Professor Roger Kraft
Office: Classroom Office Building, Room 368
Office phone: (219) 989-2696
Office hours: 2:00--3:00 MTWR, and by appointment.
E-mail: rlkraft@pnw.edu
Text: Data Structures & Other Objects Using Java, 4th Edition, by Michael Main, Pearson, 2012.
Supplemental Texts (all available online):
Introduction to Programming Using Java (PDF) by David J. Eck
How to Think Like a Computer Scientist, Java Version by Allen B. Downey
Java Structures (PDF) by Duane A. Bailey
This course is an introduction to data structures. We will cover the use and implementation of the most important data structures (linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees). All of these data structures will be studied using the concepts of Abstract Data Types (public interface vs. private implementation). We will also study how recursion can be used both to process and define data structures.
In addition to the study of data structures, three other subjects will be important in this course, the Java programming language, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), and generics. We will see how object oriented programming techniques, in particular Java generics, can be used to define and implement abstract data types. All of the programming assignments will be done in Java and make use of object oriented programming and design.
We will cover Chapters 1 - 9 and Chapter 12 of the textbook. Your grade for this course will be based on about eight programming assignments and two exams in the following manner:
40% programming assignments,
30% 1st exam,
30% 2nd exam.
Tentative dates for the two exams are
Exam 1 Thursday, October 13
Exam 2 Final exam week.
Each of the programming assignments will have a due date. To receive full credit for an assignment, it must be turned in by the due date. All programs handed in late will be marked off 10% of the total points for each calendar day late up to a maximum of 50%. If an assignment is more than two weeks late, then I reserve the right not to accept it for credit. When you complete a programming assignment you will turn in the source code for your solution using the university's course management system. In this course web site there are detailed instructions on how assignments are to be turned in. You will be expected to follow the instructions. Also in this web site is information on the criteria used to grade your programming assignments.
You should turn in your own work for each programming assignment. Here is what that means: You may talk with your classmates about the course material and the ideas behind each homework assignment but you should solve each problem on your own and write your own code for the solution. Turning in someone else's solution (or even a modified version of someone else's solution) is a breach of academic integrity. Similarly, giving a copy of your solution to someone else in the class is also a breach of academic integrity. If you need help with a homework assignment, come and ask me. You can ask me as many questions as you want! Please do not hesitate to ask me questions after class, in my office, in an e-mail message, over the phone, etc.
The final grades for this course will use a plus and minus grading system. The possible grades for this course, and a tentative grading scale for the grades, is given in the table below. The final grading scale that I use may not quite be the same as the one given below (the grade cutoffs might be lower, but they will not be any higher than what is given in this table).
| A | 93 - 100 |
| A- | 90 - 92 |
| B+ | 88 - 89 |
| B | 83 - 87 |
| B- | 80 - 82 |
| C+ | 78 - 79 |
| C | 70 - 77 |
| D+ | 68 - 69 |
| D | 63 - 67 |
| D- | 60 - 62 |
| F | 59 or less |
In this web site you will find more information about this course. There are links to online help and documentation for Java, information about course reading assignments, and, very importantly, all of your homework assignments and their due dates will be posted in these web pages.
The software that you need to do all of your programming assignments are on computers in the Mathematics Computer Labs in CLO 363 and CLO 365. If you wish to work at home, I will show you in class how to install and use a couple of different Java development environments.
The objectives for this course are as follows.
Students who may need accommodations due to disability should contact the Office of Disability Resources (ODR) to discuss specific needs. The ODR is located on the third floor of the Student Union & Library Building, Room 341. If accommodations for a student are approved by that office, the student must provide his/her instructor with a copy of the official accommodations letter as soon as it is received in order to obtain accommodations. Students may contact the Office of Disability Resources by calling (219) 989-2455 or emailing odr@pnw.edu.
Ethics are an integral part of being a student and a professional. Academic integrity is the hallmark of this University. Therefore, Purdue University does not tolerate academic dishonesty in any form. If a student breaches integrity, the student risks sanctions in both the academic and conduct arenas. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use of other's intellectual property (plagiarism), and lying to an instructor or any University employee. Such actions WILL result in a failing grade on the assignment with the strong possibility of referral to the Office of the Dean of Students for a conduct sanction (see the Purdue University Calumet Student Handbook available from the Dean of Students office).
An information sheet, with instructions for various types of possible emergencies, is posted in each room on campus. These possibilities include criminal activity, fire, medical emergencies, and noises sounding like gunshots. Students are strongly encouraged to review this instruction sheet carefully and acquaint themselves with these important guidelines.