - 69.99% D+
  • 60% - 64.99% D
  • 0% - 59.99% F

Working the sliders below will help you understand what combinations of scores will result in particular letter grades.

0% midterm
0% final
0% assignments

F letter grade

I will be giving you relatively short programming assignments to help you master the material we are covering. (I will probably give you at least one a week.) All of these assignments are to be turned in by the given due date. Points will be deducted from your overall assignment grade for unexcused, late and/or incomplete submissions. Also, if you have many late submissions, I will begin to deduct points for future late submissions, even if you have an excuse.

I will be using Moodle, a free and open-source alternative to Blackboard, to collect your assignments and to post grades. I will give you an orientation to Moodle on one of the first few days of class.

In keeping with college policy, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations must call the Learning Differences Program secretary at 824-3017, to arrange a confidential appointment with the director of the Learning Differences Program during the first week of classes.