Course Procedures - Craig Persiko's CS 177 class

Course Objectives and Requirements

This course is an overview of Software Engineering. You are expected to already have a basic sense of what programming is, (in any language). Our emphasis will not be programming; we will focus on software engineering: the overall process including analysis, design, development, testing, project management, working in teams, etc.

Software engineering is a time consuming and complicated endeavor. I expect an average student to spend about 6 hours per week outside of class reading and working on assignments and other class work. If you don't have the time or dedication for such work, this class may not be for you.

How to reach me:

Web Page: http://fog.ccsf.edu/~cpersiko

Email: cpersiko@ccsf.edu

Office: Batmale 424
(415) 239-3332

Mailing address:
    Craig Persiko
    LB8
    50 Phelan Ave.
    San Francisco, CA 94112

Office Hours:
Wednesdays 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at Downtown Campus room 514
(other times by appointment, on phone or in person)

Getting Help:
Sharing ideas with each other is one of the best ways for you to learn, so when you have a question or problem, ask your classmates for help if possible. I'll also be happy to help you -- you can e-mail questions or call or stop by my office during office hours.

Supplies

Required Textbook: You can use an online version of the textbook to save you money (it will cost $47.45). You will be able to read it on your computer, on or offline (you can download it). The download is a .pdf file that will take 4 MB of memory on your hard drive, and can be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader, but works on only one machine. Or you can choose a different format which is accessed over the internet from any computer. Follow this link to buy it, or if that doesn't work, go to: http://ebooks.primisonline.com and select "Custom eBooks" and follow directions there, selecting USA, California, City College of SF, and finally "Software Engineering (Fall 2006)" If your book costs less than $47, you've selected the wrong book.
If you prefer, you can buy the hardcover textbook (list price is $118) instead (copies will be available in the CCSF downtown bookstore):
Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach, 6th Edition by Roger S Pressman,
McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2005
ISBN 007301933X or 0072853182
A few #2 pencils for tests

Attendance Policy

You are expected to attend all classes and be seated for the lecture to begin promptly at 6:00. Roll will be taken, but attendance will not be factored into the grade except to raise it in borderline cases. (If your attendance is above 85% and your grade is within 1% of the next letter grade, you will receive the higher letter grade.) Any information that you miss due to non-attendance is solely your responsibility. This may include helpful information for assignments and tests. I may drop you from the class if you miss more than 2 lectures in a row without explanation.

Days:

CRN 77299: Section 501: Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM: Downtown 514

Course Prerequisite:

CS 110A or CS 111A or CS 112A or CS 113A or CS 130A or CS 150A or previous programming experience We will do very little programming in this class, but some basic knowledge of programming will be needed to understand what we're doing.

Grading Policy:

Your final score will be made up of the following components:

25% - Homework
16% - Test #1
17% - Test #2
17% - Test #3
25% - Final Examination

There will be three tests given in this class, in addition to the final exam. If you will not be able to take a test when it's scheduled, you must notify me a few days before the test to request a make-up time.

Midterm and final grades will be assigned on the following percentage scale:

   90% - 100%   A
   80% - 89%     B
   70% - 79%     C
   60% - 69%     D
   0 - 59%         F

Homework:

Homework will be assigned about once a week. It will generally be due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. You may turn in your assignments in person or via e-mail.

Homework Lateness policy:

Because of the importance of keeping up with the pace of class, late homework will be penalized. Late homework will be penalized 25%. If you copy my solution for your homework, you will get 0 points.

Semester Schedule and Syllabus

No class: August 29
Last day to add a class: August 31
Last day to drop a class without it appearing on transcript: September 7
Test #1: Wed. September 19 covering:
- Chapters 1, 3-5, and 7 (Overview of the Software Process and Practice, and Requirements Engineering)
Test #2: Wed. October 17 covering:
- Chapters 8-12 (Analysis and Design)
Last day to drop a class: November 13
Test #3: Wed. November 14 covering:
- Chapters 13, 14, 16, and 21-22, and Section 15.3.1 (Testing, Web Engineering, Project Management, and Metrics)
Thanksgiving Eve (no class): Wednesday, November 21
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 19 (regular time and place), covering all of above topics plus:
- Chapters 23-27 (Estimation and Management)

Cheating

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. It will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment or test in question and can be cause for a failed grade and disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion. Cheating on homework means copying code or answers from someone else. Getting help from others is not cheating as long as you're not copying their work or allowing them to copy yours. On the exams, any collaboration or copying constitutes cheating.

Drop Procedures

Generally it is your responsibility to drop or withdraw from a class by the final deadlines given in your course schedule. Do not ask me to drop you; use the automated phone or web system, or contact the Office of Admissions and Records to be withdrawn from a class. If you have more than 2 unexplained consecutive class absences, I may drop you from the class. If your name is on the roll at the end of the semester and you have stopped attending class, you will be assigned a final grade of F. I will not give a late or retroactive drop or withdrawal.

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