Your Name:________________________________________________ Block________________

Course: A.P. Computer Science 2000-2001
Instructor: Mrs. Sheila King
Room 217

Contact info: To contact Mrs. King
voicemail & class-link recording: (714)444-9588 ext. 39#
e-mail: mrs_king@thinkspot.net

AP Exam: All students are expected to take the AP Exam in early May. Cost: Approx. $75. Additional costs: $20/year lab fee. Purchase of compiler to use on home computer for completing programming assignments: approx $65. This course is designed to give a thorough introduction to programming methods, algorithms, design and simple data structures. In addition, we must complete specific topics in order to prepare for the AP Exam. These topics are specified by the College Board. Conscientious students should find themselves well prepared for the AP exam.

Grading Scale: 100-88=A 87-77=B 76-66=C 65-50=D 49-0=F pluses and minuses are used within categories (Note: This departure form the school grading scale is based on the fact that an AP course is a college/university level course, and the material is very difficult. Support for such a grading scale has been presented at AP workshops and in College Board AP publications.)

Semester Grade: computed as follows...

Semester Exam = 20% Homework = 10% Programming Labs=20% Test/Quizzes=50%

Compute your homework average, H, by taking the total number of homework points you have earned and dividing it by the total number of homework points possible. Compute your Test/Quiz average, T, by taking all quiz and test points you have earned and dividing by the total points possible. Similarly, compute your Programming Lab average, P. If your Semester Exam percentage is E, then your semester grade is:

.10 (H) + .50 (T)+ .20 (P) + .20 (E) = Semester Grade

Care of the Computer Lab: The computer lab is used by many students each day. You are assigned to a particular machine and you must work on that machine only. However, it is not your personal machine. Five or six other students use that machine every day. Therefore, you may NOT customize the computer to your own preferences in any way. You may not install software or save files to the computer’s hard drive. You must not try to defeat the security program.

Take care of the computer. Insert only floppy disks which are in good condition into the floppy drives. Do not insert any other objects into the drives or any damaged floppies. Please refer to the Computer Lab Care Contract for further information. Failure to follow policies can result in loss of access to the lab.

Daily Routine: Wait outside the lab until the instructor arrives. We will not be using the computers every day. I will announce in advance how we will start class each day. When you come into class, prepare immediately for the appropriate activity, whether it be notetaking, programming or quizzing/testing.

Every day bring text, notebook, paper, pen, pencil and eraser to class. Follow directions, participate in class, take notes and ask questions. Do not be disruptive or cause distractions. Do not deface or damage property which is not your own. Do not make negative remarks or insults, even joking.

When problem behavior occurs, it will be noted in the teacher's infraction notebook, and the student must sign the notebook. Penalties include: detentions, parent phone calls, referrals to the dean's office, cleaning chores in the classroom, or whatever else I can think of. In extreme situations, a student may be suspended from class.

If the teacher does not show up to class within the first 5-10 minutes, a student must report to the Dean’s Office and inform the Attendance Secretary that there is no teacher in the room.

1. Homework: Assigned regularly and due the following day (unless otherwise announced). Homework is scored based on effort and completion and correctness. Label all homework assignments with homework number, your name, block number, date, and a list of assigned problems. Homework should be corrected and saved in your notebook to use as a resource for the pop quizzes, group & class activities, and for study purposes. Points given for homework will vary from 3 points to 15 points, depending on the assignment.

No late homework accepted. No make ups accepted. If you have a very unusual circumstance, such as long term illness which causes you to miss several consecutive classes, please meet with the instructor to discuss your situation.

Notebooks: REQUIRED. I do not grade them. A 3-ring binder is recommended, not a spiral. Use pencil or pen, student's choice. Take down everything the teacher writes on the board: definitions, notes, hints and examples. Add useful comments of your own. Jot down questions that you may have when working on homework or studying so that you will remember to ask them in class. Save returned quizzes and tests, and homework in your notebook. Notebooks will be allowed on the Pop Quizzes (but not on Scheduled Quizzes), so a well organized and complete notebook can be a great advantage. It is possible that previous homework and/or quiz or test problems, or problems similar to them, will appear on quizzes. Loose papers shoved inside the notebook or text do not qualify for use on Pop Quizzes. In case of absence, be sure to obtain the notes from another student in class.

Test/Quizzes: Both Tests and Quizzes must be done in pencil.

Tests: about every 4 weeks, so about 5 tests per semester. 100 points each. Test dates and material to be tested are clearly announced a few days in advance.

Quizzes: Some quizzes are Pop Quizzes, open notebooks. Other quizzes are scheduled. No open notes on scheduled quizzes. Quizzes vary from 10 to 25 points and are given about once per week. No make ups on Pop Quizzes. Missed Pop Quizzes are excused. A homework average of 90% allows you to drop a low quiz. On all quizzes and tests: Do your own work. Use only material specifically allowed by the teacher. Make up tests and quizzes may be an alternate form than taken by the rest of the class; some problems may be more difficult.

Programming Labs: An important part of this course involves writing computer programs. During the first month or two, you will be given a great deal of time to work on these during class. However, as time goes by you will find that you need to work on programming assignments outside of class. In order to do well on programming assignments, you will want to: (1) work on them as early as possible. Leaving them until the last minute will probably mean you cannot finish debugging them in time. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. (2) Plan your program well with paper and pencil before even sitting down to a computer to begin typing your code. (3) Get as much of your program done before programming days in class, so that you can use class time to get help on your errors. (4) Be willing to come outside of class for extra debugging help. (5) Do your own work. While it is helpful to discuss problems with other students, viewing too much of their program might lead you to unconsciously copy their work. If students turn in very similar code, the program will be scored once, and then divided amongst all these students, each student receiving a fraction of the grade.

Absences/Makeup work:
Advance Notice: (doctor’s appointment, funeral, extra-curricular activity, etc...) You must make arrangements with the instructor IN ADVANCE, otherwise your grade may suffer. For advance notice absences, you are MUST DO that day’s homework, as though you had been in class.

Unexpected Absence: (for example: illness or auto accident) Make arrangements with the instructor on the first day back in school.

If you are on campus, even though you may miss class, you are still expected to come and see me. Students who do not make timely arrangements will suffer loss of points.

No make up on pop quizzes (pop quiz is excused). Make up tests are usually an alternate form, sometimes with more difficult problems. It is always to your advantage to be in class, and when that is not possible, to talk to the instructor as early as possible about missing class.

Resources: Visit Mrs. King’s Mater Dei Web page at http://www.thinkspot.net/materdei/

You will find a variety of things, including mailing lists, discussion board, and helpful links. I’m updating it as time goes by, so check back often.

1. If possible, read the new material before the teacher presents it in class.
2. Avoid absences!!! Every time you are not in class you miss important information and you will have to spend time catching up.
3. Come to class on time, pay attention, and take good notes.
4. Be interested in the class.
5. If you get confused or the teacher is talking too fast, ask a question!!!! I cannot emphasize enough the importance of asking questions, even if all you can say is, "Could you start over again from the beginning?" Don't waste your time in class being confused thinking you'll figure it out later on your own. Try to understand EVERYTHING that goes on in class before you leave.
6. As soon as possible after class, or later that evening, review your class notes. Try to recall the reason the teacher worked examples as she did.
7. Complete ALL homework assignments. If you get some of the problems wrong, correct them and learn how to do them correctly.
8. If you have difficulty, see the instructor outside of class for extra help. Don't Delay!!

Student Contacts: Write down the names and phone numbers of at least three other students in the class, so that you have someone to call if you have questions or need help.

1._________________________ 2._________________________ 3. ______________________
phone:_____________________ phone:______________________ phone:___________________

Teacher Help Outside of Class: Check the tutoring schedule for my availability. Availability is posted in the classroom, announced on my web page (http://www.thinkspot.net/materdei/) and on my classlink recording. I usually do after school tutoring and expect students to show up within 10 minutes of the dismissal bell, no appointment necessary. On after school tutoring days, I will usually stay as late as 4 pm if students desire. Check both rooms 302 and 217 for tutoring. (I may be in either location.)

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Mrs. King, we have read the 4-page AP Computer Science policy handout for Mrs.King's class. If we have any questions, we will let you know promptly.

Student's name (print):_________________________________Block____________

Student's signature:___________________________________Date_____________

Parent's signature:____________________________________Date_____________