Class information
CS161A Programming I
- CRN: 23559
- Credits: 4
- Locations, days, times, and instructors:
- Online (scheduled meetings), TuThTuesday and Thursday, from 6 to 8:50pm
From April 1 through June 12, 2025, Benjamin M Schaeffer
- Online (scheduled meetings), TuThTuesday and Thursday, from 6 to 8:50pm
Class materials
Textbooks
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Details about this class
The course consists of assignments, discussion, a midterm and a final exam, so be prepared to spend up to 12 hours a week. To help you all learn and connect, you will be able to pair up for discussion work and zyBooks labs. All other work must be completed alone with help only from me or the 不良研究所 tutors. There will be no late penalties - getting behind becomes its own penalty. More information can be found in the class syllabus.
Because this is a web course, lectures will be recorded and attendance is not required. Attendance is highly recommended - that's where you can ask questions for clarification and challenge yourself answering my questions. The week before the term starts I will email everyone with more details about lecture, drop-in lab, and office hours.
Technology
This is a web-based course conducted through using through D2L, which is learning management system, and Zoom. Students must have access to either a desktop or laptop personal computer. You will need to use a C++ compiler; this can be done on your personal computer or through any standard web browser using , or use an integrated development environment (IDE) with C++ such as Visual Studio Community Edition, VS Code or Xcode.
This course uses an online textbook from zyBooks.com which is not free. There is no hardcopy textbook, but you can make printouts for yourself. The text can be accessed using any standard web browser. It is better to buy from the zybooks website than the 不良研究所 bookstore (the pricing is better and you can extend the subscription if you wish when the term ends) unless you have financial aid. You can get a temp subscription for 1 month. If you have a 1-year subscription that cannot use that for these books - email support@zybooks.com for any issues. The response time is very good.
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The vast majority of computer science and engineering courses have expensive textbooks. The previous version of this course required a >$100 paper textbook; the new one costs less and has interactive exercises which give you feedback.
No show policy
Your instructor can mark you as a "no show" if you do not participate in your class during the first week. This will remove you from the class.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities should notify their instructor if accommodations are needed to take this class. For information about technologies that help people with disabilities taking Online based classes please visit the Disability Services website.