Syllabus: CSCI 127

Weekly Schedule

Joy and Beauty of Data

CSCI 127 introduces programming and data science through Python. Students learn to solve problems using fundamental programming concepts, including functions, iteration, lists, files, dictionaries, and object-oriented programming, before applying data-science libraries to manipulate, analyze, and visualize data.

Course Description

CSCI 127. Joy and Beauty of Data. 4 Credits. (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

(F, Sp, Su) Provides a gentle introduction to the exciting world of big data and data science. Students expand their ability to solve problems with Python by learning to deploy lists, files, dictionaries, and object-oriented programming. Data-science libraries are introduced that enable data to be manipulated and displayed. To succeed in this course, either basic computer literacy or CSCI 107 is recommended.

Course Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain at a high level what data science is and why it is important.
2. Use arrays, lists, files, and dictionaries to solve problems in Python.
3. Use object-oriented principles such as classes, objects, methods, and inheritance to solve problems in Python.
4. Use data-science libraries to manipulate, analyze, and visualize data.

Instructor

Daniel DeFrance

• Office hours
• Office: Gianforte Hall 160-C
• Email: daniel.defrance@montana.edu
• Faculty Directory

Meeting Times

• Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00–9:50 a.m. in Gianforte Hall 200
• Labs: Tuesday in Roberts Hall 111; meeting time depends on assigned section

Lectures and Textbook

Take notes in class so you can capture important ideas and review them when studying. You may also bring a laptop to follow along with in-class coding examples.

The primary textbook is available free online. An effective approach is to read each topic before attending the lecture and return to it after making lecture notes. Reading assignments are listed in the schedule. You are encouraged to ask questions during lectures whenever you would like clarification.

Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants (TAs) provide assistance during labs, hold office hours in the Student Success Center, answer questions, and grade assignments.

Labs

Each week, you will attend a hands-on lab in addition to the three lecture meetings. Labs generally take one or two hours to complete and result in an assignment submitted for grading. A TA will be present to answer questions, provide guidance, and grade the assignment. Get to know your assigned TA and take note of their office hours.

Open Labs

TAs are available from 9:00–10:50 a.m. You may attend these open labs regardless of your assigned section. If you attend an open lab instead of your regular section, coordinate with your assigned TA.

• 9:00–9:50 a.m. — TBD
• 10:00–10:50 a.m. — TBD

Regular Lab Sections

Programs

Programs are take-home assignments that require more time and effort than the weekly labs. Consequently, there are fewer programs and you have more time to complete them. Programs are generally assigned every other week. Make every effort to finish them before the deadline, preferably early in the week.

Submit a working attempt early once you believe it is worth some credit; you may improve and resubmit it until the deadline. Your TA will be familiar with the current program and can help during office hours, but scheduled lab time is reserved for the lab assignment. For additional program help, visit the Student Success Center in Gianforte Hall Room 118.

Exams

There are three exams during the semester, including the final exam during finals week. The first two exams take place in Gianforte Hall 200 during the regular class period. The final exam follows the university's final-exam schedule. All three exams are weighted equally; the final exam is not worth more than the other two.

Grading

Exams must be taken at the regularly scheduled time and designated location and will not be given early or late.

• Weekly labs — 45% (evenly weighted)
• Programs — 25% (evenly weighted)
• Exams — 30% (evenly weighted)

To pass the course, you must average at least 50% on the exams.

Letter grades are determined after any curving takes place. A curve, if used, will only lower the minimum percentages required for letter grades; it will never raise them. Without a curve, the following scale applies:

Course Policies

See the policies page for general course policies.

CSCI 127 Specific Policy

In an emergency, you may use one seven-day late pass for a lab assignment through Week 12. The late pass does not apply to programs. To use it, email your TA before the original deadline and submit the assignment within seven days of its due date.

Additional MSU Resources