ITP 120  Java Programming I (4 credits)

DL (Virginia Tech or instructor permission students only)

Virginia Western Community College

Summer 2013

 

Course Description: Entails instruction in fundamentals of object-oriented programming using Java. Emphasis is on program construction, algorithm development, coding, debugging, and documentation of console and graphical user interface applications.

 

NOTE: Virginia Western policies, the course outline, and course syllabus are available in Blackboard from the course syllabus button.  Additional student resources are available in Blackboard from the Student Resource button.

 

Instructor: Dr. Diane D. Wolff       

Best contact methods and contact information: Office: M224 (Business Science Building)     Phone: 540-857-6214. NOTE: I am teaching mostly distance learning so the fastest contact method is through email at dwolff@virginiawestern.edu.

Office hours: email or call me.

 

WELCOME!!!!   Use the following instructions for applying to Virginia Western, registering, and paying for your class.
  How to apply to VWCC     https://apply.vccs.edu/app/app.htm  If you have any problems with applying, call the Admissions Office at 540-857-7231. NOTE: Do not declare a major.  Indicate that you are a transient  (non-degree seeking) student.
  How to find your student ID     http://virginiawestern.edu/academics/enroll_for_classes/MyVCCS.html
  How to register and pay for a class.   NOTE: You cannot register yourself for this class.  We keep it on closed enrollment to make certain that degree seeking students from VWCC do not get in.  Once you have your student id, email that to dwolff@virginiawestern.edu and we will help you finish the process.


Summer registration begins April 12th  !

 

Important Dates:

First Day of Classes  May 16th  

Last Day to Register/Add a Class May 22nd  

Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund May 28th  

Last Day to Withdraw Without Grade Penalty  June 29th  

Last Day of Classes  July 30th  

 

Cost:  This course is a four credit class.  Projected costs for courses at VWCC are about $136/credit hour for Virginia residents. Special distance learning out of state rates for non-Virginia residents applies to this class and is about $230/ credit. DO NOT LET THEM CHARGE YOU THE FULL OUT OF STATE RATE which is about $330. Plus the cost of the books (we supply the software).

 

After you register for this class, contact the instructor at the email address above!

 

Required Course Materials:  Java, How to Program,  9th edition, Paul and Harvey Deitel, ISBN-978-0-13-257566-9.  Note: There is also a Kindle edition and I will supply a free version you can read online through Safari Online (this one must be read through the web and is not downloadable).

 

Getting started: email your instructor!!!

 

Our Schedule for ITP120 Va Tech:             

Schedule:                    Due Date - before or on the follow date (noon EST):

Module 1          Friday, May 24th         

            Module 2         Monday, June 3rd      

            Module 3         Thursday, June 13th      

            Module 4         Saturday, June 22nd                 

            Module 5         Monday, July 1st      

            Module 6         Wednesday, July 10th      

            Module 7         Friday, July 19th          

            Module 8         Saturday, July 27th

            Project Due     Monday, July 29th   

           

Collaborate Online Sessions

             I will be prerecording movies for the Power Points for each module.  I will also have prerecorded movies for the content of each module.  As the summer progresses, we will see if we need synchronous movies as well.  I am here to help and will provide whatever sessions will help you the most.  Just let me know!

 

Grading:

            Introductory survey                                                                 10 points

                        (see instructions in portal on how to complete this)            

            Laboratory assignments 8 @ 45 points each                         360 points    à NOTE 5 of these points are for comments –see #10 below

            Quizzes 8 @ 20 points each                                                    160 points

            Project @ 50 points                                                                  50 points

                                                                                                           580 points

 

NOTE: quizzes are open book/open Internet quizzes that can be taken anytime during the module up until the noon due date for the module listed above.  These have a one hour time limit with only one attempt allowed.  It is critical when taking them not to close the browser!   I will post answers after the due date.  

            90%=A   80-89% = B   70-79% = C   60-69% = D 

NOTE:  You must complete each of the modules and the project to pass the course.

 

Required software:

            We will be using a version of Eclipse that you can download from Blackboard. You can also go to http://virginiawestern.edu/faculty/vwwolfd/VT120/eclipse7.zip to get the download.

Instructions for unzipping and use can be found at  http://virginiawestern.edu/faculty/vwwolfd/VT120/eclipse7instructions.doc

 

Incompletes: A student will receive an Incomplete only under mitigating circumstances. An Incomplete will give the student additional time beyond the end of the semester to complete the course requirements. The student and instructor will decide on an appropriate deadline. Any outstanding work not completed by this agreed upon deadline will result in the Incomplete being changed to an F. An Incomplete will only be given if the student has mitigating circumstances and cannot complete the last few assignments or the final exam on time. Please contact me immediately if you have problems.

 

Reasonable Response Time: I read email just about 24/7 and generally respond within 24 hours if it is not within two days of the due date. This includes most weekends.   As due dates get closer, my email load increases dramatically so response may be slower (you can prevent this being a problem for you by starting early).  I am not in my college campus much so phone call response will be much slower.  Discussion forums will usually be answered within 24 hours.  I will be grading right after you submit and grades will usually be posted within 48 hours of the due date.  See more details below.

 

Course Specific Academic honesty policy:  You are here to learn a very critical IT topic.  Know that I am here to help.  I expect all submissions to be your own work.  Any assignment/test/quiz where this is not the case will result in a zero.  See Virginia Western policies for more details.

 

Inclement Weather Policy: Watch Blackboard for announcements about rescheduling events due to inclement weather.  I will post this at least six hours before face-to-face classes or 24 hours for distance learning tests.  I live on a mountain so may not get to campus if the weather is questionable but classes have not been cancelled. 

 

Course Specific Requirements and Policies:

  1. If you need to drop the class (hopefully no one will have to do so!) you must do it yourself online (I can help you find the link).  The last day to drop this class without an F grade for summer is June 29th .
  2. The above schedule lists the due dates for each module.  You may progress faster than the schedule but not slower without instructor permission.  This is for your good and mine since I must have all grades in right after the semester is over and I will be reviewing the answers in the Adobe Connect sessions. Any submissions after the due date without instructor permission will be docked 30% if turned in within 24 hours of the due date/time. With previous instructor permission, only 20% off. For EXTREME circumstances, contact me.  No late quizzes will be allowed.  
  3. Do NOT just download everything from the portal on day 1!! As the faster people work through the material and may have questions, I may add more examples, etc.  I certainly will not make any changes to submission requirements after the start date above and will not significantly change requirements ever (only maybe clarify them).   I will post an announcement with a heads up that the instructions or jar file has changed.   
  4. There will be Collaborate online session for every module.  There will be good information during these --- and it is highly suggested that you listen to the recording of them. 
  5. Keep up with the discussion forums since you are responsible for clarifications posted there (hopefully---there will not be too many of them…)
  6. I will be grading all submissions right after the due date of that module, even if you submit early. It is critical that you make your final submission through Blackboard only!
  7. As you are working through the material and have questions, you need to do one of two things.  If the question is about a general concept or topics where you would like to see more examples, submit this through the discussion forum in Blackboard.  Do not post large chunks of your code there.  If you want me to look at your specific problems (that is what I am here for!) jar up your file (include ONLY those files needed to make the program where your questions are run!!!) and send it through email to the address above.  Make certain to explain the problem in the text of the email.  I will response VERY quickly to both of these types of postings.
  8. For anyone located close to VWCC, we have tutoring and office hours here on campus that you can utilize.  Contact me for more information.
  9. Start early on each module if you can.  I am very receptive to helping all I can, especially early in the module sequence.   However- on the few days before the due date, I may not be able to answer as quickly due to high traffic.
  10. PLEASE CHECK THE PORTAL RIGHT AFTER THE DUE DATE FOR YOUR GRADE!!!    Open up the assignment and you will see my comments. If you have omitted something or misunderstood an instruction, I may put comments here and let you make changes with no penalty for the first module and a five point penalty after that.  I will not be looking at your submissions until the due date, no matter how early you submit.  You cannot resubmit and correct normal errors. I am only allowing resubmissions if you (for instance) include the .class files instead of the .javas, etc.   You will have the 24 hours to get it back in with changes.  If you do not see my comments within this time, you will not be allowed to resubmit.
  11.  I also want to improve this course for future semester offerings.  We are changing the book and all assignments this semester so you can help me with improving the class.  I am asking that for 5 points each, you use the textbox on the laboratory submission to give me comments about the module.    Please include positive comments as well as constructive suggested changes for each module.  Noted typos or suggested rewording would be appreciated.  And please include an approximate number of hours spent totally (reading, writing, coding) for the module as a whole so I can judge the assignment requirements.  I appreciate your help in this matter. 

 

Further information for you:

             This course has been specifically geared towards VTMIT students.  This course was developed in conjunction with the VT professors to give you the specific prerequisite knowledge that they will assume.   I am dedicated to being available to you as needed, and to make this course a very positive learning experience for you.

            If you have comments about what I can do to better serve you, please let me know.

Let’s have a great semester!!!!!  

 

Suggestion for progressing through each module.

  1. Download the appropriate jar file from the lab assignment. It will always be named itp120modx_1213.jar where x is the module number.  Import the jar file into Eclipse.
  2. Go to the syllabus and see what chapters the module covers.  Skim/read those chapters and watch the power point movies.  Do not spend a lot of reading. But as you skim, look at the examples from the text (they will always be found in the jar file downloaded above in packages named after the associated chapters).
  3. Get the lab instructions from the assignment in Blackboard. It will always be named ITP120modx_1213.doc where x is the module number. Work on these.  Refer back to your text as needed.
  4. See if there are auxiliary readings and if so, download them and look them over.
  5. Finish the lab and return the assignment back to me with the completed jar file.
  6. Remember to include your comments about the assignment in the textbox.

 

Jar file instructions

  1.  Assignments will be turned in as jar files (similar to zip files).  The instructions will indicate how to create these.
  2. Jar files must have the .java files in it (after you jar the file, open it up in an unzipping software and verify this).
  3. Jar files must have only the programs that make the programs that are listed at the bottom of the lab instructions run (delete any that were just my examples).  In some cases you will delete entire extra packages that have just my examples in them.
  4. Make certain there are no stray import statements (to test this, create a new project and re-import your jar file and see if it runs).
  5.  Jar files must have the name of both the package and the actual jar file changed.  For example, if your name is Mike Miller, you will need to change the package name to mmilermod3 and send it to me as mmilermod3.jar.

 

Module 1: Introduction to Java, Classes, and Objects
            Learning objectives:

1.      Understand how to declare a Java class and a the main method

2.      Understand input and output to Java programs

3.      Be able to run Java programs in Eclipse

4.      Be able to import and save Java applications as .jar files

5.      Understand Java arithmetic

6.      Be familiar with equality and relational operators

7.      Know the common primitive data types

8.      Understand Java expression and how to write them

 

Reading Assignment:

1.      Textbook – Chapters 1-2 (just skim chapter 1) 

2.      CodeConventions.pdf (included in the assignment files) 

 

Laboratory Assignment:

1.      Laboratory 1

 

 

Module 2: Objects, classes, and decisions

                Learning objectives:

1.      Understand the concept of objects and classes

2.      Be able to declare and use simple Java classes

3.      Understand getters and setters

4.      Understand the difference between primitive and reference data types

5.      Understand program flow

6.      Understand how to program if  and if/else statements

7.      Understand how to use Boolean expressions and how to compare data

8.      Understand the do and the while construct

 

Reading Assignment:

1.      Textbook –Chapters 3 (skip 3.8) and 4 (to section 4.6)

 

            Laboratory Assignment:

1.      Laboratory 2

 

Module 3: More constructs, loops

                Learning objectives:

1.      Be able to use the for construct

2.      Understand what an iterator is and how to use one

3.      Understand the logical operators

4.      More on classes

5.      Begin writing your own Java classes

 

Reading Assignment:

2.      Textbook –Chapter 4 (4.7-4.13) and Chapter 5  (skip 5.10)

 

            Laboratory Assignment:

2.      Laboratory 3

 

 

Module 4:   More Classes and Object Oriented Design.  Lots of methods

            Learning objectives:

1.      Methods, methods and more methods!!!

2.      Be able to design more complete Java class

3.      Understand what constructors are and how to use them

4.      Understand the relationship between Java objects

5.      Understand method overloading

6.      Understand constructor overloading

7.      Be able to describe the different access modifiers

8.      Understand has-a and is-a

9.      Understand the concept of static

10.  Understand how to read APIs

11.  Understand how to use APIs

12.  Be able to use methods in the String, StringBuilder, and Character classes

 

Reading Assignments:

1.      Textbook – Chapters 6 and 8 (skip 6.13, 8.16), Also 16.1-16.5

 

Laboratory Assignment

1.      Laboratory 4

 

Module 5: Arrays, ArrayLists, and other Collections                       

            Learning objectives:

1.      Understand how to use arrays in Java

2.      Understand how to declare and create arrays in Java

3.      Understand the enhanced for  statement

4.      Be able to pass arrays into methods

5.      Understand the Arrays class

6.      Understand alternatives (ArrayLists, etc)

7.      Become familiar with the Java Collections API

 

            Reading Assignment:

1.      Textbook – Chapter 7  (skip 7.9-7.10, 7.15)

 

Laboratory Assignment

1.      Laboratory 5  

 

Module 6:  Advanced Inheritance Topics and Interfaces

            Learning Objectives:

1.      Understand class hierarchies and the ramifications

2.      Understand the relationships between super classes and subclasses

3.      Understand method overriding

4.      Be able to design for inheritance

5.      Understand the Object  class

6.      Be able the discuss polymorphic behavior

7.      Understand how to use abstract  classes

8.      Understand the concept of interfaces and their use

9.      Be familiar with common searching and sorting algorithms

10.  Understand designing for interfaces

 

Reading Assignment

1.      Chapters 9 and 10  (skip 9.8, 10.8)

 

Laboratory Assignment

1.      Laboratory 6

 

Module 7:  I/O, Exceptions, and JavaDocs

Learning Objectives:

1.      Understand Java Exceptions Hierarchy

2.      Understand how to use a try/catch/finally structure

3.      Understand how to read and write text files

4.      Understand how to read and write object oriented serialized files

5.      Understand how to use the Java File  and JFileChooser classes

6.      Understand exception handling

7.      Understand how to create JavaDocs

 

Reading Assignment

1.       Chapter 11 and 17

2.       Appendix M

 

Laboratory Assignment

1.      Laboratory 7

 

Module 8:   Generic Collections

            Learning Objectives:

1.      Collections Overview

2.      Wrapper classes

3.      Auto-boxing and Auto-unboxing

4.      Interface Collection and Class Collections

5.      Lists

6.      Collections Methods

7.      Sets

8.      Maps

9.      Properties Class

10.  Synchronized and Unmodifiable Collections

11.  Abstract Implementations

 

Reading Assignment

1.      Textbook –Chapter 20

 

Laboratory Assignment

1.      Laboratory 8