Virginia Western Community College
COURSE SYLLABUS
ITP120 – Java Programming I
Instructor: Diane Wolff
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OFFICE AND MAIL INFORMATION: Business Science M310 |
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CONTACT PHONE: 540-857-6214 |
OFFICE HOURS: MTW 11-1 EST |
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E-MAIL ADDRESS: dwolff@virginiawestern.edu |
CLASS MEETING TIMES |
Overall How the Class will Run
I will not be on campus very much during the semester. I will be monitoring email essentially 24/7 and we will have an optional Zoom session every Tuesday evening at 6:00. I can also meet you on Zoom for individual help.
Course Description
ITP 120 Java Programming I (4 CR) Prerequisite: CSC221 for VWCC students. None for the VT section. Entails instruction in fundamentals of object-oriented programming using Java. Emphasizes program construction, algorithm development, coding, debugging, and documentation of console and graphical user interface applications. Lecture 4 hours per week.
ITP 120 is the first semester of Java programming. The Java programming language is one of the most important computer languages for both client-side and server-side applications. Java allows you to write intranet applications and other e-business solutions that are the foundation of corporate computing. It also is integral to the development of client-side applications for everything from games to Droid applications.
This course introduces the fundamentals of general computer programming and specifically Java. Topics include decisions, loops, and method calls. Collections are introduced and include arrays and ArrayLists.
Contact Methods and Response Time
I am teaching totally distance learning, so the fastest contact method is through email at dwolff@virginiawestern.edu. I read email just about 24/7 and generally respond within 24 hours if it is not within two days of the due date. This includes weekends. As due dates get closer, my email load increases dramatically so response may be slower (you can prevent this being a problem for you by starting early. Discussion forums will usually be answered within 24 hours. I will be grading right after you submit, and grades will usually be posted within 24 hours of the due date. See more details below.
Office Hours Information
My office is located in M310 in the Business Science building but I an rarely on campus. See above for office hours.
Attendance / Lateness Policy
This is a distance learning class with assignments due in two-week increments. There will also be Zoom recordings that you will be expected to watch. “Attendance” will be determined by submission of your assignments on the due dates.
Student Evaluation
Introductory
survey
10 points
Lab assignments 7 @ 50 points each
350 points
Weekly Coding quizzes@10 points each
140 points
Bi-weekly Mult Choice Quizzes @20 points each 140
points
Project @ 50
points
50 points
Final Exam @ 100
points
100 points
TOTAL
790
points
90%=A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 790
points
Weekly Modules - there is a coding module due every other Sunday at 8AM. We will cover the content for these in our movies and Sunday meetings.
Weekly Multiple Choice Quizzes - It is critical that you understand the concepts and terminology in the class. A multiple-choice quiz is due every other Sunday at 8AM along with the assignment. This is to test your knowledge of the concepts. You can have multiple attempts at this (open book/notes/Web) but no late quizzes are allowed.
Weekly Coding Quizzes - There will be a quiz due every Thursday at 8AM. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES ALLOWED. If you take all the quizzes, I will drop your one or two. The quiz will directly cover whatever material was discussed in the previous Tuesday Zoom session, so either attend the session or watch the recording before taking the quiz.
Make-up / Late Work POLICY
The schedule lists the due dates for each module. You may progress faster than the schedule but not slower without the instructor’s permission. This is for your good and mine since I must have all grades in right after the semester is over and I will be reviewing the answers in the Zoom sessions. Any submissions after the due date without instructor permission will be docked 30% if turned in within 24 hours of the due date/time. With previous instructor permission, only 20% off. For EXTREME circumstances, contact me. No late quizzes of either type will be allowed.
Academic Responsibilities
The materials on this site are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with the course and may not be retained or further disseminated. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with the full Honor Code and Conduct requirements which are described in the Student Handbook.
Inclement Weather Policy (not a problem for this section since we are DL)
Additional Information
Virginia Western policies, the course outline, and course syllabus along with additional student resources are available in Canvas.
Important Dates
Important Dates
First Day of Classes – Monday August 25th
Last Day to Register/Add a Class – Sunday August 31st
Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund – Thursday September 11th
Last Day to Withdraw Without Grade Penalty – Wednesday October 29th
Last Day of Classes Friday December 12th
Method of Instruction
All materials will be served from Canvas. This is where you will submit all your work. There are many useful documents and tools on the portal. We will have synchronous Zoom sessions Tuesday evening at 7PM. These will be recorded if you cannot “attend”. I will also have various other prerecorded movies for many of the modules for extra content.
Course Objectives
Please see Canvas link to the official course outline.
Textbook
Java, How to Program, 11th edition, Paul and Harvey Deitel. There is a paperback version and a loose-leaf version (I hear these falls apart easy). You can probably find the book used online at a reasonable price, or an e-version of it.
ISBN paperback 978-0134743356
ISBN loose leaf printed text 978-0134751856
Software
We will be using a version of Eclipse that you can download from Canvas. Let me know if you have questions. Macintosh folks: We will have instructions to help you.
Incompletes
A student will receive an Incomplete only under mitigating circumstances. An Incomplete grade will give the student additional time beyond the end of the semester to complete the course requirements. The student and instructor will decide on an appropriate deadline. Any outstanding work not completed by this agreed upon deadline will result in the Incomplete being changed to an F. An Incomplete will only be given if the student has mitigating circumstances and cannot complete the last few assignments or the final exam on time. Please contact me immediately if you have problems.
ITP120 – Fall 2025 Schedule
Schedule
Modules Due (SUNDAY at 8:00 AM)
(Remember that you also have weekly quizzes due Thursday 8AM and MC due with
the modules))
Survey Aug 31st
Module 1
Sept 7th Ch
1-2 Intro to Java, Classes, and Objects
Module
2 Sept
21st Ch 3 (skip 3.6) and 4 (to
section 4.7) Objects, classes, and
decisions
Module 3 Oct
5th Ch 4
(4.8-4.14) and Ch 5 (skip 5.11) More constructs, loops
Module
4 Oct
19th Ch 6 and 8 (skip
6.13, 8.16), Also 14.1-14.5 More Classes, OOP.
Module
5 Nov 2nd
Ch 7 (skip 7.11-7.12,
7.17) Arrays, ArrayLists, and other Collections
Module 6
Nov 16th Ch 9 and
10 (skip 9.7, 10.11) Adv Inheritance Topics and Interfaces
Module 7 Nov
30th Ch 11 and 15
I/O, Exceptions, and JavaDocs
Project
Dec 14th
Final Exam Due Tues Dec 16th
8:00 AM
Specific Classroom Policies:
1. Spend 80% of your time coding – not reading! You cannot learn a computer language by reading a book. SKIM the material in the book, watch the movies, and start on the assignment. Use the text as a reference and guide.
2. If you need to drop the class (hopefully no one will have to do so!) You must do it yourself online (I can help you find the link). The last day to drop this class without an F grade for fall semester is Wednesday October 29th.
3. There will be Zoom online session for every module. There will be good information during these --- and it is highly suggested that you listen to the recording of them.
4. Keep up with the Discord discussion forums since you are responsible for clarifications posted there (hopefully---there will not be too many of them…)
5. I will be grading all submissions right after the due date of that module, even if you submit early. It is critical that you make your final submission through Canvas only!
6. As you are working through the material and have questions, you have many options for getting your questions answered. If the question is about a general concept or topic where you would like to see more examples, submit this through the Discord discussion forum. Do not post large chunks of your code there. If you want me to look at your specific problems (that is what I am here for!) jar up your file (include ONLY those files needed to make the program where your questions are run!!!) and send it through email to the address above. Make certain to explain the problem in the text of the email. I will response VERY quickly to both types of postings. Aso make use of the tutors and our Tuesday night optional sessions for questions.
7. We will have tutors that can help. Details during class.
8. Start early on each module if you can. I am very receptive to helping all I can, especially early in the module sequence. However- on the few days before the due date, I may not be able to answer as quickly due to high traffic.
9. PLEASE CHECK THE PORTAL RIGHT AFTER THE DUE DATE FOR YOUR GRADE!!! Open up the assignment and you will see my comments. If you have omitted something or misunderstood an instruction, I may put comments here and let you make changes with no penalty for the first module and a five- point penalty after that. I will not be looking at your submissions until the due date, no matter how early you submit. You cannot resubmit and correct normal errors. I am only allowing resubmissions if you (for instance) include the .class files instead of the .javas, etc. You will have the 24 hours to get it back in with changes. If you do not see my comments within this time, you will not be allowed to resubmit.
10. I also want to improve this course for future semester offerings. For 5 points each module (required), use the textbox on the laboratory submission to give me comments about the module. Please include positive comments as well as constructive suggested changes for each module. Noted typos or suggested rewording would be appreciated. And please include an approximate number of hours spent totally (reading, writing, coding) for the module so I can judge the assignment requirements. I appreciate your help in this matter.
Academic Integrity – I expect every one of you to abide by this!!
I understand that Virginia Western Community College fosters a culture of academic integrity and respect and that this integrity is the foundation of our academic system. As a member of this academic community, I pledge to support this culture. I affirm that I will not give or receive any unauthorized assistance, and that all work will be my own. I further affirm that I understand that if I have knowledge of academic misconduct, I am obligated to notify my instructor.
This means no help from colleagues, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, the Internet (you can google the meaning of something but cannot google 'find lowest value of an ArrayList in Java' --- or look for code at locations like Code Academy, etc.). This means no help at all from AI tools. If you need more resources, movies, ideas, suggestions from me, please let me know.
See below for information on what is allowed.
First offense = report to Maxient - zero for the
assignment
Second Offense = F for the class
Utilization of Gen AI Tools
No Gen AI Usage Permitted: For the duration of this course, the use of Gen AI in assignments is strictly prohibited. Assignments are opportunities for personal growth, critical thinking, and applying your acquired knowledge. Your individual effort and creativity are essential in demonstrating your understanding of the course material. Dependence on AI undermines these objectives and compromises the integrity of the learning process. We appreciate your commitment to academic honesty and dedication to upholding the course’s principles by refraining from using Gen AI in your assignments. Usage of AI will result in academic consequences.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Students will be expected to follow the Gen AI Notification for the class.
Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another student to do so.
Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating which consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material so used as one's own work. Student’s submissions will be tested for Plagiarism. Plagiarism can include submitting a paper or computer program written by someone else as your own; written by means of inappropriate collaboration; written by you for another course, submitted without the permission of both instructors; failing to cite words, programs or ideas that are not yours originally.
In this course, penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an F for the course, to expulsion from the college.
Plagiarism DOES include using programming code that you find on the Internet in your program. Plagiarism DOES include code written by a tutor (even if you typed the code), written by another student or written by anyone other than yourself. Plagiarism does include code written by Gen AI that does not follow the listed notification for the class.
Campus Safety
Evacuation procedures: Posted near each classroom entry. To report an
emergency, call 911 or Campus security at 857-7979.
The college has created a campus safety video that each student is required to view. A link to this “Critical Safety Video” is located on one of the links under Syllabus on our Canvas course.
Students are encouraged to register for VW Alert Text Messaging System. To register for the text alerts, go to https://alert.virginiawestern.edu.
Suggestions for Progressing Through a Module
1. Download the appropriate jar file from the lab assignment. It will always be named itp120modx_24_25.jar where x is the module number. Import the jar file into Eclipse.
2. Go to the syllabus and see what chapters the module covers. Skim/read those chapters and watch the power point movies. Do not spend a lot of reading. But as you skim, look at the examples from the text (they will always be found in the jar file downloaded above in packages named after the associated chapters).
3. Get the lab instructions from the assignment in Canvas. It will always be named ITP120Labx_Canvas24_25.doc where x is the module number. Work on these. Refer to your text as needed.
4. See if there are auxiliary readings and if so, download them and look them over.
5. Finish the lab and return the assignment back to me with the completed jar file.
6. Remember to include your comments about the assignment in the textbox.
Jar File Instructions
1. Assignments will be turned in as jar files (similar to zip files). The instructions will indicate how to create these.
2. Jar files must have the .java files in it (after you jar the file, open it up in an unzipping software and verify this).
3. Jar files must have only the programs that make the programs that are listed at the bottom of the lab instructions run (delete any that were just my examples). In some cases you will delete entire extra packages that have just my examples in them.
4. Make certain there are no stray import statements (to test this, create a new project and re-import your jar file and see if it runs).
5. Jar files must have the name of both the package and the actual jar file changed. For example, if your name is Mike Miller, you will need to change the package name to mmilermod3 and send it to me as mmilermod3.jar.