Lecture Sections
CRN: 12344, 12346 MW 9:05-9:55 Whittamore 300
CRN: 12345, 17831 MW 11:15-12:05 Whittamore 300
Lab Sections
CRN: 12344 R 5:00-6:50 Lavery 320
CRN: 12345 F 2:00-3:50 Lavery 330
CRN: 12345 F 2:00-3:50 Randolf 221
CRN: 17831 R 5:00-6:50 Lavery 340
Instructor: David McPherson
Office: 341 Durham Hall
231-2133
dmcphers@vt.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday 9-11
Thursday 9-11
Friday 9-11
and by appointment; email me at dmcphers@vt.edu
GTA:
TBD
Check the SWEL Schedule for their hours: http://www.cel.ece.vt.edu/SWEL/SWEL-schedule.html -- This is not updated yet
Software support TA's may be available other times: See Calendar for complete listing of SWEL office hours.
Course Web Page: http://filebox.ece.vt.edu/~ece1574/spring14/index.html
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:
C- or better in Math 1205 and ENGR 1024.
You should get a copy of one (or more) of the following depending on your needs.
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ - Bjarne Stroustrup - 2009 - ISBN 978-0-321-54372-1
How to Solve It - George Polya - 1988 - ISBN 978-0-691-11966-3
We are going to use Microsoft Visual Studio as our compiler but we will not use it for project creation. You can get MSVS from DreamSpark http://www.eng.vt.edu/it/dreamspark I recommend 2012 Professional. Although Powershell comes with Windows, I recommend upgrading it to 4.0. You can get that here http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40855
Grades are based on the following weights:
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 5% |
| Labs/Homework | 15% |
| Project(s) | 40% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
Grading Policies: Most assignments will require programming in C++. All homework must be turned in by the time/date indicated on the assignment. No late homework will be accepted; however when an automatic grading system is used, you may turn in your work late for an automatic penalty, typically 10 points per day. Also for projects, I typically also give bonus points for turning in work early.
I will take attendance every week at least once a week. I feel that attendance is mandatory in order to ensure that you are present to learn. I have found that when I have required attendance, grades have gone up. I will drop some of the attendance, so if you miss one for an illness, you should not be penalized.
Students are expected to take all examinations during the announced time periods - NO makeup examinations will be given! If you miss a midterm examination for a reason that has been approved in advance, the weighting of your final exam will be increased by the weight of the midterm. Exams missed for unapproved reasons will result in a grade of zero. Note the last day to reschedule the Final Exam is April 18, 2014. The final exam for both CRNs is TBD.
If you feel that an error has been made in grading any homework or examination, you must present a written appeal to the grader (GTA for homework, instructor for the exams) within one week after the assignment or exam is returned to you. Verbal appeals are not considered. Your appeal should be specific.
Last Day to Drop: March 3, 2014
Deadline to Request Exam Reschedule: April 18, 2014
Final Exam:
TBD
Course Website: Students are expected to access class resources via the course website http://filebox.ece.vt.edu/~ece1574/spring14. This is the primary way assignments, examples, notes, and other information will be distributed and programming assignments collected. You should check the site daily for updates.
Class Attendance and Classroom Conduct: Students are expected to attend class and contribute to the discussion. Distractions (e. g., arriving to class late or leaving early) are disrespectful to the entire class and will not be tolerated.
Honor Code: Adherence to Virginia Tech's honor code is expected in all phases of this course. All graded work is expected to be the original work of the individual student unless otherwise directed by the instructor. In working on the assignments, discussion and cooperative learning are allowed and, in fact, encouraged for recitation problem sets. However, copying or otherwise using another person's solutions to the homework problems is an honor code violation. Solutions are to be the work of the individual student. In all assignments, including homework, you may discuss general concepts, such as algorithms, C++ syntax, Internet resources, or class and text topics, with others. However, copying of specific homework program-code is an honor code violation. We will use automated comparison tools to detect such violations. Such tools have been very effective in the past. Any violations of the honor code will automatically be forwarded to the Office of the Honor System.
University Closings: In case of inclement weather you may call 231-6668 to find out if any University closings are scheduled. If the University is closed during the regular course hours any assignment due on that day will be due the next class meeting (including assignments turned in via the website). If the closing occurs on an exam day, the exam will be given at the next class meeting.
Students should work through Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in 310 Lavery Hall. Any student with accommodations through the SSD Office should contact me during the first two weeks of the semester.
If participation in some part of this class conflicts with your observation of specific religious holidays during the semester, please contact me during the first two weeks of class to make alternative arrangements.
If you miss class due to illness, especially in the case of an exam or some deadline, see a professional in Schiffert Health Center. If deemed appropriate, documentation of your illness will be sent to the Dean's Office for distribution to me. If you experience a personal or family emergency that necessitates missing class, contact the Dean of Students at 231-3788 or see them in 310 Lavery Hall.
If you would like a text version of this syllabus, here you go