This class is always quite unusual.  This year we have three primary tasks. 

• Learn Java
  
• Learn the new programming concepts needed for the AB exam
• Work on "large" programming projects

    To accomplish the first two goals we will go through Java Au Naturel at an accelerated rate.  I will post a schedule of when each chapter need be finished, assign homework assignments and assign a quick lab or two when appropriate.  I will collect the assignments as needed (and will always announce in advance when this is to happen)  However, this is a advanced class for self-motivated students.  I will not be checking you at each and every step to ensure you are doing this.  I will however, at the start of the class schedule frequent quizzes on each chapter to ensure you are learning the material from the book such that you get up to speed as quickly as possible with Java. 
    Given the class size, I will rarely "lecture", and instead I will be able to work much more on a one-on-one basis with you to explain concepts and make sure you are progressing well. 
    For the third goal you will work on at least one big project.  About half of your grade the first semester will be determined by how you do on this.  This is generally the focus of the second semester college class that the AB exam is trying to approximate.  I will have a number of topics available, and it will be due near the end of the semester.  You will work in a small team or on your own, but you will be covering advanced topics (such as GUI programming, network programming, database programming, etc) and will be required to use as many topics from the AB exam as possible.  I will talk more about this as the semester goes on.  The projects will start probably 1 month into the semester once you all have enough background in Java.

The rough class schedule more or less looks like the following:

September
    Learn the basics of Java (and take quizzes to back it up)
October
    Assign the projects and start work on them while we continue to learn Java (and take quizzes)
November- End of semester
    Begin covering AB Data Structure methods and advanced topics
End of January
    Projects due
February-AP
    Continue learning AB topics, work on the case study, and work on either new projects or extend existing ones (we will figure this out when we get closer)

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Grading

    I will announce in advance if an assignment is to be graded.  Generally only count on the quizzes being graded, the project being graded and the class participation being graded. 

    Quizzes will consist entirely of multiple choice questions with a possibility of short answers and will consist of about 30% of the grade in the class.

    Projects and project participation will consist of about 50% of the grade in the class.

    Class Participation and other graded assignments will consist of the remaining 25% of the class. 

    Yes, I know that adds up to more than 100%.  Realistically, the extra credit policies that work in CSAP really don't work here, so the extra 5% is to make up for that.

    The resulting percentage is then graded as follows:

90-100+%	A
80-89.9%	B
70-79.9%	C
60-69.9%	D
< 60%	F

Note: I reserve the right to change any of this as the semester goes on, but no significant changes will be made such that it makes it harder to get a good grade. And as always I reserve the right to make individual assessments beyond the grading system.

last updated on 10/09/03
Copyright (C) 2003 Jim Casaburi