Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Noah Aydin, Hayes 319, 740-427-5674
- Section 1: Tuesday, Thursday 9:40-11:00am
- Student/Office hours (in-peron or virtual): Mon: 10:10am-12pm; Wed: 10:10am-12pm, Fri: 10:10-11 am and by appointment. Zoom Link See Prof Aydin’s weekly schedule to make an appt outside regular Student Hours.
James Skon, Hayes 310, 740-427-5369
- Section 2: Tuesday, Thursday 2:40-4:00,
- Office hours: (Virtual only) MW 1-3, TH 1-2, Meet link,
and other hours by appointment (send email request)
Google Meet Link (class presentations)
https://meet.google.com/mdr-gxns-svk
Tutoring (MSSC)
Visit MSSC website. Schedule and zoom information link.
| Sunday | Tuesday | Thursday | |
| 7:00 | Alana | Dev | |
| 7:30 | Alana | Dev | |
| 8:00 | Alana | Dev | |
| 8:30 | Alana | Dev | |
| 9:00 | Dev | Alana | |
| 9:30 | Dev | Alana |
Alternate python programming environment: https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/online-compiler/
With Turtle Graphics: https://trinket.io/turtle
Course Overview
This course presents an introduction to computer programming intended both for those who plan to take further courses in which a strong background in computation is desirable and for those who are interested in learning basic programming principles. The course will expose the student to a variety of applications where an algorithmic approach is natural and will include both numerical and non-numerical computation. The principles of program structure and style will be emphasized. The course teaches both Python and C++ programming. Offered every semester.
- An introduction to computer science and computing systems
- An introduction to algorithm development and problem solvingDemosDemos
- An introduction to programming with PythonDemos
- An introduction to C++
- Two daily classes Tuesday and Thursday.
- POGIL group activities during many classes
- Regular individual lab assignments
- Computer history essays weekly
Course Objectives
- Learn basic principles and structures of computer programming.
- Provide an understanding of the role computation can play in solving problems in various disciplines.
- Become proficient in the Python and C++ programming languages.
- Help students feel confident of their ability to write small programs that allow them to accomplish useful goals.
- Position students so that they can compete for research projects and excel in subjects with programming components.
Texts
- How To Think Like A Computer Scientist: Interactive edition (Scmp118F21Skon or Scmp118F21Aydin) (Python): link(Free online text). You need to register for a free account, and join the class.
- C++ for Python Programmers (Kenyon) (C++). link
- Think Python 3 (TP) – free download: link (Free PDF)
Texts 1 & 2 must be access online through a registered account on https://runestone.academy/. Create an account using your name and kenyon email address, and then register for BOTH texts. This will require signing up with one, then adding the second.
You can add the C++ for Python Programmers (Scmp118F21SkonCPP or Scmp118F21AydinCPP) book to your account by logging in to https://runestone.academy/runestone/default/courses, and then clicking on the “Enroll in a course” button on the bottom. Put in “SCMP118F21SkonCPP or Scmp118F21AydinCPP” (depending on section) for the course name, and hit “Apply changes”. We will do this in the last few weeks of the semester.
Methodology
This course uses a variety of learning strategies in order to both enrich and enhance learning for every student of every background, as well as to keep the course interesting. Methods include:
- Group (collaborative) activities:
- POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning). Discussed below, this is a team oriented, discovery based approach to learning with small groups of students. Teams report back to the whole classroom and share their discoveries.
- In class small group programming. This is to allow learners to explore and solve a problem as a small group, such that each student engages with the material and each other, experimenting, teaching, and learning together.
- Individual activities:
- Laboratory assignments. These programming assignments give each learner the opportunity to develop skill, experience, and confidence as programmers as individuals.
- Programming problem solving. These small guided exercises, based on the repl.it online programming platform, provide small problems for the learners to gain experience programming with, and are automatically checked by the environment to give immediate feedback to the learner.
- Homework Assignments. These activities, based on readings, give each student familiarity with important course concepts outside of class.
- History essays – these small writing assignments, about one a week, give each learner the change to explore computer science in its larger historical context. These are shared in class on they day they are due.
- Instructional Presentation and discussion. Occasionally the instructor will give a presentation related to the course topics. These will normally include discussion, and sometime be interleaved with in-class hands on programming activities.
- Pair Programming: This course may at times use a methodology called pair programming to enhance learning. This collaborative process is structured to improve learning as well as outcomes.
Group generator: https://www.randomlists.com/team-generator
Course Attendance
Given the methods of instruction, especially the group work and the hands on work, attendance in class meetings with full engagement is essential. Students are expected to attend all classes unless they have a legitimate excuse such as illness, participation in official collegiate athletic activities. In the case of any absence students are expected to contact the instructor prior to the absence. In the case of such excused absences the student will normally be required to complete course activities they missed in class. According to the Math Department’s attendance policy any student who missed six class meetings will be expelled from the course. Missing class will result in no credit that days in class activities.
Python 3 and C++
In this course we will be learning the Python 3 and C++ programming languages. We will be using an online programming environment repl.it. This allows you to program anywhere with any device (including smartphones and tablets!), while maintaining access to all your current and previous work.
You can also install Anaconda Python and an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) call Spyder by following these instructions: PythonInstall. Contact the instructor if you are interested in installing C++ programming environment.
POGIL
Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) is a pedagogy that is based on research on how people learn and has been shown to lead to better student outcomes in many contexts and in a variety of academic disciplines. Beyond facilitating students’ mastery of a discipline, it promotes vital educational outcomes such as communication skills and critical thinking. Its active international community of practitioners provides accessible educational development and support for anyone developing related courses.
We will be learning about POGIL early in the course, and then use this method on a daily basis.
Each activity is a link to a Google Doc. You must be logged into your Kenyon account to access. One member of the team will open the link, and make a copy in the same directory with your team name (color). The team will then work together to document the process on that document.
Useful POGIL links
POGIL ROLES:
- Spokesperson/Facilitator
- Process Analyst
- Quality Control
Teams will normally have 3 people. On teams of less than three students some will have 2 roles
POGIL Process Analyst Report – The Process Analyst is encouraged to fill this out to give feedback to the instructor.
POGIL Feedback – complete this after every activity
Online resources
This course uses several online tools for learning and assessing student progress. All of these resources are free of cost but some require the creation of a login account. It is essential that everyone participaite in the associated activities as all are part of the learning process, and some are graded activities.
- How To Think Like A Computer Scientist: Interactive edition (Scmp118F21Aydin or Scmp118F21Skon) This is an interactive book. You must register, and complete the exercises in the assigned readings. Follow this link and register using your Kenyon email. Use “Scmp118F21Aydin or Scmp118F21Skon” (depending on sections) as the course name. You will be assigned problems in this book. You should complete all the work in assigned sections.
- C++ for Python Programmers (Scmp118F21AydinCPP or Scmp118F21SkonCPP) This is an interactive book. (PDF version) You must register, and complete the exercises in the assigned readings. Follow this link and register using your Kenyon email. Use Scmp118F21AydinCPP or Scmp118F21SkonCPP as the course name, depending on your section. You will be assigned problems in this book. You should complete all the work in assigned sections.
- Repl.it – This is an environment for learning Python and C++ that is based on repl.it. Regular Python and C++ exercises will be assigned as graded homework from this environment. You will receive as email invitation to join the class. You must sign up for the course, using your Kenyon Email address. For your assignments here you need to merely complete the problems and submit them by the due date.
Note on notifications: Every time I assign a problem you will get a notification from repl.it. (And there will be over 100) I can’t stop the notifications, but you can. Just log into repl.it. Then click on your username in the upper right, and select account. If you scroll down to the bottom, you can open up the “Email Settings” section, and un-select the checkbox for “Receive email notifications”.
Assignments
Due Date: All assignments are due as specified in the grading table below.
Missing Lab Assignments: Labs are an important part of this class; the effort spent on them is a crucial part of the learning process. Failure to submit labs is unacceptable: students earning 0s on two labs cannot receive a grade higher than a B- for the course; students earning three 0s on labs will receive an automatic F for the course.
Collaboration and Academic Honesty: In order to facilitate learning, students are encouraged to discuss assignments amongst themselves. Copying a solution is not, however, the same as “discussing.” A good rule of thumb is the “cup of coffee” rule. After discussing a problem, you should not take away any written record or notes of the discussion. Go have a cup of coffee or cocoa, and read the front page of the newspaper. If you can still re-create the problem solution afterward from memory, then you have learned something, and are not simply copying. (The assignments that are designated as “group work” are exempt from this, as they are intended to be done together.)
Academic Honesty and using code you did not write: Turning in code you did not write is cheating.
- You should never receive code from other students, use code from the internet, or use instructor solutions from past semesters. Any code you submit must be written entirely by you. (See the “cup of coffee” rule under collaboration.)
- Likewise, “facilitating academic dishonesty” is a violation of academic honesty. Thus sharing your code with other students is also forbidden.
- The instructor has tools for checking the similarity of code, and will use them periodically to see if students’ code is too similar to be explained by coincidence.
- If you suspect someone has used your code, you should report it.
Academic Honesty and use of Repl.it: By default all programs you create on repl.it are public. That means anyone who can guess your username can then look at your code. This is cheating, and is not allowed for any non-colaborative assignments. You should ALWAYS set your programs to “Private” so that no one else can see them. If you leave your code public, and someone finds it and uses it, it will be flagged as a possible infraction, and you may find yourself in the difficult situation of having to explain what happened to the AIB. So please keep your work private!
Computer History Assignments: Once a week you will turn in a brief essay on some computer history fact from the Computer History Museum ( Timeline) (or other computer history source). One or two people people will be chosen each week to oraly describe what they found in 2 minutes at the beginning of class. I will ask for volunteers, but will cycle through everyone before I repeat anyone. The idea is give to us all an opportunity to explore the history of computer science, and to find something that interests each of us. Start by going to the computer history timeline, and for each assignment explore the requested years until you find something interesting. Then write up a 200-300 word essay about what you found, what you found compelling, and why you think it is significant. Write the essay in Moodle, and include a link to the item you found so it can be displayed while you share in class. These are due midnight before the day they will be presented (and appear in the calendar below). Late submissions will not be accepted on these assignments.
Grading
| Category | % | Collaboration allowed? | Notes |
| History Essays | 5% | No | Due by class time on day assigned. Not accepted Late |
| POGIL Activities | 10% | Yes | |
| Individual Labs | 35% | No | Due by midnight on day due. 5% penalty for up to 12 hours late. One assignment may be up to 24 hours late with no penalty with instructor notification. |
| Homework Assignments | 5% | No | Due by class on the day due. One assignment may be up to 24 hours late with no penalty with instructor notification. This includes questions in the interactive text ( How to think like a Computer Scientist: Interactive edition) and the assigned exercises in repl.it. ALso includes questions from the other texts. |
| repl.it Problems | 15% | No | These are problems within the repl.it course. These are autograded by the system, and you have as many tried as you need. Due by midnight on day due. |
| Quizzes | 20% | No | A quiz at the beginning of each class. The quiz opens 10 minutes before class, and you are encouraged to finish the quiz prior to class starting. You must finish the quiz in the first 5-10 minutes of the class. You cannot make up quizzes. Each quiz will include questions from the previous class as well as on the content of the reading assignment for that day. |
| Final Exam | 10% | No | Taken in class during the final exam period |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Schedule
Create groups: Morning, Afternoon
| Date | Topics | Reading | Notes/Activities | Slides & Video |
Assignments Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26 | Introduction to Computer Science and course, Introduction to POGIL Text Book. |
Student Information Form POGIL Role Wheel POGIL Roles POGILQualityIndicators POGIL Process Analyst Report POGIL Activity 1 POGIL Feedback Form |
Create Accounts: How to think like a Computer Scientist |
||
| Aug 31 | Programs, languages, simple programming Introduction to algorithms History Assignments First Python Program |
Python Chapter 1 | Quiz 1 POGIL Introduction Python repl.it – link |
Section 1 slides Section 2 slides Create Accounts:Repl.it Recording Sp21
|
Student Information Form |
| Sept 2 | Input and Variables Variables, data types, names, keywords, statements and expressions, operators and operands |
Python Chapter 2.1-2.7 | Quiz 2 POGIL Input and Variables POGIL – Arithmetic Operations and Assignment Statements |
Day Three Slides Section1 Slides |
1930s (Comp History) 1930s(MoodleLink) |
| Sept 7 | Python Work Algorithms Formatting Data |
Python Chapter 2.8-2.11 | Quiz 3 POGIL – Formatting Output Lab 0 –Fun with candy bars |
Section1 Slides Formatting Tutorial F2020Video |
|
| Sept 9 | Decision Making in Python | Python Chapter 3.1-3.6, 7.1-7.3 | Quiz 4 POGIL – Boolean Expressions Debugging |
Section1 Slides |
Python Ch 2.13 Lab 0 – Fun with Candy Bars 1940s (Moodle Link) 1940s(Comp History) HW1 – Repl.it:1.1-1.7 |
| Sept 14 | Selection in Python | Python Chapter 7.4-7.5 | Quiz 5 POGIL – If then else |
Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides Selection Video |
HW2 – Repl.it:2.1-2.7 |
| Sept 16 | Looping in Python | Loops | Quiz 6 POGIL – While Loops |
While Loops |
1950s Moodle Link 1950s(Comp Hist)
|
| Sept 21 | For Loops Nested Selection, Strings |
Python Chapter 7.6-7.7, 9.1-9.9 | Quiz 7 POGIL – FOR Loops POGIL Nested If-else statements More fun: Computing Loan Payoff |
For Loops Nested If Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides F2020Video |
HW 3 – Repl.it:2.8-2.C |
| Sept 23 | Python Turtle Graphics, Strings | Python Chapter 4.1-4.6, 9.10-9.19 |
Turtle Guide |
Lab 1 – Payroll HW4 – Repl.it 3.2-3.9 1960s |
|
| Sept 28 | Built in and Void Functions | Python Chapter 5.1-4, Chapter 6.1-6.5 | Quiz 9 POGIL Built-In Functions POGIL Void Functions |
Functions Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides |
HW5 – Repl.it 5.1-5.7, 3.A-3.O |
| Sept 30 | Functions, local variables, parameters | Python Chapter 6.6-6.10, 7.8 | Quiz 10 POGIL Functions Returning Values |
Variable Scope Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides Video |
HW6 – Repl.it 5.8-5.C Python 4.11 Ex 1,2,5,6,9 1970s |
| Oct 5 | Nested Loops, Strings | Python Chapter 8.1-3
|
Quiz 11 POGIL Nested Loops Start Lab 3 |
Lab 2 – Turtle Drawing Python Ch 7.10 Ex 1,2,3,6,7,8,9 HW7 – Repl.it 4.1-4.A |
|
| Oct 12 | Reading Files | Python Chapter 11.1-11.5 | Quiz 12 POGIL Reading Files Emily Dickinson Experiment |
Section1 Slides |
Python Ch 6.13 Ex 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 1980s |
| Oct 14 | Writing Files (Adjusted class schedule for the morning class) | Python Chapter 11.6.11.7 | Quiz 13 POGIL Writing Files Baby Names |
Writing Files Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides |
Lab 3 – Bouncing Balls Python Ch 5.7: 16, 17, 18. HW8 – Repl.it 6.1-6.A |
| Oct 19 | Lists, Passing lists | Python Chapter 10.1-10.5 | Quiz 14 POGIL – Lists More Emily Dickinson |
Lists List Functions Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides Video |
1990-94 Python Ch 9 Ex 1-12 |
| Oct 21 | Lists and Strings, List Comprehension | Python Chapter 10.6-10.20 | Quiz 15 POGIL – More Lists and Strings Mid-semester reflection and evaluation |
List Comprehension Section1 Slides Section 2 Slides |
Python Ch 11.9 Ex 1-5 HW9 – Repl.it 6.B-6.G |
| Oct 26 | Dictionary | Python Chapter 12.1-12.5 | Quiz 16 POGIL Dictionary Exercises |
Lab 4 Word Game 1995-99 |
|
| Oct 28 | Dictionary | Python Chapter 12.1-12.5 | Dictionaries Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides F2021Video F2020Video |
Python Ch 10 EX 1,2,3 HW10 – Repl.it 7.1-7.D |
|
| Nov 2 | Python Classes | Python Chapter 17.1-17.6 | Quiz 18 | Section1 Slides Section 2 Slides F2021Video F2020Video |
2000s |
| Nov 4 | Python Classes | Python Chapter 17.7-17.9 | Quiz 19 POGIL Classes Model 1 Code Model 2 Code Model 3 Code |
Section1Slides Section2Slides |
Lab 5 Word Analysis Python Ch 10 Ex 4,5,6,7,8,11,12 |
| Nov 9 | Python Classes, OOP, and Inheritance | Sign up for the C++ textbook at runestone | Classes Example Section1 Slides Section2 Slides ClassVideoPart1 ClassVideoPart2 2Dimensional Array Code Class Exercise Code
|
Python Ch 12 Ex 1,2,3,4,5 2010s |
|
| Nov 11 | Introduction to C++, First program | CPP Chapter 1 | Quiz 21 | C++ Intro S2021Video F2020Video Section1 Slides Section2 Slides |
HW12- Repl.it A.1-A.8 HW11- Repl.it 8.1-8.7 CPP Ch 1.6, 1.8 |
| Nov 16 | C++ Data types, control structures | CPP Chapter 2, 3 | Section1 Slides Section2 Slides |
CPP Ch 2.7, 2.8 HW13 – Repl.it CPP 1-7 |
|
| Nov 18 | C++ Strings, Arrays, Vectors | CPP 5.1-5.4 | Quiz 23 C++ POGIL Vectors and Arrays |
Slide |
Lab 6 – Word Classes CPP Ch 3.4,3.7,4.7 Matching HW14 – Repl.it CPP 8-17 |
| Nov 30 | C++ Functions | CPP Chapter 4 | Quiz 24 C++ POGIL Functions |
Section1 Slides Section2 Slides | Lab 7 – Payroll HW15 – Repl.it CPP 18-21 |
| Dec 2 | C++ Files | CPP 6.1-6.6 |
Quiz 25 |
Section1 Slides Section2 Slides |
|
| Dec 7 | C++ Classes | Quiz 26 POGIL C++ Classes . |
Section1 Slides Section2 Slides F2020Video |
HW16 – Repl.it CPP 22-26 | |
| Dec 9 | Quiz 27 POGIL C++ STL Random Numbers in C++ |
Section 1 Slides Section 2 Slides |
HW17 – Repl.it CPP 27-35 LAB 8 – Word Game |
||
| Final Exam Section 1 Dec 17 8:30am Section 2 Dec 14 6:30pm |
Non Discrimination Statement
Kenyon College does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. The requirement of non-discrimination in educational programs and activities extends to employment and admission.
All employees, including faculty, are considered Responsible Employees and must notify the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator with any relevant information.
For further information, please refer to the following Kenyon College policies:
Sexual Misconduct & Harassment: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII:
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/title-ix-vawa/kenyon-policies/title-ix-policy/
Discrimination & Discriminatory Harassment Policy (non sex or gender):
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/
ADA & Section 504:
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/504-ada-grievance/student-grievance-procedure-resolving-complaints-under-ada-section-504/
Disabilities
If you have any disability and therefore may have need for some type of accommodation in order to participate fully in this class, please feel free to discuss your concerns in private with Erin Salva, director of Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS). (phone: (740) 427-5453).
Statement on Title IX
Kenyon College does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. The requirement of non-discrimination in educational programs and activities extends to employment and admission.
All employees, including faculty, are considered Responsible Employees and must notify the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator with any relevant information.
For further information, please refer to the following Kenyon College policies:
Sexual Misconduct & Harassment: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII:
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/title-ix-vawa/kenyon-policies/title-ix-policy/
Discrimination & Discriminatory Harassment Policy (non sex or gender):
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/
ADA & Section 504:
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/504-ada-grievance/student-grievance-procedure-resolving-complaints-under-ada-section-504/
Tutoring (MSSC)
Visit MSSC website. Zoom Link for MSSC. Meeting ID: 812 2179 7199 Passcode: mssckenyon
