Meeting Times and Locations
- Lecture: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:10 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in
Reid 401.
Instructor
- John Paxton:
Office Hours are Monday, Friday from 3:10 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and
Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
in Barnard Hall 353 and by appointment.
- John is also available by appointment
via WebEx.
Course Assistants
- Colton Bauer: colton.bauer@student.montana.edu will attend
class on Wednesday and Friday. Office hour: Fridays at 4:10 p.m.
in Barnard Hall 259 and by appointment.
- Connor Meyn: connor.meyn@student.montana.edu will attend
class on Monday and Wednesday. Office hour: Tuesdays at 3:10 p.m.
in Barnard Hall 259 and by appointment.
- Henry Jacobson: henry.jacobson@student.montana.edu will attend
class on Monday and Friday. Office hour: Thursdays at 8:00 a.m.
in Barnard Hall 259 and by appointment.
CSCI 495 Helpers
- Greg Fulbright: Monday and Friday
- Megan Weide: Monday and Wednesday
Textbook and Resources
Catalog Description
- Credits: 3
- Description: Examines the computing field and how it impacts the
human condition. Introduces exciting ideas and influential people.
Provides a gentle introduction to computational thinking using the
Python programming language.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be be able to:
- Appreciate the variety of ways in which computing can
improve the human condition.
- Appreciate how computational skills can benefit one's career and life.
- Design and implement short programs in an interpreted
language such as Python.
- Understand some of the significant ideas and people that underlie
computing's past, present and future.
Graded Items
Note: Practicums must be taken at the regularly scheduled time.
- Practicum 1 - 15%
- Practicum 2 - 15%
- Practicum 3 - 25%
- Programming Assignments - 45% (all weighted equally)
Grading Policy
To pass the course, you must average at least 50% on the practicums.
Assuming that this is the case, grades will be determined
(after any curving takes place) based on your class average as follows:
- 93+: A
- 90+: A-
- 87+: B+
- 83+: B
- 80+: B-
- 77+: C+
- 73+: C
- 70+: C-
- 67+: D+
- 63: D
- 60: D-
If you fall within one percentage point of the next grade
higher, your grade on the final exam will be examined. If it
justifies you being in the next higher grade category, you will
receive that higher grade.
Collaboration Policy
All students should read the
MSU
Student Conduct Code.
When it comes to Python assignments, you may
- Work with the other people on your team if teams are allowed.
Each assignment will specify the maximum number of people per team.
- Share ideas with people in other teams.
- Help other teams troubleshoot problems.
You may NOT
- Share code you write with other teams.
- Submit code that someone on your team did not write.
- Modify another team's solution and claim it as your own.
Failure to abide by these rules will result in an "F"
for the course and being reported to the Dean of Students.
Diversity Statement
Respect for Diversity: It is my intent that students from all
diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well-served by this course,
that students' learning needs be addressed both in and out of class,
and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as
a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials
and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender identity, sexual
orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race,
religion, culture, perspective, and other background characteristics.
Your suggestions about how to improve the value of diversity in this
course are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve
the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students
or student groups.
Last modified: September 6, 2022.