CSC 1301 Syllabus Spring 2023

CSC 1301 Section 054

Part 1: Course Information

Instructor:Nat Kumaresan
Office:      Dunwoody, Room: NE2507      
Advising & Tutoring Hours: M,W: 2:15PM – 3:00PM; T,R: 11:15AM – 1:00 PM

Virtual Office: VIA WEBEX: M,W 10 -11:30 AM

            at   http://gsumeetings.webex.com/meet/nkumaresan    (Type the URL in your browser)

Office Telephone: 770-274-5362   (Please leave a message)

E-mail: Use iCollege email

Course Information

This course uses the Python programming language as an introduction to the fundamental
principles of programming and data analysis in computer science. It emphasizes structured,
top-down development and testing of computer programs. The course includes an overview
of computers and programming; problem solving and algorithm development; basic data
types; arithmetic and logic operators; selection structures; repetition structures; text files;
arrays; procedural abstraction and software design. Introductory DataScience concepts will
be discussed.

Credits:  4
Prerequisite:  Major in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering, MATH
1111 with a "C" or better or appropriate math placement score.
Textbook & Course Materials

Required Textbooks & Software:

There are 2 required textbooks and 1 required software platform (zyLabs).  Please
ensure you have access to all 3 required materials.
1.
1. Horstmann & Necaise, Python for Everyone  (3rd edition)
 ISBN: 9781119739951 
  Option 1 (preferred): Purchase Rental ($39) or Lifetime ($112.50)
directly from Vitalsource website
 Option 2: Purchase Rental ($39), Digital ($112.50), or Hard-Copy
($114.75) at the GSU Bookstore.  Please make sure you select the section

2. GSUCSC1301KumaresanSpring2023
 ISBN: 9798203080059  publisher: Zybooks
 Option 1 (preferred): Purchase through iCollege by clicking on any
zyBook.com link inside iCollege , which creates an account for you and
goes to our zyBook's home page.  *This option automatically registers
you inside the correct zyBook course.
 Option 2:  Purchase the prepaid access key at the GSU
Bookstore.  Please do not register you access code at zybooks.com. 
Click the zyBook link inside iCollege to register.

Recommended Texts & Other Readings

1.
1. Agarwal, 100 Page Python Intro (Version 1.2)
 Read online for Free:
https://learnbyexample.github.io/100_page_python_intro/cover.html
2. Driscoll, Python 101 (Version 1.0)
 Read online for Free: https://python101.pythonlibrary.org/
3. Sweigart, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (2nd edition)
 Read online for Free: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

Course Requirements

Computer with Internet Access: You will need consistent access to a laptop and Internet
connectivity and know-how to troubleshoot a few basic situations on your computer. At a
minimum, you need a computer that can access the Internet, preferably with a high-speed
connection.  Be sure to have a backup plan in case you run into emergencies (library, friend,
co-worker, parent).  Deadlines are not extended because of technical difficulties.

Webcam and Microphone:  You must have access to a reliable webcam and microphone in
order to take the Course Exams using Respondus Lockdown Browser.  Be sure to have a
backup plan in case you run into technical difficulties.

Computer Software:  You should have access to email, productivity software like
Microsoft Office and other applications needed to perform a variety of educational functions
(Examples: Internet browsing; managing, retrieving and sending files; using presentation
and spreadsheet functions.) Georgia State offers Microsoft 365 to currently enrolled students
free of charge.   

 You will need to download source code and installers for Python and an IDE(s)
to perform Python/ data science and machine learning on a single machine). 
Instructions for installing software follows in the Chapter 1 module.
 You will need to purchase access to zyBooks to complete the Lab portion of the
course (see above).
 You will need to download Respondus Lockdown Browser to complete exams. 
You can download this by completing the Lockdown Browser Quiz in iCollege.
Course Structure 

This course will be delivered in class. 

In addition, In iCollege, you will access online lessons (videos), course materials, and
resources. At designated times throughout the semester, we will participate in a blend of
activities using iCollege, Vitalsource, and/or zyBooks technologies. Activities will consist of
Reading, Discussion forums, Homework Quizzes, Programming Labs, Email, and Exams.

If you need technical assistance at any time during the course or to report a problem with
iCollege, you can visit GSU Techonology services: https://technology.gsu.edu/technology-
services/.

Part 2: Course Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

 Identify core aspects of programming and features of the Python programming

language by completing formative assessments such as self-check exercises and
multiple-choice quizzes.
 Program at an introductory level in the Python programming language by completing
formative "many small lab" programming assignments.
 Read basic Python programs, recognizing the structures such as decisions, looping,
and functions and be able to explain how they work by completing summative
assessments such as short-answer or fill in the blank questions.
 Design an appropriate algorithm and use it to develop an effective Python program by
completing large programming summative assessments using an IDE or other
software.
 Describe and implement best practices in Python by incorporating into programming
assessments.
  Understand the fundamentals of scientific computing in Python by implementing
NumPy, Matplotlib, and Pandas modules for numerically heavy algorithms in
programs that handle large amounts of data.

*Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping

education at Georgia State. Upon completing the course, please take the time to fill out the
online course evaluation.

Part 3: Important Dates

Event Date
Classes Begin: January 9
Official Holiday (no classes): January 16
Midpoint: February 28
Spring Break (no classes): March 13 - 19
Last Day of Class: April 24
Final Exam: May 1

Part 4: Grading Policy

Graded Course Activities

Participation (10%):  Your participation in this course will be assessed by your

involvement in weekly discussions. Discussions keep you connected to the class. Be sure to
take advantage of this opportunity to get to know your classmates, get help from your
classmates, and offer help to your classmates. It has been shown that more online interaction
and communication about computer programming will positively influence learning
outcomes.

In general, discussion posts are due each Monday @ 11:59 PM starting on the second week
of the semester. You may access Discussion topics via the Discussions link on the toolbar or
via the Interacting, Connecting, & Learning submodule. Instructions for individual
discussion posts will be provided weekly, with the discussion topic. There is an associated
Rubric for Discussion grades which requires the levels of competency.

Homework (15%):  There will be Chapter Reading with Self-Check Exercises located at
the end of each section in the Python for Everyone interactive textbook.  Reading
comprehension and completion of the exercises will be tested with a Homework Quiz. 
Students have two (2) attempts to complete each quiz and quizzes are "open book".  In
general, Homework will be due Monday @ 11:59 PM.  You may access Homework Quizzes
using the Assessments link on the toolbar or inside the Interacting, Connecting, &
Learning submodule.

Labs (20%):  There will be Programming Lab Assignments that will reinforce the topics
covered in the textbook.  Lab assignments will be completed in the zyLabs platform. 
Students have unlimited attempts to complete the labs in testing mode, but only one (1)
submission is counted for a grade.  More information on how to use zyLabs is located in the
Chapter 1 module.  In general, Labs will be due Monday @ 11:59 PM.  You may access
zyLabs inside the Interacting, Connecting, & Learning submodule.  You must complete
the labs through this link in iCollege to ensure grades are reported to iCollege.

Tests (30%):  There will be four (4) Tests.  Test 1, Test 2, and Test 3 will cover the topics
in the Python for Everyone textbook.  Test 4 will cover the topics in Python for Data
Analysis textbook.  You will have one (1) attempt and the exams will be timed.  These
exams will test a deeper understanding of course concepts. See the calendar for the dates of
the exams.  Respondus Lockdown Browser with Monitor will be required for Exams.  In
general, Tests will be due Monday @ 11:59 PM.  You may access Tests using the
Assessments link on the toolbar or inside the Interacting, Connecting, & Learning
submodule. 

Final Exam (25%):  The final exam must be taken in class on the scheduled date. The final
exam is cumulative and covers material from Chapters 1 - 10 in the Python for Everyone text
and Chapters 4, 5, & 9 in the Python for Data Analysis textbook.  More detailed information
about the final will be announced later in the semester. Respondus Lockdown Browser
with Monitor will be required for Exams.   These exams may NOT be taken outside of the
exam period.
Letter Grade Assignment 

A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 0 - 59%
W = Withdrawal by Midpoint

*Note:  A grade of 'D' is not considered passing the course in a STEM major.  Any grades
below a 'C' will have to repeat the course.

Part 5: Course Policies

TEST POLICY: The CSC 1301 tests and final exam are *proctored exams. The tests and
final exam is closed book and closed notes. All cell phones must be turned OFF during the
exams. Students will not be permitted to use cell phones, Bluetooth, headphones or any
listening device during the exams. Students cannot access external websites or other
materials during the proctored exams.

While other course exams/quizzes can be completed at home, students are expected to abide
by the college’s academic honesty policy while taking these exams. All work submitted
must be your own. Copying, plagiarizing, and receiving/giving assistance during an exam is
not permitted and your grade will be greatly affected.  You must take time to assess your
abilities without relying on assistance to complete your assignments. 

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY: Your attendance and participation in this

class are vital to your learning and to your success in the course. Consequently, regular
weekly participation is expected.

Policy for Attendance and Tardiness/Early Departure - If you are sick!


o
 Information for Attendance Policies: Students who want to do well in this
course will attend class following the class attendance policy. You will
need an excused absence due to illness. GSU has a process for students
seeking excused absences through the Dean of Students Office. Please
submit documentation to https://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/student-
assistance/professor-absence-notification/. I will then be notified by the
Dean of Students of any excused absences.  Please do not email me
directly.
o  
 Should a student test COVID positive, any accommodations to the class
attendance policy will be informed by evolving guidance from the CDC
on quarantine. In most cases there will be no major change to mode of
course delivery, so students will be responsible for collecting notes for
missed in-person classes and making up any work they miss during
quarantine. Anyone who has a positive COVID test is encouraged to alert
the university so that appropriate contact tracing can be conducted

MAKE-UP POLICY:  Absence from tests and/or the final exam will result in a grade of F
for the course unless arrangements are made PRIOR to the administration of the exam or
unless there are extenuating circumstances (with documentation) that prevent you from
taking the final. There will be NO makeup for the final exam or quizzes and no extension to
deadlines.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  October 11, 2021 is the last day for a regular withdrawal.
Students are permitted to withdraw with a grade of W a maximum of three (3) times in the
associate degree program at Perimeter College. The limit on withdrawals does not apply if a
student withdraws from all classes during a term before the midpoint. However, students are
allowed to withdraw from all classes prior to the midpoint twice without having their
withdrawals count against them. Students who withdraw from a class after the limit has been
reached will automatically receive a grade of F in their classes.

Several things to remember about withdrawals.


o Although a W does not affect your institutional grade point average, a W
negatively impacts your HOPE grade point average as well as your financial aid
eligibility. For additional information on this, consult the Financial Aid Office.
o If you withdraw after the midpoint, you will receive a grade of F which is
averaged in your GPA.
o Withdrawals count against your completion rate for making Satisfactory
Academic Progress (SAP) which is required to keep financial aid.
Withdrawals are initiated through PAWS.

INCOMPLETE POLICY: Assignment of an incomplete grade (I) by an instructor follows

the university policy on an incomplete. In particular, an incomplete grade can be assigned at
the discretion of the instructor and not the student using the following criteria. 

o The student must have completed most of the major assignments of the course
(generally all but one).
o The student must be earning a passing grade in the course in the judgment of the
instructor.
o A schedule for completion of assignments must be approved prior to the
assignment of the incomplete. 

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION FORM:  Students who wish to request accommodation

for a disability may do so by registering with the Access and Accommodations Center.
Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Access and Accommodations
Center of a signed Faculty Accommodation Notification and are responsible for providing a
copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which accommodations are sought. The
Access and Accommodations Center for Online Students can be contacted at 678-891-3385.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY (CHEATING/PLAGIARISM): The complete

Academic Honesty Policy can be found in the Academic Conduct Policies and Procedures
Section of the Student Handbook. See https://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/ for the policy.
All work submitted for credit must be your own. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you
plagiarize or make an attempt of cheating, you will receive a score of zero for the exam or a
grade of F for the course depending on the severity of the infraction, and appropriate actions
will be taken according to the University policy on plagiarism. Using a cell phone or any
mobile devices during an exam or having other windows open during an electronic exam
count as cheating and will not be tolerated.

The Department of Computer Science at Perimeter College of Georgia State University has
the right to regard finding unauthorized material in your possession/use or calculator
memory or cell phone and having other windows open during any test or the final exam as
cheating. If you cheat or make an attempt to do so, you may be allowed to complete the test
but as a consequence, a score of zero will be assigned on the test which will not be replaced
by the Final Exam score. You may receive an F for the course depending on the severity of
the infraction, and appropriate action will be taken according to the University policy on
academic honesty.

CAMPUS CARRY STATEMENT:  The Campus Carry legislation allows anyone properly
licensed in the state of Georgia to carry a handgun in a concealed manner on university
property with noted exceptions. It is the responsibility of the license holder to know the law.
Failure to do so may result in a misdemeanor charge and may violate the Georgia State
Student Code of Conduct.”

SHARING OF INSTRUCTOR-GENERATED MATERIALS:  The selling, sharing,

publishing, presenting, or distributing of instructor-prepared course lecture notes, videos,
audio recordings, or any other instructor-produced materials from any course for any
commercial purpose is strictly prohibited unless explicit written permission is granted in
advance by the course instructor. This includes posting any materials on websites such as
Chegg, Course Hero, OneClass, Stuvia, StuDocu and other similar sites. Unauthorized
sale or commercial distribution of such material is a violation of the instructor’s intellectual
property and the privacy rights of students attending the class and is prohibited.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATEMENT:  In instances of sexual misconduct, the present

instructor(s) are designated as Responsible Employees who are required to share with
administrative officials all reports of sexual misconduct for university review. If you wish to
disclose an incident of sexual misconduct confidentially, there are options on campus for
you do so. For more information on this policy, please refer to the Sexual Misconduct Policy
which is included in the Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct
(http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/).

DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY, and RESPECT STATEMENT:  It is my intent that

students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that
students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that
students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to
present materials and activities that are respectful of all diversity including gender, sexuality,
disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your comments (in the
discussion posts and in person) related to the class and content will be encouraged and
appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you
personally or for other students or student groups. 

UNIVERSITY CLOSING: If the college is closed due to weather or for any other reason,
please refer to iCollege for appropriate information/announcements.

Part 6: Course Content

1. Python for Everyone, 3E by Horstmann and Necaise:

1. Introduction to Python
2. Programming with Numbers & Strings
3. Decisions
4. Loops
5. Functions
6. Lists
7. Files and Exceptions
8. Sets & Dictionaries
9. Objects & Classes (Optional)
10. Inheritance (Introduction) (Optional)
2. Python for Data Analysis (Web Resources):
1. Python Language Basics, IPython, and Jupyter Notebooks
2. NumPy Basics: Arrays and Vectorized Computation
3. Getting Started with pandas
4. Matplotlib: Plotting and Visualization

The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be
necessary.