COMP 1900 CS 1: Introduction to Programming – Spring 2023

Kriangsiri (“Top”) Malasri

Instructor Contact Information:

• kmalasri@memphis.edu - I will almost always respond within 24 hours

• I’m on the unofficial CS Discord server as Slothington IV. Discord invite link: https://discord.gg/7brNMvuz76
• Office:
Dunn Hall 396
901.678.5689

Office Hours
No formal hours, but feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment! I also encourage you to ask questions in the
#comp-1900 channel on Discord, as that can be beneficial for other students. However, do not post full programs there! Post
only the parts that are giving you trouble.

Lecture Meeting Times/Locations:

Section Meeting Times Location Instructor Grader(s)
001 MW 1240-1405 DH 118 Malasri Amer Awad, Miguel Perez
002 TR 1120-1245 PSY 204 Yu Donte Mitchell
003 TR 0940-1105 DH 233 Malasri Dismas Ficklen, Sarawut Manthongkham, Maria Solis

Lab Meeting Times/Locations:

Section Meeting Times Location Instructor* Lab TA
101 R 1820-2020 DH 232 Malasri Likhitha Javvaji, ljavvaji@memphis.edu
102 F 1445-1645 DH 232 Malasri Abisha Thapa Magar, thpmagar@memphis.edu
103 R 1610-1810 DH 232 Malasri Israt Jahan, ijahan1@memphis.edu
104 F 1230-1430 DH 232 Malasri Srividya Polneni, spolneni@memphis.edu
105 F 1020-1220 DH 232 Malasri Vishnu Nutalapati, vntlpati@memphis.edu
106 R 1400-1600 DH 232 Yu Lokesh Das, ldas@memphis.edu
* This is just the instructor of record. The lab sections will be supervised by TAs.

Catalog Description:
COMP 1900 – CS 1: Introduction to Programming (4) Overview of computer science as a field; problem-solving strategies with
emphasis in fundamental programming skills, primitive data types, control structures, arrays, strings, I/O, basic recursion,
documentation, testing and debugging techniques; introduction to object-oriented concepts. Three lecture hours, two laboratory hours
per week. PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: MATH 1910 or MATH 1421 (or MATH 1830 for COMP minors)

Note on Prerequisites:
Although COMP 1900 does not assume you have any prior programming experience, it moves quite briskly. If programming is brand
new for you, you’ll likely find it more difficult to keep up. We recommend COMP 1800 (Problem Solving with Computers) as a warm-
up course for COMP 1900 if you are just starting out with programming.

Course Outcomes:
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Read and write code involving variables and assignments.
2. Read and write code involving conditionals.
3. Read and write code involving loops.
4. Read and write code to manipulate strings, lists, and dictionaries.
5. Read and write code to manipulate one- and two-dimensional lists.
6. Write programs to define functions and make function calls with various input and output types.
7. Be able to decompose code into sections using functions.
8. Be able to define simple classes.
9. Be able to create objects and invoke method calls.

Course Website:
Course materials and grades will be posted to the Canvas system at https://memphis.instructure.com/
Required Text:
Online text through zyBooks. A subscription costs $77 and will last until June 2, 2023. Please sign up at https://learn.zybooks.com and
use the registration code MEMPHISCOMP1900Spring2023. Some notes:

• You must register using your memphis.edu email address.

• If you’re retaking the course or have otherwise subscribed to the zyBook previously, you may be eligible for a free or reduced-
cost subscription. Please email support@zybooks.com to take advantage of this.

Additional Free Online Resources:

• Official Python tutorial: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/

• Educative: https://www.educative.io/courses/learn-python-3-from-scratch
• W3Schools: https://www.w3schools.com/python/
• CodingBat (interactive code practice): https://codingbat.com/python

Evaluation:

Lecture Attendance and Classwork 100 pts

zyBook Assignments 100 pts
Lab Assignments 255 pts
Quizzes 240 pts (3 @ 80 pts each)
Final Exam (Comprehensive) 355 pts

Your final grade is determined by (your total points on all graded items) / 1000. Note that because there are 1050 maximum possible
points, this gives you 50 points of built-in buffer in case your second cousin’s ex-wife’s brother-in-law has an event that forces you to
miss an assignment, or a temporary zombie apocalypse happens to just your neighborhood, or whatever. This also means I’ll be strict
about enforcing assignment deadlines. Please don’t beg for late credit.

Note that you receive a single combined grade for COMP 1900; there’s no separate grade for the lab section unlike some science courses.

Grading Scale: Letter grades will be determined from your total points as follows:
A+: 960+; A: 900-959; A-: 890-899
B+: 870-889; B: 800-869; B-: 790-799
C+: 770-789; C: 700-769; C-: 690-699
D+: 670-689; D: 600-669
F: Below 600

Assignments:
This is a programming course, and the only way to get better at programming is to do a lot of it. There will be many assignments
throughout the semester to give you hands-on practice. Altogether, assignments make up almost half your grade for this course. You
cannot pass unless you do them!

The assignments fall into different categories:

1. Classwork consists of simple problems to immediately reinforce what was covered during lecture. Attendance is also indirectly
taken through classwork submissions. We will do at least one classwork assignment almost every lecture.
2. zyBook assignments are reading activities selected from the required textbook. These are done on your own, to further
reinforce what was covered during lecture. There will be a zyBook assignment given most weeks (posted on Canvas). You
should complete all Participation and Challenge activities from the assigned sections.
3. Lab assignments allow you to explore a topic more deeply and are more involved than the classwork and zyBook assignments.
More About the Labs:

• The lab will be supervised by a TA (contact info to be posted on Canvas soon).

• The purpose of the lab meetings is to let you get one-on-one help from the TA on your lab assignments if needed. If you're
comfortable doing the lab assignments on your own, attendance at the lab meetings is optional.
• You get a single combined grade for the COMP 1900 lecture and lab. Lab assignments give you much-needed practice with
programming and make up a substantial portion of your final grade, so be sure to turn them in!
• To get a grade on each lab assignment, you must turn in your code files AND attend a code review with your lab TA. Your
lab TA will let you know how they’d like to schedule code reviews. Turning in code alone without attending the code review
– or doing the code review alone without turning in code – will result in a 0 for that lab assignment.
• There is NO LAB MEETING during the first week of class (Jan. 17-20).

Time Expectations:
Programming definitely has a learning curve, and many people find this to be a demanding class. Most students should expect to spend
2-3 hours per week outside of class per hour of credit. Since this is a 4-hour class, that translates to 8-12 hours per week of work outside
of class. If you are unable or unwilling to devote this time, I strongly recommend that you postpone taking the course until you can.
There is no substitute for hands-on experience to improve your programming skills!

Attendance:
It is crucial that you attend class (both lecture and lab) regularly, especially if this is your first experience with computer programming.
The class will keep building on itself and moves at a brisk pace, so you need to get a good handle on each concept soon after we discuss
it. As mentioned above, I will indirectly take attendance via classwork submissions.

Late/Makeup Policy:
All assignments are expected to be completed and turned in on schedule. Due dates will be clearly indicated for each assignment. Late
assignments are NOT accepted except in extreme circumstances. Likewise, makeup quizzes and exams will be given only under extreme
circumstances. If you feel that your circumstances warrant a late work submission or a makeup quiz/exam, get in touch with me as soon
as possible. Be prepared to show some kind of documented proof of your situation.

Plagiarism/Cheating Policy:
By the end of this course, you are expected to be a competent programmer. This is important for success in future courses, and more
importantly so that you can get a job later! To improve your programming skills, you must get plenty of practice yourself. As such, all
grade items (unless specifically indicated otherwise) must be individual efforts. Although you are welcome to work in study groups,
NEVER submit any code that you did not write yourself.

Examples of ACCEPTABLE behavior:

• Discussing the general solution approach to an assignment with other students, then writing the code to solve the problem
individually
• Using Internet resources to help with an assignment, then writing your own code that incorporates what you’ve learned

Examples of UNACCEPTABLE behavior:

• Submitting the same code as another student. Making trivial changes like changing variable names and/or order of functions
does not hide this.
• Copying and pasting code that you found from the Internet (including AI tools like ChatGPT)
• Copying someone else’s code during a quiz or exam

I have a zero-tolerance policy against cheating. Plagiarized code is very obvious. If I catch you submitting code that you did not write
yourself, the first offense will result in a 0 for that grade item. Further offenses will possibly result in a failing grade in the entire course,
and/or referral to the Office of Student Accountability for further disciplinary action. Please don’t put me (or yourself) in this situation.

Getting Help:
Although I expect your work for this class to be done individually, I encourage you to seek help if you get stuck:

• Contact me! I’m very willing to provide hints without giving away the solution. I can be reached via email and/or Discord.
• Contact your lab TA. They are there to help you during lab sessions.
• Online tutoring: The UofM offers free online tutoring through the Educational Support Program (ESP):
https://www.memphis.edu/esp/onlinetutoring.php
Miscellaneous Policies:
Email - Please check your University of Memphis email account at least once a day, as that is my primary means of communicating
with you outside of class.

Student Disabilities - If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodations, or if you have any questions related to any
accommodation for testing, note taking, reading, etc., please contact me as soon as possible. You must contact the Disability Resources
for Students office (901.678.2880, drs@memphis.edu, https://www.memphis.edu/drs/) to officially request such accommodations /
services.
Tentative Course Schedule (1900-003, TR)

Date Lecture Material Text Quizzes Labs

1/17 Intro to computers and CS, number systems, first Python
Ch. 1
1/19 programs
1/24 Lab 1: Number systems,
Variables and expressions Ch. 2
1/26 basic programs
1/31 Lab 2: Variables and
Types Ch. 3
2/02 expressions
2/07 Quiz 1 (2/07)
Conditionals Ch. 4
2/09
2/14
Conditionals Ch. 4 Lab 3: Conditionals
2/16
2/21
Loops Ch. 5
2/23
2/28
Loops Ch. 5 Lab 4: Loops
3/02
3/07
NO CLASS – Spring Break
3/09
3/14 Quiz 2 (3/14)
Loops Ch. 5 Lab 5: More loops
3/16
3/21
Functions Ch. 6 Lab 6: Functions
3/23
3/28
Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8 Lab 7: Strings
3/30
4/04 Lab 8: Lists and
Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
4/06 dictionaries
4/11 Quiz 3 (4/11)
Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
4/13
4/18 Intro to object-oriented programming concepts Ch. 9
Lab 9: OOP
4/20 Recursion Ch. 14
4/25 Review for final
4/27 NO CLASS – Study Day

FINAL EXAM (same classroom as lecture):

Tuesday, May 2, 1030-1230

See the full final exam schedule here: https://www.memphis.edu/registrar/calendars/exams/23s-final-exams.php

Tentative Quiz and Exam Topics:

• Quiz 1: Number systems, variables and expressions, types

• Quiz 2: Conditionals, loops
• Quiz 3: Functions, strings, lists
• Final Exam: Everything!
Tentative Course Schedule (1900-001, MW)

Date Lecture Material Text Quizzes Labs

1/16 NO CLASS – MLK Day
1/18 Intro to computers and CS, number systems Ch. 1
1/23 Number systems continued, first Python programs Ch. 1 Lab 1: Number systems,
1/25 Variables and expressions Ch. 2 basic programs
1/30 Variables and expressions Ch. 2 Lab 2: Variables and
2/01 Types Ch. 3 expressions
2/06 Types Ch. 3
2/08 Conditionals Ch. 4 Quiz 1 (2/08)
2/13
Conditionals Ch. 4 Lab 3: Conditionals
2/15
2/20 Conditionals Ch. 4
2/22 Loops Ch. 5
2/27
Loops Ch. 5 Lab 4: Loops
3/01
3/06
NO CLASS – Spring Break
3/08
3/13
Loops Ch. 5 Lab 5: More loops
3/15 Quiz 2 (3/15)
3/20 Loops Ch. 5
Lab 6: Functions
3/22 Functions Ch. 6
3/27 Functions Ch. 6
Lab 7: Strings
3/29 Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
4/03 Lab 8: Lists and
Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
4/05 dictionaries
4/10
Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
4/12 Quiz 3 (4/12)
4/17 Strings, lists, and dictionaries Ch. 7-8
Lab 9: OOP
4/19 Intro to object-oriented programming concepts Ch. 9
4/24 Recursion Ch. 14
4/26 Review for final

FINAL EXAM (same classroom as lecture):

Wednesday, May 3, 1000-1200

See the full final exam schedule here: https://www.memphis.edu/registrar/calendars/exams/23s-final-exams.php

Tentative Quiz and Exam Topics:

• Quiz 1: Number systems, variables and expressions, types

• Quiz 2: Conditionals, loops
• Quiz 3: Functions, strings, lists
• Final Exam: Everything!