COM212: Course Description

Course COM212 Data Structures:

TR 11:50-1:05pm New London Hall Room 214 (Unix Lab)

Gary Parker
New London Hall Room 216 (ext. 5208)
Office hours: Tuesday / Wednesday 4-5pm
parker@computer.org

Jay Nash (jnash1@conncoll.edu)
Brooke Brandenburger (bbrandenb@conncoll.edu)

Jim O'Connor (joconno2@conncoll.edu)

Optional Text: Java Concepts, 6th or 7th Edition, by Cay Horstmann

Software: Our primary Java programming environment will be JDK, which will be available on all Unix workstations and PCs, and can be downloaded for use on Windows PCs from: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
For program editing we will primarily use Emacs or other text editor, which will be installed on all Unix workstations and PCs. Emacs can be obtained from GNU Software at: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/download.html

Web Page: http://cs.conncoll.edu/parker/com212

Abstract data structures such as lists, stacks, queues and trees will be studied as well as programming techniques using recursion and pointers. Principles of software design will be explored by constructing major programs.

This class will be oriented toward the thoughtful use of data structures to solve problems in programming. It will be taught in three parts. In the first part of the course, which will be primarily in the classroom, several abstract data types will be introduced using problem solving learning techniques. You will be presented with the desired properties for abstract data types and will be expected to come up with theoretical solutions. In the second part of the course, which will have heavy emphasis on work in the lab, you will learn and write Java class descriptions to implement many of the data structures previously introduced. The last part of the course, also having significant lab time, will concentrate on software engineering and expanding your Java programming abilities. A group project will allow students to experience how to plan and coordinate larger programming assignments.

Grading:

Exam	20%
Data Structures Notebook (optional)	10%
Homework	10%
Programming Assignments	40%
Class Participation	10%
Project	20%

Exam: There will be an exam covering data structures and recursion. Preparation for the test can be accomplished by doing the homework and participating in the discussions during the first part of the course.

Data Structures Notebook: To assist you in putting together a few key issues concerning data structures, you will have the opportunity to complete a data structures notebook. This is an optional assignment. If submitted, it will replace half of your exam grade. So if you are satisfied with your exam grade, you do not need to submit your notebook. Nevertheless, it would probably be worthwhile to keep it.
The main part of the notebook should be to give an explanation for each of the data structures covered (List, Stack, Queue, BST, AVL Tree, Heap, Hash, and Graph) along with their methods. You should put together a notebook that would explain to anybody who has taken COM110 all about the data structures that we have covered. In your explanation of each of the data structures covered, make sure you discuss alternative implementations and compare them with respect to performance. In addition, think of an possible application for each data structure.
The writing of this notebook is to be done individually, but you are free to discuss it with others (students, teaching assistants, professors) as desired. The notebook is to be typed, except figures can be hand drawn (do not copy and paste from my power point slides). It is to be emailed to me or handed in before the end of finals. I'm assuming that everyone will have these all correct since the answers will be covered in class and you can converse with others concerning them. The point is to force you to make sure that the data structures concepts are clear in your mind and give you a short summary of data structures for future use.

Homework: There will be homework due for every class during the first part of the course. It can be done in groups of up to three, but all individuals in the group need to be part of the discussion and familiar with the proposed solution. Each homework should take about 2 to 3 hours of thought (and group discussion if in a group) and 30 minutes to write down. The emphasis will be on the thoughtfulness of your response rather than its correctness. It is essential that HWs be turned in on time.

Programming Assignments: Several small assignments (one per topic) will be due during the second part of the course. The programming assignments can be done in groups of up to two. However, both members of the team need to be familiar with all aspects of the code and ready to answer questions from the professor / TAs during demos. Discussions between teams on methods to solve the problems are also permissible.

Class Participation: A large part of the learning experience will come from discussion of problems presented in class and from the homework. The participation grade will be determined by your participation in these discussions. The best way to get the maximum points is to come to every class ready to present/defend your ideas from the homework due that day. Good ways to reduce your participation grade include skipping class, consistently coming late, causing distractions in the classroom, and not paying attention.

Project: There will be a team project (up to 4 students). It will require an abstract data structure implementation for a given problem. In addition, it will require file storage capability and an interface to make it user friendly. Projects will be done in groups and presented to the class upon completion.

Credit Hour Definition A semester course is normally equivalent to four credit hours. Connecticut College complies with federal regulations defining the credit hour. For each credit hour awarded, a course will provide an average of at least one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction (class meetings, labs, review sessions, field trips, office hours, film screenings, tutorials, training, rehearsals, etc.) and at least two hours of out-of-class work (homework, preparatory work, practice, rehearsals, etc.) per week.

The Connecticut College Honor Code Academic integrity is of the utmost importance in maintaining the high standards of scholarship in our community. Academic dishonesty is considered to be a serious offense against the community and represents a significant breach of trust between the professor, the classmates, and the student. There are many forms of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, falsifying data, misrepresenting class attendance, submitting the same work in two courses without prior approval, unauthorized discussion or distribution of exams or assignments, and offering or receiving unauthorized aid on exams or graded assignments. Students violating the Honor Code may be referred to the college's Honor Council for resolution.

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    The student sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and non-discrimination policies are in the Sexual Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy, which can be found on CamelWeb, in the "Documents/Policies" section, under the Student Life section. There you will find the policies, definitions, procedures, and resources. If you need to report an incident or have any questions about the policy, you can contact the Associate Dean for Equity and Compliance Programs at 860-439-2624 or titleix@conncoll.edu, and her office is located in Cro Rm. 216.

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The ARC has compiled a series of resources for students (arc.digital.conncoll.edu). The ARC is open to the community:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00
Students may continue to use the ARC as a quiet study space, though social distancing and masks are required at ALL times. If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact Noel Garrett via email ngarrett@conncoll.edu or Anne Vera Cruz via email averacruz@conncoll.edu.

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Office of Student Accessibility Services Connecticut College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a documented disability and have been approved for academic accommodations, please have your Faculty Notification Letter emailed to me through the Student Accessibility online management system (AIM) and schedule a meeting during my office hours as early as possible in the semester so that we can discuss the logistics of your accommodations. If you are not approved for accommodations, but have a disability requiring academic accommodations, or have questions about applying for accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 860-439-5428 or sas@conncoll.edu.

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