Course Syllabus

CS 107, "Computing, Mobile Apps, and the Web", provides a gentle introduction to computing. You'll learn programming by building mobile apps for phones and tablets with the visual language App Inventor. No prior programming experience is required, and the pace of the course is more manageable compared to the department's other first semester course, CS 110.

The course will provide you with terrific practical skills and knowledge-- it is one of the most effective USF core course in preparing students to get jobs. No matter what discipline you choose, software likely is a part of it, so understanding the fundamentals of coding is crucial. Perhaps most importantly, you will learn problem-solving skills-- applied logic-- that can help you in every walk of life.

Topics and Schedule  Student Portfolios

Core, CS Minor: The course fulfills USF’s Core Math requirement and also counts towards a Computer Science minor.

CS Major: The course does not cover a Computer Science Major requirement, but students do take this course in preparation for the first course in the major, CS 110.

Pre-Requisites: There are no pre-requisites and no prior coding experience is expected.

Place:  Kudlick Multimedia classroom, Harney Science Center, RM. 235,

Time: MW 9:50-11:35  (NOTE SPECIAL START TIME)

Professor: David Wolber (wolberd@usfca.edu)  Office: Harney 529
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:45-12:30, Thursdays 2-3, and by appointment.

TA:  Thomas Simpson, therealtsimpson@gmail.com / tpsimpson@dons.usfca.edu  

TA Office Hours: Mondays 5:00-7:00, Harney 535 or 530, Thursdays 5:00-7:00, Harney 535 or 5:30

Android Phone/Tablet: You must bring an Android phone or tablet to class every session. If you use an Android as your regular phone, you are encouraged to use it. If not, you may check a device out from the USF library and return it at the end of the semester. As with any library check-out, you will be responsible for lost items. In this case, the charge is over $400, so be careful!

Textbook. Wolber, D. Abelson, H. Spertus, E. and Looney, L., App Inventor 2: Create your own Android apps, 2014. This book is available in paperback at the bookstore or at Amazon. You may also use the free pdf version.

Grading

* Checklist assignments and creative projects:                                          40%

* Quizzes (6-8) and Midterms (2),                                                                60%

Assignments and Creative Projects

The course meets in the Kudlick Classroom (HR 235). A portion of most class meetings will be devoted to hands-on in-class programming assignments. These tasks will primarily be completed during class time but usually will require out-of-class work to complete. 

The assignments are a significant part of the grade for the course. Due dates are strict and there are no make up assignments. You may replace a single missed assignment or low score sometime during the semester with an assignment provided by your instructor.

Creative projects involve the design and development of a custom app. Students will work in groups and individually. For creative projects, you are responsible for documenting your work on your portfolio. Assignment due dates are strict: no credit is given for work turned in late.

The Kudlick lab is available in the evenings, and there are two labs on Harney 5th floor available (HR 530 and HR 535). You can also work  on your laptops and home computers.

Quizzes and Code Camp

Quizzes will be given on Wednesdays at the start of class. The quizzes will cover concepts from the in-class lessons, assignments, and creative projects-- completing class assignments-- on your own-- is a great way to prepare for the quizzes. 

Each week, you may attend Code Camp to make up to 1/3 of the points you miss on the quiz, or 10 points, whichever is more. So if you get a 40 on the quiz, you can make up 60/3 = 20 points to receive a total of 60. If you get a 100, you can earn 10 points, for a total of 110. Code camp is in Professor Wolber's office. You'll work with another student on a whiteboard for about 20 minutes, working on questions related to the corresponding quiz. To receive points, you must attend Code Camp within one week of the quiz. Code camp is available during the Wolber's office hours. If you can't make those hours, make an appointment.

You may not make up a quiz due to unexcused absence. If you miss a quiz due to illness, you must notify the instructor before the quiz and bring a doctor's note to verify. If you need to miss because of sports absence, you must notify the instructor beforehand to reschedule. If you do miss a quiz unexcused, you can attend code camp and receive up to 50% of the points.

Midterms

There are two midterms. These are comprehensive tests based on all previous material for the semester. They are worth triple (3X) the points of a regular quiz. You may do code camp following midterm 1. There is no code camp for midterm 2 (which is near the end of the semester).

Attendance

Because of the hands-on nature of the course, attendance is mandatory. As specified above, there are no makeups for missed assignments and quizzes. If you miss more than three sessions, you will be asked to drop the course.