Fundamentals of Computer Programming

CS 101 (3 Units)

Overview This course introduces students to the field of computer science

and engineering. An overview of the disciplines within computer
science such as networks, AI, robotics, graphics, and computer
architecture will be integrated throughout the course. Starting
from first principles of computer organization, students will receive
a foundation in programming focusing on C/C++. Fundamental
programming concepts along with current issues such as
parallelism and embedded systems will be covered through
relevant programming projects. The course will culminate in a
comprehensive programming assignment and/or a team-based
robotics project that integrates the concepts taught in the course.
A lecture/lab course format will be employed to provide hands-on
experience and active learning techniques.

Learning Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

Objectives 1. Define and discuss the disciplines of computer science with
the intention of choosing future courses that are applicable
to the student’s personal learning goals.
2. Understand the key hardware components in a modern
computer system and how software is mapped to the HW.
3. Use a computer to solve problems by developing simple
algorithms and then implement them using a specific
programming language
4. Implement key algorithms within the field
5. Understand and determine the computational complexity of
simple algorithms
6. Write computer programs using conditional and iterative
structures, functional decomposition, and basic
parallelization techniques
7. Select an appropriate basic data structure (e.g. arrays) and
access methods (e.g. pointers)
8. Understand basic object-oriented principles.
9. Design non-trivial embedded software to control a robot to
navigate and interact within a controlled environment.

Prerequisite None.

Lecture M,W 12:00-1:50 p.m. in RTH 105

Discussion TBA
 Textbook C++ Programming: Program Design Including Data Structures, 6th
Info Ed. D.S. Malik, Course Technology, 2011 (ISBN 978-1133526322)

Instructor Professor Mark Redekopp

Info Office: EEB-222, Phone: (213) 740-6006
E-mail: redekopp@usc.edu
Office Hours: M,W: 10-11:30, 2-3 and T: 11-12

TA & Grader Ali Khodaei (khodaei@usc.edu)

Info: Grader: TBA

Grading The following point structure will be used in determining the grade
for the course. Final grade will be based upon the total points
received, the highest total in the class, and the average of the class.
Participation & Activities 10%
Programming Assignments 30%
Midterm Exam 25%
Robotics Project + Report 10%
Final Exam 25%

Participation Unlike some traditional classroom settings where the instructor talks
& Activities and students listen, we will attempt to create a classroom
environment where the instructor facilitates active student
participation in their own learning process. Students are expected
to set their own learning goals (i.e. be curious) and then actively
pursue those goals both in and out of the classroom through
personal study, programming, and in-class activities. Simply
showing up to class is not enough; come to class ready to think, ask
questions, and work with your fellow students.

Small in-class and out-of-class activities (both individual and group-

based) will be provided to help facilitate achievement of learning
goals. Activities will be graded on a scale of 0-4 as follows:
 4 = Excellent = Demonstrates deep understanding through
use of relevant concepts, consideration/analysis of possible
improvements, and awareness of the limitations of your
solution as well as a high-degree of effort in the presentation
and documentation of your solution
 3 = Good = Demonstrates sufficient understanding through
the use of relevant concepts to solve the problem. May
indicate only moderate effort in the presentation and
documentation.
 2 = Novice = Important relevant concepts were ignored or
used improperly. Moderate effort was made in the
presentation and documentation.
 1 = Unsatisfactory = Solution was poorly developed and
ignored relevant concepts as well as any analysis of the

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 solution’s capability, improvement, or limitation. Low-effort
was made in the presentation and documentation of the
solution
 0 = Incomplete
Students may miss 2 activities due to sickness or absence without
penalty.
Programming Programming assignments are larger more comprehensive
Assignments assignments that should challenge you to integrate several
programming concepts. They are to be completed individually
unless otherwise noted. (A few group assignments may be
scattered throughout the semester). A separate document will be
provided listing the expectation for the submission, style, and
documentation of programming assignments as well as rubrics for
how assignments will be graded. Copying (and then modification) of
any portion of code from Internet sources or fellow students is
prohibited unless cleared with the instructor. See the Statement on
Academic Integrity.

Robotics Students will work in groups of two to complete a robotics project

Project and related to sensing and navigation. Project and report guidelines will
Report be provided at the appropriate time.

Policies Statement for Students with Disabilities

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a
disability is required to register with Disability Services and
Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the
letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as
possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00
p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213)
740-0776.
Statement on Academic Integrity
USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General
principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the
intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work
will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the
obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by
others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All
students are expected to understand and abide by these principles.
Scampus, the Student Guidebook, contains the Student Conduct
Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are
located in Appendix A:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/gov/. Students will
be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community
Standards for further review, should there be any suspicion of
academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at:
http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/.

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 Introduction to Programming for Computer Scientists
CSCI 101 (3 Units)
Course Outline
(All Programming Assignments [PA’s] listed indicate the date assigned)
Week 1 – Overview of Computer Science and Computer Organization
- Introduction to the CS and CECS curriculum and field
- Basic Computer Organization, Program Execution, Data Storage/Representation
Activity: Programming Environment and Tools + First Program: Learn basics of
programming environment, understand the concept of compiled program, text
editors, debuggers, etc.
Reading: Chapter 1

Week 2 – Basic Program Design and Abstractions + Programming Environment

- Program structure + Simple I/O
- Algorithms, Big-O notation and complexity
Activity: Compiler and Run-Time Errors
Activity: Algorithms and time complexity exercise + Research algorithms in a
chosen area of interest
Reading: Chapter 2 and 3

Week 3 – Algorithmic Thinking and C Control Structures

- Conditional and Iterative Statements
Activity: Develop play rules for a game-
PA1: Students will program a simulation of random process and understand how
to use iterative and conditional structures in the process.
Reading: Chapter 4 and 5

Week 4 – Program Decomposition and Functions

- Functions
Activity: Write the program that implements a linear as well as a binary search of
an integer array
PA2: Develop a program for a simple game. Decompose the problem into
tasks/functions.
Reading: Chapter 6

Week 5 – 1-D Arrays, Pointers, Dynamic Memory Allocation, and C Strings

- Dynamic memory allocation
PA3: String Manipulation: Students will design a program to perform string
matching of certain patterns that require students to understand array operations
and strings.
Reading: Chapter 9 and 13a

Week 6 – 2-D Arrays and File I/O

- 2D Arrays and File I/O
Activity: Implement string search using a DFA approach and measure
improvement
PA4: Chroma Key (Green-screen) Image Processing: Students will perform the
green-screen operation on a set of images requiring them to access and
manipulate 2D arrays and File I/O operations.
Reading: Chapter 9 and 13a

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Week 7 – Parallel Programming Techniques
- Threads & OpenMP
Activity: Parallelize string search
PA5: Parallelizing Matrix Operations – Students will parallelize data independent
matrix operations such as the green screening or other image manipulations.
Reading: Class Notes
** MIDTERM **
Week 8 – More Parallel Program and Introduction to Objects & ADT’s
- Basic Synchronization (Locks, Condition Variables)
- Structs
Activity: Parallelize Monte-Carlo simulation
Reading: Chapter 10 and 11

Week 9 –Classes
- Classes
Activity: Linked List Implementation
PA6: Social network modeling
Reading: Chapter 13b and 17

Week 10 – Data Structures and STL

- Vectors & Deques
Reading: Chapter 14 and 22

Week 11 – Selected Algorithms & CS Disciplines

- Graphs and Traversal Algorithms
PA7: Implement an algorithm of choice on your social network
Reading: Chapter 21

Week 12 – Introduction to Embedded Systems and Robotics

- Programming the robot (Language differences)
- I/O
- Robotics Project Intro
Activity: Robot Motion – Students will program their robot to perform specific
maneuvers

Week 13 – Robot Project 1

- Sensors
Activity: Robot Sensing – Students will program their robot to use sonars, IR
sensors, and photosensors to navigate their robot

Week 14 – Robot Project 2

- Guest Lectures + Open Lab for Project
Project: Robot Obstacle Course and/or Collaborative Team Maneuvers

Week 15 – Robot Project 3

Project Due/Demo Day

** Final – December 10th at 11 a.m.**

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