Syllabus - CISC-179
Syllabus - CISC-179
Intro to Python Programming
Instructor: Hobson Lane
Contact info: Contact Hobson Lane in Canvas Inbox
Course of Record Number (CRN): 11081
Description
This is an 8 week introductory course in Python programming where you will learn the fundamentals of the Python programming language and how to design, debug and test computer programs.
You will learn how to:
- Design Python applications including interactive games
- Write functions to accomplish tasks or transform data
- Programmatically read and write data files with Python
- Test and debug your Python programs
- Document Python programs using “doctests”
- Process natural language text chat messages in Python
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
As a minimum, you will achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Understand from a Python perspective the control of program flow based on the conditional evaluation of a Boolean expression.
- Use Python to provide an if…else structure as a solution to a software problem.
- Understand from a Python perspective the control of program flow with a looping structure.
- Use Python to provide a looping structure as a solution to a software problem.
Communication Policy
- An announcement will be posted each week
- You will receive Canvas Inbox and e-mail messages with feedback on programming (project) assignments
- You will receive a reply to your Canvas Inbox messages within a 24 hours
- You will receive weekly feedback on your grade within a week of that week’s assignment deadlines
- E-mails to dlane@sdccd.edu may take more than 24 hours to receive a reply, due to E-mail spam
Important dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2025-08-25 | 1st 8-Wk: Session Begins |
| 2025-08-30 | Refund Date: Deadline to drop classes and be eligible for refund of Enrollment Fee and/or all applicable fees. |
| 2025-09-03 | 1st 8-Wk: Student Add: Deadline to add class with Permission Number and pay Enrollment Fee &/or all applicable fees. |
| 2025-09-01 | LABOR DAY (Campus Closed) |
| 2025-09-03 | 1st 8-Wk: Student Drop: Deadline to drop class with no "W" recorded. |
| 2025-09-04 | 1st 8-Wk: Instructor Drop/Census: All drops must be submitted by noon. |
| 2025-09-05 | Primary Add/Drop/Refund Deadline |
| 2025-09-08 | Instructor Census Drop Deadline - by NOON (Primary Session) |
| 2025-09-26 | 1st 8-Wk: Withdraw: Last day to withdraw from classes and receive a "W". No drops accepted after this date. Thereafter, a student must receive a letter grade. |
| 2025-10-18 | 1st 8-Wk: Session Ends |
| 2025-10-20 | 2nd 8-Wk: Session Begins |
| 2025-10-25 | 1st 8-Wk: Grades available. |
Prerequisites
If you remember how functions work from your High School Algebra class, you will have a head start learning Python.
AI
You are NOT allowed to copy any text or code from any outside source to complete your assignments in this course, except one, the Python Standard Libary on your computer. You will soon learn what this means and where to find the source code (Python programs) that come included when you install the Python programming language on your computer. This is the only cheating (copy-pasting of others’ programs) you are allowed to do on this course, and I will show you how to do it in this course. For questions about Python, programming, or using your computer feel free to use search engines which employ so-called AI. But you are NOT allowed to copy these answers directly into any of your assignments for this course.
You are NOT allowed to copy a fellow student’s code, nor text generated by AI, nor search engine results, nor any other software or text found elsewhere on the Internet.
In order to train your fingers and your mind to think and write in Python, you must learn the language as you would any other language, by practicing “speaking” (typing) it.
Grades
Your final grade will be the accumulated percentage points earned on reading assignments, quizzes, two programming project assignments and two exams.
Your letter grade is determined by your overall percent score in the course:
- A: 90% and above
- B: 80% and above
- C: 75% and above
- D: 70% and above
- F: below 70%
Your final grade will be the sum of all the percentage points you accumulate each week according to the following schedule:
| Week | Week Start | Due 10PM | Runestone | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025-08-25 | 2025-08-30 | Ch 1 & 2 | 5 | Writing your first programs |
| 2 | 2025-09-01 | 2025-09-06 | Ch 3 - 5 | 5 | Reading and debugging your code |
| 3 | 2025-09-08 | 2025-09-13 | Ch 6 - 8 | 5 | Sequences (`list`), looping (`for`), and conditions (`if`) |
| 4 | 2025-09-15 | 2025-09-20 | Midterm exam | 30 | Midterm exam and project |
| 5 | 2025-09-22 | 2025-09-27 | Ch 9 - 11 | 5 | Files and Dictionaries |
| 6 | 2025-09-29 | 2025-10-04 | Ch 12 & 13 | 5 | Functions and tuple packing and unpacking |
| 7 | 2025-10-06 | 2025-10-11 | Ch 14, 15 & 17 | 5 | Advanced functions, iteration, and data |
| 8 | 2025-10-13 | 2025-10-18 | Final exam | 40 | Final exam and final project |
And here are the percentage points for each type of assignment.
- 30%: 6 homework assignments (Runestone: 18%, Canvas: 12%)
- 15%: Midterm exam (Runestone)
- 15%: Midterm project (GitLab)
- 20%: Final exam (Runestone)
- 20%: Final project (GitLab)
Of the 5 points you earn for homework each week, 3 are for a Runestone interactive textbook assignment, and 2 are for the Canvas Quizzes. Also, some Runestone homework questions are tricky to answer correctly, so you will be given 100% on any Runestone homework assignment where you answer 70% or more of the questions correctly. And this score will be rounded up to 100% (1 point) if you get 70% or better. If you score below 70% on that Runestone homework you will receive the raw percentage score for that assignment.
For example if you receive 66% and 70% on two Runestone assignments, your 70% would be rounded up to 100%. If you received 100% on all other assignments, you would receive a total grade of 100% - 34% of 3% => 99% (A). If you also received an 80% on the midterm project, that would reduce your grade: 99% - 20% * 15% => 96% (A).
A large portion of your grade on both project assignments, described in the Rubric on those assignments, is how well you demonstrate your Python skill by making small, incremental, sensible improvements to your Python code in GitLab. If you type your programs by hand without any assistance from external resources (AI) you will do better on your programming assignments because it will demonstrate your understanding of the Python language.
Your Safety
Mesa and I are committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment where every student, regardless of immigration status, is supported in their educational journey. Your rights and responsibilities for student safety are described in BP 5500 We recognize that the current political climate may cause uncertainty and anxiety. You are a valued and essential part of our academic community and we are committed to protecting you. We encourage you to take full advantage of the resources available to you on campus, including but not limited to counseling, legal assistance, financial support, and more. The Dreamers Resource Center and other support networks on our campus are available to assist with any concerns you may have during this time. The entire San Diego Community College District is committed to providing a safe and equitable learning and working environment for all students and employees. SDCCD does not tolerate sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and any other sex-based or gender-based misconduct. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sex-based or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking or sexual exploitation, please visit sdccd.edu/students/TitleIX to access resources and support. Any incident committed on District property or at a District-sponsored event or activity may be reported directly to the Title IX Coordinator, who will determine the appropriate response and who may offer supportive measures, regardless of whether a formal complaint is submitted.
Title IX contact: Amber Eckert, aeckert@sdccd.edu, 619-388-6504.
Disability Services/Accommodations
There are no required activities that require strenuous physical activity and all course material will be designed to meet ADA requirements for accessibility, including ALT text provided for all images, for blind and low-vision students.
Academic Honesty/Conduct:
Your rights and responsibilities for academic honesty and conduct are described in BP 5500.