WELCOME TO JAVA

To participate in this class you will need:

· A book (see syllabus).

· A computer (your own or at CCRI).

· Access to WebCT (which you clearly have if you are reading this).

· Previous programming experience: You should have completed the Programming Concepts course at a minimum. Any other programming experience will be a real help to you.

· Java version 1.6 or newer installed on your computer. Download from http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. Click on "Java SE Development Kit (JDK) - Download".

· A text editor you can use. I recommend using TextPad (http://www.textpad.com). I recommend against using NotePad or WordPad. TextPad has many advantages over these! It is shareware: you can use it for free for the semester, but then should either delete it or pay for it if you intend to continue using it. There are several other Java IDEs; I cannot support installation problems with them. The only IDE available at CCRI is TextPad.

· Program files from the book. There is a link in WebCT to download these.

· Online students need a lot of self-discipline: are you ready to read the book and do the assignments on your own? Not everyone is!

· To know when to ask for help – and when to keep trying. If you have spent an hour and feel you have made NO progress, then an e-mail to me is in order. When e-mailing me about a problem, you must send me 1) the program in its current state and 2) as much information as you can give me about what problem you are having. Things like "this doesn't run right" don't help me find the problem! Something like a copy/paste of an error message or a screenshot of a "funky" output does.

I will always be available for help during the lab portion of the class. Bring your "work in progress" with you. Appointments to see me in my office can be scheduled. Contact me to schedule an appointment.

Alternately, a private chat session using WebCT can be arranged to work on the problem.

How will this class be run?

· Each class will be divided into a lecture portion and a lab. The lecture will run approximately 2 to 3 hours, lab to follow. Attendance is up to you.

· There will be PowerPoint presentations for each class. They will be posted here in WebCT. Be sure to go through them! They will sometimes have extra material, not covered in the book – but that will show up on Quizzes and/or Exams. Video of the classroom lectures will also be available to you through WebCT should you miss a class.

· There will be several assignments. Assignments are 30% of your grade. Watch the syllabus and WebCT for when assignments are due. Assignment more than 48 hours late will not be accepted unless prior permission has been granted. A late assignment is penalized 10%. You are expected to turn in working programs only. That is, programs that compile without errors and perform at least part of the tasks specified in the assignment (for partial credit).

· There will be a quiz most weeks. Quizzes are 5% of your grade. Watch WebCT for when they are available and due. They are OPEN BOOK but timed. The intent is to alert the students to areas that need more attention. Any missed quiz will be graded 0: no makeups or late quizzes! The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

· There will be 2 exams. The midterm is 25% of your grade, the final is 40%. More information about their structure later. You MUST come to CCRI for the exams unless special arrangements are made in advance. For online students, dates and times will be arranged to fit your schedule.

· You are responsible for checking WebCT's HomePage and your WebCT mail frequently. Announcements will be made there regarding assignments, chat sessions, all sorts of important information!

· Please do NOT work together on your assignments or quizzes. You will have to write code when taking the two exams, and the best way to prepare for this is to WRITE (not copy) CODE.

· Please communicate with me using WebCT's Mail feature (not Pipeline/Internet e-mail). This will get you the fastest reply to your questions.

Ready? Set…Go! You can get the first PowerPoint and assignment any time. Hope you all have a rewarding semester!

2 HOMEWORK BONUS POINTS for reading all of this! Send me a WebCT mail message, subject "BONUS" to get your points.