CS1371 Introduction to Computing for Engineers

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CS1371Introduction to Computing for Engineers

• Introduction

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Course Introduction
Learning Objectives How we will administer this
class

• Outline
• Purpose of this class
• What do we want you to learn?
• Lessons for this class?
• Summary

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What is the Purpose of CS1371?

• Computing for Engineers
• Learn computing in the context of engineering in
  a course that is taught by engineers
• Goals
• Illustrate the value of computing and computer
  programming in engineering.
• Provide an opportunity to you to get excited
  about engineering and how engineers solve
  problems.
• Learn how to continue learning how to program.
• Have fun!

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What Do WE Want You to Learn?

• On the completion of this course we expect you
• to understand fundamental programming concepts,
• to apply concepts of problem solving to
  engineering problems,
• to be able to design and implement simple
  computer programs in MATLAB to solve engineering
  problems,
• to understand how to approach other computer
  languages,
• to create reports using Microsoft Office, and
• to learn how to continue learning how to design
  and write programs and to use the computer
  effectively in solving problems in engineering.

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Course Software

• Personal productivity
• Microsoft Office 2k or Office XP
• Available on Campus Computers
• If you want your own, purchase at GT Bookstore
• Matlab
• Student Version R2007a
• same as professional version without many
  Toolboxes
• Purchase at Engineers Bookstore or BN_at_GT
• Available on Campus Computers
• Professional version
• Many Toolboxes

NOTEBoth PC and Mac versions are available
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Resources

• Course Web Page
• http//www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2008/cs1371_spr
  ing/
• T-Square more later
• Georgia Tech Resources
• http//www.gatech.edu
• Search Engines
• http//www.askjeeves.com
• http//www.google.com
• http//www.excite.com
• Matlab
• http//www.mathworks.com

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Who Are We
Who David Smith - Instructor Email
dmsmith_at_cc.gatech.edu (send email only from
your prism (gt) account and include CS1371 in
the subject line) Office Room 121, College of
Computing. My website http//www.cc.gatech.edu/f
ac/David.Smith Office hours See personal web
site
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Two Scheduled Sessions

• Lecture
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
• Lecture presented by Course Instructor.
• Held in a large lecture hall.
• Your tests are held in the large lecture hall.
• Recitation
• Tu Thurs 3pm, 430 or 6pm
• Led by your Teaching Assistant (TA).
• Smaller group setting geared for questions and
  answers (no new material will be presented).

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Two Types of Homework

• Homework
• Due approximately every week.
• Typically Matlab programming.
• Labs
• Due approximately every other week.
• Covers skills such as Email, news, HTML, Excel.
• These are still just homework they have nothing
  to do with a laboratory. The name is an artifact
  of days gone by

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Reading from Text

• You are expected to read the text
• Some test questions may come from the reading
  material

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Graded items

• Homework numerous covering Matlab.
• Labs about 4 covering computer skills such as
  Email, News, Excel, HTML, etc.
• Tests 3 tests given during the large lecture,
  dates TBA
• Final exam consult OSCAR for published date
  time, but subject to change!

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Course Grading Breakdown
Grading Breakdown (there is no
curve) HW 15 Labs 5 Tests
(3_at_15each) 45 Final 35 -------
100
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Collaboration

• We will separate Learning Tasks from Assessment
• Homework/Labs are geared to help you learn and
  master the material.
• Tests and the Final Exam are used to give the
  majority of the assessment of your ability.
• We are encouraging an open and collaborative
  learning environment for homework and labs.
• More on this in the coming lectures.

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Real Live Help

• In addition to the online resources for this
  course, numerous people are available to help
  you.
• Please seek help from the following
• TA (or newsgroup)
• Help Desk in the CoC (details later)
• Head TA
• Instructor

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Some Tips

• For many students this will be your first REAL
  exposure to Computer Science (unlike Math,
  Chemistry, etc.)
• Some of the topics will be VERY hard to grasp at
  first, especially some of the fundamental
  concepts! (it does get easier)
• You cant learn simply by reading or cramming
  you MUST struggle with the programs and work the
  homework!
• Dont rely on always asking somebody when you
  figure it out for yourself, youll remember it!

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Some Tips

• Programming (English Writing math
  logic)
• syntax (i.e. grammar)
• (creativity
  rigidity)
• making mistakes
• a lot of work (i.e.
  assigned work)
• extra work (i.e. more
  practice)

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Tip 1
Dont wait until the last minute to get help
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Tip 2
Hey, can I pass if I can get enough partial
credit?
Bad things happen while learning a new skill.
You will probably crash and burn on some
programs. Start early leave yourself time for
mistakes.
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Tip 3
Dont be too ambitious with your course load.
You CANNOT slack off in this class, even for a
few days.
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Questions?
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