CSCI 1470.3 Computer Science I
Fall 2025
General Information and Course Policies

1. General Information

26943 CSCI 1470.3 Computer Science I MW 1:00PM to 1:50PM Delta 202

This is a first course in computer science for CS, CIS, and other students.

1.1 Instructor

Dr. Kwok-Bun Yue, Professor of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, Chair, Data Science
Delta 163, 281-283-3864, yue at uhcl.edu; URL: http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue/

My regular office hour will be held o8/18/2025 to 11/24/2025: MW 11:20AM to 11:50AM, 2:50PM to 3:45PM. They will be conducted in person (Delta 163) and upon request, via Zoom meeting: 616 099 762. You can schedule a meeting with me outside my office hours by sending an email to me: yue @ uhcl dot edu. You are encouraged to communicate your questions with me through email. I usually respond quick.

1.2 Teaching Assistant

Sulegama, Sai Bhavana 

For regular correspondence with the TA, send it to UHCL Email Id: sulegama@uhcl.edu. Set up the UHCL spam filter server for your UHCL account to accept this email address as an approved sender. Otherwise, your email may be quarantined by the spam filter server. If you want me to be aware of any particular communications with the TA, you may copy the email to me.

Tentative TA Office hours: TBD

The TA will be stationed in the Delta Lab during his office hours. You may also request Zoom for TA: TBD

1.3 Needed Resources and Other Useful Information

• Like many CSCI courses, students need to have a computer system for assignments, such as a well equipped laptop and a printer.
• UHCL emergency hot line (to check weather related closing, for example): 281-283-2221.

1.4 Textbooks (Mandatory)

We will be using an interactive textbook from zyBooks this semester. Here is a video that explains more about “What is a zyBook?” https://vimeo.com/285133146/48bc90afb5 You can purchase this book from the bookstore or you can purchase it directly from zyBooks by following these steps: Li

1. Sign in or create an account at learn.zybooks.com
2. Enter zyBook code: UHCLCSCI1470YueFall2025
3. Subscribe

zyBook: CSCI 1470: Computer Science I
zyBook code: UHCLCSCI1470YueFall2025
zyBook ISBN:979-8-203-02909-6
Cost: $89

1.5 Course Description

From Catalog: Introduction to computer programming using Python. Topics include design tools (flowcharts, pseudocode) control flow statements (if, while, for), simple arithmetic expressions, input and output statements, functions, data structures including strings and lists, text files. Introduction to software development lifecycle and testing. The course is programming intensive with in-class assignments and weekly homework and a final project. Introduction to Arduino and number systems.

Prerequisites: MATH 1314 College Algebra, or higher.

1.6 Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

1.7.1 Related Program SLO (ABET):

Computer Science (CS):

• CS 1.1. Effectively solve computing problems using a high-level programming language.
• CS 2.2. Understand the basic software engineering activities that take place throughout the software lifecycle.

Computer Information Systems (CIS):

• CIS 1.3 Effectively solve computing problems using a high-level programming language.

1.7.2 Course SLO:

After completing the course, the students are expected to be able to

1. clearly describe the purpose of basic datatypes.
2. understand and apply relevant decision making concepts by utilizing information gleaned from basic programming problems in order to accurately create solutions to the problems.
3. understand and apply relevant looping concepts by utilizing information gleaned from basic programming problems in order to accurately create solutions to the problems.
4. clearly describe the purpose of functions and to accurately create solutions using functions to basic programming problems.
5. clearly describe the purpose of lists and to accurately use them in the course by creating solutions to basic programming problems.
6. understand and apply relevant string manipulation techniques to accurately create solutions to basic programming problems.
7. create solutions to basic programming problems using relevant text file handling.
8. use binary and hexadecimal number systems.
9. write secure programs (Using Input Validation).

1.7 Prerequisites

The following courses or their equivalent are required:

• MATH 1314 College Algebra, or higher.

Languages: The course focuses on the Python programming language.

1.9 Course Format

Traditional lectures, laboratory, homework and programming assignments.

2. Course Policies and Guidelines

Please see: http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue/course_policy.html

3. Grading Policy

Grades will be assigned based solely on homework and examination scores. No other factors will be considered. In particular, students have requested me to reconsider their grades using the following reasons in the past:

1. Expected a higher grade
2. Good course participation
3. Good improvement during the semester; better final grades than mid-term grades
4. Have put in extra efforts
5. Need to avoid probation
6. Financial needs
7. Loss of scholarship
8. Loss of job opportunity
9. Loss of practical training opportunity
10. Avoid probation; avoid suspension
11. Need to graduate
12. Company relocation
13. Immigration status needs
14. Family needs
15. Sickness during the semester
16. and many others.

These requests had all been declined politely but firmly in the past.

There will also be no 'special project' that you can work on to improve your grades after the final examination. Anything I offer to one student will be offered to the entire class.

The total score is computed using the following percentages: TBD

Homework Assignments: 20%
Zybook activities: 15% [including PA (Participation Activities), CA (Challenging Activities), Labs, etc.]
Mid-term Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 35%

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw: November 3, 2025 (Monday)

Grade Assignment Table