Lecture notes for the Introduction to Computer Science I by James Tam Return to the course web page

Course information for CPSC 231

Course information sheet

Course texts (recommended only)

  • Pascal Programming & Problem Solving, 4th Edition, Leestma/Nyhoff (Prentice Hall)
  • A Practical Guide to Solaris, Sobell (Addison-Wesley)
  • (A good alternative) Harley Hahn's Student Guide to Unix, Hahn (McGraw-Hill)

Course evaluation

     Component Weight
     Assignments 40%
     Midterm 25%
     Final exam 35%

   

Example calculation for the assignment component

  Letter grade GPA Weighted value = GPA * Weight
Assignment 1 A 4 4 * 1% = 0.04
Assignment 2 A 4 4 * 3% = 0.12
Assignment 3 A- 3.7 3.7 * 1%= 0.037
Assignment 4 A 4 4 * 3% = 0.12
Assignment 5 B+ 3.3 4.3 * 3% = 0.129
Assignment 6 B 3 3 * 5% = 0.15
Assignment 7 C+ 2.3 2.3 * 8% = 0.184
Assignment 8 C+ 2.3 2.3 * 8% = 0.184
Assignment 9 D 1.0 1.0 * 8% = 0.08
Assignment subtotal =   0.04 + 0.12 + 0.037 + 0.12 + 0.129 + 0.15 + 0.184 + 0.184 + 0.08 = 1.044

 

Example calculation for the exam component

Letter grade GPA Weighted value = GPA * Weight
Midterm A- 3.7 3.7 * 25% = 0.925
Final B+ 3.3 3.3 * 35% = 1.155
Exam subtotal = 0.925 +  1.155 = 2.08

 

Example calculation for the overall letter grade

Assignment subtotal   1.044
Exam subtotal +2.08
Final letter grade   3.124 (=B)

 

GPA cutoffs for determining the overall term grade:

Letter  GPA range
A+ 4.3 <= overall GPA >= 4.15
A 4.15 > overall GPA >= 3.85
A- 3.85 > overall GPA >= 3.5
B+ 3.5 > overall GPA >= 3.15
B 3.15 > overall GPA >= 2.85
B- 2.85 > overall GPA >= 2.5
C+ 2.5 > overall GPA >= 2.15
C 2.15 > overall GPA >= 1.85
C- 1.85 > overall GPA >= 1.5
D+ 1.5 > overall GPA >= 1.15
D 1.15 > overall GPA >= 0.75
F 0.75 < overall GPA

Note:  You must pass the examination component of the course (Midterm and Final) to receive a C- or higher for your term grade.