CPSC 181CPSC 181Intro to ComputingIntro to Computing

Dr. Jinxiang ChaiDr. Jinxiang Chai

My BackgroundMy Background

Education:Education:

- PhD: Carnegie Mellon University- PhD: Carnegie Mellon University Research:Research: - Build animation systems that allow - Build animation systems that allow childrenchildren & &

nonprogrammersnonprogrammers to create and control animation to create and control animation quicklyquickly and and easilyeasily

Motion capture lab (HRBB 505)Motion capture lab (HRBB 505)

Today’s ClassToday’s Class

Review of the SyllabusReview of the Syllabus Brief review of the departmentBrief review of the department Brief overview of the CS Curriculum Brief overview of the Writing CenterBrief overview of the Writing Center ReadingsReadings

SyllabusSyllabus

Instructor: Jinxiang ChaiInstructor: Jinxiang Chai TAs: Jacob Smith (TTH: 1:00pm-2:00pm)TAs: Jacob Smith (TTH: 1:00pm-2:00pm) GoalsGoals Topics/ScheduleTopics/Schedule Textbook/websiteTextbook/website GradingGrading

My InformationMy Information

Office: 527D H.R. Bright BldgOffice: 527D H.R. Bright Bldg Office Hours: Office Hours: TuesdaysTuesdays 12:50pm - 12:50pm -

1:20pm; other times by appointment1:20pm; other times by appointment Email: Email: jchai@cs.tamu.edujchai@cs.tamu.edu Office Phone: 845-3510Office Phone: 845-3510

GoalsGoals

Introduction to the broad field of computing

- Include presentations on how fundamental concepts are used in end products and research

Introduction to technical writing - Presentations on writing (next two lectures)

- Required text on writing - Significant writing assignments

Topics and ScheduleTopics and Schedule

Totally, we will meet 13-15 times, Totally, we will meet 13-15 times,

- Meet once a week- Meet once a week

- Introduction (1)- Introduction (1)

- Technical writing & brief history of - Technical writing & brief history of computer science (2)computer science (2)

- Industry talks & faculty talks (10-- Industry talks & faculty talks (10-12)12)

Textbook & WebsiteTextbook & Website

Required - Writing for Computer Science, Justin Zobel,

second edition, Springer, 2004. - Excellent reference book

WebCT: http://elearning.tamu.edu, - Check often for: Writing assignment grades and

recording of questions asked

Course website: (from my home page) - http://www.cs.tamu.edu/faculty/jchai/cpsc181

AssignmentsAssignments Six short written assignmentsSix short written assignments Most will be a review of a lecture Most will be a review of a lecture

(classes 4 – 13)(classes 4 – 13) Summarize topic, lecture information, Summarize topic, lecture information, Give personal viewGive personal view

The first will be a survey of faculty in this The first will be a survey of faculty in this department.department. Due in 2 weeksDue in 2 weeks Pick 6 faculty, two from each levelPick 6 faculty, two from each level Write one paragraph about each faculty Write one paragraph about each faculty

membermember

Final ReportFinal Report

A 5-7 page documentA 5-7 page document Topic of your choosingTopic of your choosing

Pick by 3/5Pick by 3/5 Outline, references, drafts at other datesOutline, references, drafts at other dates

For all assignments, see the For all assignments, see the written descriptions for more written descriptions for more details.details.

GradingGrading Grading is on a pass/fail basis.Grading is on a pass/fail basis. - To receive a satisfactory grade, you must complete all of the following - To receive a satisfactory grade, you must complete all of the following

satisfactorily.satisfactorily. Short Reports:Short Reports: - Complete six short written reports with a grade of 7 or higher (out of 10)- Complete six short written reports with a grade of 7 or higher (out of 10) Final Report:Final Report: - Complete this report with a grade of 70 or higher (out of 100) - Complete this report with a grade of 70 or higher (out of 100) Class Participation:Class Participation: - You are expected to ask questions of the speakers. - You are expected to ask questions of the speakers. - State your name before asking the question so that the teaching - State your name before asking the question so that the teaching

assistant can record the information during class. assistant can record the information during class. - You must ask at least two questions, in two different classes. - You must ask at least two questions, in two different classes. Attendance:Attendance: - mandatory,- mandatory, - 2+ unexcused absences will fail the course - 2+ unexcused absences will fail the course

The CS DepartmentThe CS Department

Faculty: Faculty: Tenured/Tenure-TrackTenured/Tenure-Track

Have both research and teaching Have both research and teaching responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Assistant Professors: Newer, not tenuredAssistant Professors: Newer, not tenured Associate Professors: Not new, usually Associate Professors: Not new, usually

tenuredtenured Professors: TenuredProfessors: Tenured

Teaching FacultyTeaching Faculty Primary duties are teachingPrimary duties are teaching

The CS DepartmentThe CS Department

Administrative Staff, Accounting Administrative Staff, Accounting Staff, Facilities StaffStaff, Facilities Staff

Advising – Richardson 9Advising – Richardson 9thth floor floor Joe Hurley, Rick FurutaJoe Hurley, Rick Furuta Marilyn PaytonMarilyn Payton

Computing Services Group – HRBB Computing Services Group – HRBB 22ndnd floor floor HelpdeskHelpdesk

Student OrganizationsStudent Organizations Aggie Women in Computer Science (AWICS) - http://awics.cs.tamu.edu/

Student Engineers’ Council (SEC) - http://sec.tamu.edu/

Texas A&M Computing Society (TACS) - Student chapter of ACM and IEEE-CS - http://tacs.cs.tamu.edu/

Texas Aggie Game Developers (TAGD) - http://tagd.cs.tamu.edu/

Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) Computer Science Honor Society - http://upe.cs.tamu.edu/

The CS DepartmentThe CS Department

Look at the department website:Look at the department website:- - http://www.cs.tamu.eduhttp://www.cs.tamu.edu

- Lots of information there to help you - Lots of information there to help you learn about the departmentlearn about the department

Also, individual faculty, research Also, individual faculty, research groups have their own websitesgroups have their own websites

The CS CurriculumThe CS Curriculum New CS curriculumNew CS curriculum

Give students more fundamental Computer Give students more fundamental Computer Science earlier onScience earlier on

Most fundamental information in first 2 yearsMost fundamental information in first 2 years Give students more flexibility later onGive students more flexibility later on

Allow students to tailor degree to match interestsAllow students to tailor degree to match interests Intro class to give overview of Computer Intro class to give overview of Computer

ScienceScience Capstone class at the endCapstone class at the end Developed in conjunction with industry Have necessary background to obtain industry

job after freshman year

The “Intro” Sequence of CS The “Intro” Sequence of CS classesclasses

Semester 1:Semester 1: CPSC 181: Intro CPSC 181: Intro

SeminarSeminar CPSC 121: Intro to CPSC 121: Intro to

Programming in C++Programming in C++

Semester 3:Semester 3: CPSC 314: CPSC 314:

Programming Programming LanguagesLanguages

CPSC 312: Computer CPSC 312: Computer OrganizationOrganization

Semester 2:Semester 2: CPSC 121: Data CPSC 121: Data

Structures and Structures and AlgorithmsAlgorithms

Semester 4:Semester 4: CPSC 313: CPSC 313:

Programming StudioProgramming Studio CPSC 315: Computer CPSC 315: Computer

SystemsSystems

Upper LevelUpper Level Four “Tracks” of classes:Four “Tracks” of classes:

Algorithms/TheoryAlgorithms/Theory SystemsSystems SoftwareSoftware Information and Intelligent SystemsInformation and Intelligent Systems

Take 1 class from each track (breadth)Take 1 class from each track (breadth) Take 3 classes in one track (depth)Take 3 classes in one track (depth) Take 1 class in any trackTake 1 class in any track Also: Upper level seminar class (481), Also: Upper level seminar class (481),

Senior Capstone class (482)Senior Capstone class (482)

University Writing University Writing CenterCenter

See www.writingcenter.tamu.edu for resources and to make appointments

Location: - 214 Evans Library - 205 West Campus Library Mission: Provide students of TAMU

with the opportunity to enhance written communication skills through the use of face-to-face, online consulting sessions, and other resources

UWC: HoursUWC: Hours Evans Library - Sunday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm - Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 10:00pm - Friday: 9:00am – 2:00pm West Campus Library - Sunday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm - Monday – Thursday: 12:00noon –

10:00pm - Friday: Closed

In-person SessionsIn-person Sessions

Sessions begin on the hour and can last up to 45 minutes.

Best to make an appointment one day in advance

Allow drop-in’s. More than 5 minutes late, results in a forfeit of the appointment.

Bring a copy of your assignment and prioritize your concerns

Required ReadingsRequired Readings

Read Chapters 1 and 13 of “Read Chapters 1 and 13 of “Writing for Computer Science”