COURSE TIMES:

PREREQUISITES: Discrete Math and Advanced Programming. You must drop the course if you haven't gotten a C or better in Intermediate. You might want to drop if you haven't had Discrete Math. You should probably take Advanced Programming prior to this class but I will not attempt to enforce that prerequisite.

INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Mark Allen Weiss

OFFICE HOURS: You are free to stop by my office (ECS-355) any time you can find me. My office hours represent a time when I am (more or less) guaranteed to be available. This semester this is Tueday and Thursday, 2:00 - 3:15 PM and after 7:45 PM. My office phone is FIU-2036.

On other days, and after hours, you are better off trying email: weiss email address. You will generally get an answer within 10 minutes of my reading the message, and I do tend to be connected often and at very late hours.

I have three standing rules:

  1. I will not debug programs. Debugging is part of the assignment. If you are very confused about some compiler error messages, you can ask, but read the error message carefully and ask as a last resort, not a first. Also, check the announcements page, since I occasionally post answers to common problems reported to me.
  2. If you miss class, get the class notes from a classmate or check the lectures page. Do not ask me what you missed.
  3. I am very unsympathetic toward questions that are asked on the program due date. You should be done by then.

LANGUAGES AND PLATFORMS: This course will be conducted in C++. I assume that you are reasonably well-versed in C++, having had Intermediate Programming in C++. You must use a compiler that reasonably supports the ANSI C++ Standard, such as Visual C++ 6.0. Visual C++ 5.0 may cause you problems.

C++ Book Cover

TEXT: The course text is my book Data Structures, and Problem Solving with C++, Second Edition. There are no other texts required or recommended. This edition is significantly revised from the first edition and I do not recommend using the first edition.

COURSE GRADING: Grades will be based on six programs, quizzes based on the programs, at least one exam, a possible pre-final, and a final examination. The exam(s) are worth 2 programs, the final is worth 3 programs, and each quiz is worth half a program. The prefinal, if it occurs, will be worth between 50 and 100 points. You need 70% to get a C. I reserve the right to change the method of assigning grades, including changing the number of assignments or exams, but in no case will a curve be applied.

PROGRAMS: Barring tragedy, I will not accept late programs. Your submission must include source code and sample output. I will generally specify what the data is. Your work must be your own, and you must attest to this in a signed comment that begins each program. The assignments and if appropriate, input data, will be placed here.

COURSE OUTLINE (OPTIMISTIC):