(501110-2) Introduction to Problem Solving

Homepage and Syllabus

Disclaimer

This is the best information available as of today, Sunday October 18, 2020 at 4:22 p.m. KSA time. Changes will appear in this web page as the course progresses.

Meeting time and place

  • Section 1625: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Due to COVID 19 pandemic, these classes will be conducted remotely and online via blackboard until further notice.

Instructor: Dr. Emad Alsuwat

Course Homepage: https://emadalsuwat.github.io/introproblemsolving-Fall2020.html
Office: W101 CIT
Office hours: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there will be no in-person office hours. Please email me if you have any question. If necessary, I will arrange a phone call or a virtual meeting
Phone: NA
Email: Alsuwat@tu.edu.sa

Course Overview

The course presents fundamental concepts of problem solving techniques in computer science and other computational sciences. Topics include: Problem-solving approaches and process, Arithmetic Expression, Debugging, Decision structures, Repetition Structures.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
  • introduce concepts, techniques, and problem solving skills in the field of computing.
  • apply problem solving skills to solve common real-life problems.
  • select appropriate solutions to problems.
  • write pseudo code and use other problem solving tools to illustrate solutions.

Textbook

  • Required: Maureen Sprankle, and Jim Hubbard Problem Solving & Programming Concepts, 9th edition, Pearson

Examinations

  • Midterm Exam: October 27, 2020 - From 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Final Exam: TBD

Grading

  • Midterm Exam: 25%
  • Homework Assignments: 20%
  • Participation and Quizzes: 10%
  • Final Exam: 45%

Topics to be covered

Below are roughly the sections of the CLRS book that I will cover. I may de-emphasize some topics and add others, but this is basically the list.

Topic Text Reference
Introduction to Computers and Programming
Intro to Algorithms
Problem-solving process - I (Input and output, programming process)
Problem-solving process - II (System development, pseudo-code)
Problem-solving process - III (Flowchart)
Arithmetic Expression - I (Variables and basic types, mathematical expressions, Order of Operations, Associativity of Operators, Grouping with Parentheses)
Arithmetic Expression - II (Algebraic Expressions, Postfix expression, Prefix expression, Multiple Assignment and Combined Assignment)
Tracing a Program (Focus on debugging: Hand tracing a Program, Focus problem solving: A case study)
Decision Structures - I (Relational Operators, Relational Expressions, Logical Operators)
Decision Structures - II (Flowchart for Evaluating a Decision- (Single, double, multi-way, nested), Solving problems using decisions structures)
Repetition Structures - I (The Increment and Decrement Operators, Repetition Flowchart (Pre-test loop (e.g., while loop), Post-test loop (e.g., do-while loop))
Repetition Structures - II (Repetition Flowchart( Counting loop (e.g., for loop), Nested loop structures))
Repetition Structures - III (Deciding which repetition structure to use, Solving problems using repetition structures)

Lecture Notes and Homework Assignments

Note that changes to the table below will appear week by week as the course progresses

Week Topic Slides Assignment Due Date
Week 1 Syllabus Week - - -
Week 2 Introduction to Computers and Programming Chapter 1 - -
Week 3 Problem-solving Process Chapter 2 Homework 1 Sept 21, 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Week 4 Variables and Arithmetic Expression Chapter 3 Homework 2 Sept 28, 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Week 5 Hand tracing Chapter 4 Homework 3 Oct 5, 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Week 6 Review previous Exercises
Quiz 1
Decision Structures 		Chapter 5
Introduce chapter 5 		Quiz 1 Oct 7, 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Week 7 Decision Structures Chapter 5
Finish chapter 5 		Homework 4 Oct 19, 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Week 8 More exercises on decision structure
Week 9 Midterm Exam
The Exam will cover
textbook chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Date: October 27, 2020 		- - -
Week 10 Using flowgorithm software to solve exercises
Week 11 Repetition Structures - I Chapter 6 - -
Week 12 Repetition Structures - II Chapter 6 Homework 5 November 23, 2020
Week 13 Repetition Structures - III Chapter 6 Quiz 2 -
Week 14 Revision - - -