In this course, you will learn the principles of "agile software development." In order that you can gain experience applying those principles to a concrete project as part of a team, you will also learn about one specific development environment or "platform." This year we will use Android as the example platform. The portion of the course prior to spring break will introduce these topics (agile development for Android) and the portion after the break will be project work.
This course should help students achieve at least three of the five Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) the department has established for the Computer Science major:
SLO CS 1: Develop a precise specification of an algorithmic means of addressing a domain use case, that is, a way the software would be used expressed from the users' perspective.
SLO CS 4: Work effectively, both individually and in teams.
SLO CS 5: Communicate information effectively, both to those in the discipline and those not familiar with the discipline.
I have regularly scheduled office hours MTRF 2:00-3:00pm. I also welcome visitors to my office (OHS 306) on a drop-in basis as well as by appointment. You may send me electronic mail at sskulrat@gustavus.edu.
All course materials will be available through my World Wide Web page. The URL for this course is http://www.gustavus.edu/~sskulrat/Courses/2018S-270/index.html.
We will be using two books in this course, one covering development methodology and the other covering the specific development platform we'll be using as an example:
Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide, 3nd Edition, Kristin Marsicano, Chris Stewart, and Bill Phillips, Big Nerd Ranch Guides, 2017.
Head First Software Development, by Dan Pilone and Russ Miles, O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2008.
The first book is required and the second one optional.
Students are encouraged to discuss the course, including issues raised by the assignments. However, the solutions to assignments should be individual original work unless otherwise specified. If an assignment makes you realize you don't understand the material, ask a fellow student a question designed to improve your understanding, not one designed to get the assignment done. To do otherwise is to cheat yourself out of understanding as well as to be intolerably dishonorable.
Any substantive contribution to your solution by another person or taken from a publication should be properly acknowledged in writing. Failure to do so is plagiarism and will necessitate disciplinary action.
The same standards regarding plagiarism apply to team projects as to the work of individuals, except that the author is now the entire team rather than an individual. Anything taken from a source outside the team should be be properly cited.
One additional issue that arises from the team authorship of project reports is that all team members must stand behind all reports bearing their names. All team members have quality assurance responsibility for the entire project. If there is irreconcilable disagreement within the team it is necessary to indicate as much in the report.
You are expected to be familiar with the college academic honesty honor code policy and to comply with that policy. If you have any questions about it, please ask.
Late assignments will be penalized by one grade point for each day late or fraction thereof. No assignments will be accepted after the last class day of the semester except under special circumstances.
If you are too sick to complete an assignment on time, you will not be penalized. Simply notify me in writing that the lateness is due to illness. Other circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Please point out any arithmetic or clerical error I make in grading, and I will gladly fix it. You may also request reconsideration if I have been especially unjust.
Each of the 7 weeks before spring break you can earn up to 7 grade points by completing one or more expected challenges. During that portion of the semester, you'll also have 7 opportunities to earn up to 3 extra-credit points by completing additional challenges. After the spring break you can earn up to 6 grade points through a particular expectation I've established for the first week and then a total of 45 more grade points through your work on a project: 15 for each of 3 project iterations. Thus, in total you can earn up to 100 grade points without doing any extra-credit challenges and up to 121 if you take all the opportunities for extra credit. Your total number of points will be converted to a course grade as follows:
| Points | Grade |
|---|---|
| 93-121 | A |
| 90-92 | A- |
| 87-89 | B+ |
| 83-86 | B |
| 80-82 | B- |
| 77-79 | C+ |
| 73-76 | C |
| 70-72 | C- |
| 67-69 | D+ |
| 60-66 | D |
| 0-59 | F |
Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability, or you think you may have a disability of any nature (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical) and, as a result, need reasonable academic accommodation to participate in class, take tests or benefit from the College's services, then you should speak with the Accessibility Resources staff, for a confidential discussion of your needs and appropriate plans. Course requirements cannot be waived, but reasonable accommodations may be provided based on disability documentation and course outcomes. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively; therefore, to maximize your academic success at Gustavus, please contact Accessibility Resources as early as possible. Accessibility Resources (https://gustavus.edu/care/accessibility/) is located in the Center for Academic Resources and Enhancement. Accessibility Resources Coordinator, Kelly Karstad, (kkarstad@gustavus.edu or x7138), can provide further information.
Support for English learners and multilingual students is available through the Center for International and Cultural Education's (https://gustavus.edu/cice/) Multilingual and Intercultural Program Coordinator (MIPC), Carly Overfelt (coverfel@gustavus.edu). The MIPC can meet individually with students for tutoring in writing, consulting about academic tasks, and helping students connect with the College's support systems. When requested, the MIPC can consult with faculty regarding effective classroom strategies for English learners and multilingual students. If requested, the MIPC can provide students with a letter to a professor that explains and supports appropriate academic arrangements (e.g., additional time on tests, additional revisions for papers). Professors make decisions based on those recommendations at their own discretion. In addition, English learners and multilingual students can seek help from peer tutors in the Writing Center (https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/).
The Gustavus community is committed to and cares about all students. Strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol or drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating, and/or lack of motivation may affect a student's academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. If you or someone you know expresses such mental health concerns or experiences a stressful event that can create barriers to learning, Gustavus services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential health services available on campus at https://gustavus.edu/counseling/ and https://gustavus.edu/deanofstudents/services/.
Gustavus Adolphus College recognizes the dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As such, we are committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination including sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing these types of behaviors, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available; you can learn more online at https://gustavus.edu/titleix/.
Please know that if you choose to confide in me, I am mandated by the College to report to the Title IX Coordinator, because Gustavus and I want to be sure you are connected with all the support the College can offer. Although it is encouraged, you are not required to respond to outreach from the College if you do not want to. You may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART/CADA), Chaplains, Counseling Center, or Health Service staff; conversations with these individuals can be kept strictly confidential. SART/CADA can be reached 24 hours a day at 507-933-6868. You can also make a report yourself, including an anonymous report, through the form at https://gustavus.edu/titleix/.
You can always get help with your research at the library. Reference librarians will help you find information on a topic, develop search strategies for papers and projects, search library catalogs and databases, and provide assistance at every step. Drop-ins and appointments are both welcome. Visit https://gustavus.edu/library/reference_question.php for hours, location, and more information.