INST326: Object Oriented Programming 🐍💻😍

Name: Ed Summers
Email: edsu@umd.edu

Name: Risahb Nainani
Email: rishabh.nainani@marylandsmith.umd.edu

This course is an introduction to programming, emphasizing understanding and implementation of applications using object-oriented techniques. Topics to be covered include program design and testing as well as implementation of programs. Prerequisite: (must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in INST201; or INST301); and (INST126; or CMSC106; or CMSC122). Or permission of instructor.

This course covers (1) the core features of the Python programming language, (2) using programs to collect, process, and analyze data, and (3) object-oriented programming. Object-oriented programs are built as collections of “objects”, which are software representations of real-world entities and concepts. Objects combine data (attributes) with functionality (methods), and work through communicating with each other as the code is executed. By encapsulating code complexity within objects, OOP allows use and reuse of existing code in a relatively simple and easy manner. Advanced OOP concepts such as inheritance facilitate development of complex code without sacrificing robustness and possibility of code reuse. We apply computational thinking approaches such as abstraction, decomposition, algorithmic design, generalization, evaluation, and debugging.

This course also provides opportunities to develop an understanding of how computer software is situated in society and reflects broader social structures, constructs and issues, such race, class and gender. Programming is often viewed as a value-neutral technical skill. However, the social and cultural impacts of information and technology are central concepts in the field of information studies. Growing awareness of issues like algorithmic bias, ethical/unethical uses of algorithms and disparities in opportunities in tech jobs require that any informed professional needs to understand the larger context of programming.

After finishing this course, students will be able to:

This course assumes a basic understanding of procedural programming, and begins with a comprehensive review of Python fundamentals—including data types, variables, loops, and conditionals—that is designed to deepen your mastery of these concepts. The first part of the course will be an opportunity to consolidate and extend what was covered in INST126. The later parts of the course will cover certain topics in program design and programming best practices (documentation, testing, etc.) that are a necessary part of producing complex, reliable, and maintainable applications.

The course is divided into weekly modes, and will follow this pattern:

Here are some suggestions for working on assignments:

This course will make extensive use of the following book and website, which was also used in INST126:

Additional readings will be distributed through Canvas.

Please note that we will install all necessary environments together in class during the first week.

Given the complexity of life during the Coronavirus pandemic the course is structured to be very predictable The grading for the class is simple, every week there is a 10 point assignment. There are

COVID-19 is altering everyone’s life right now. If you believe you require special accommodations due to the way the pandemic has impacted your particular life situation, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can discuss how best to meet your particular needs.

In the unfortunate event that you experience COVID-like symptoms that prevent you from participating in the course, I expect you to let me know as soon as possible. After you have recovered, I will work with you on a plan to complete the work you missed.

The essential purpose of the university’s undergraduate course policies is to enable all of us to fully participate in an equitable, accessible and safe academic environment so that we each can be challenged to learn and contribute most effectively. They address issues such as academic integrity, codes of conduct, discrimination, accessibility, learning accommodations, etc. We are all responsible for following the policies at http://www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html (Links to an external site.). You must read them and send me any questions by the first week of classes.

In academia and in computer programming, building on the work of others is often acceptable and encouraged. In this class, there will be some situations in which it may be appropriate to build on other people’s work. For example:

In this class, the following principles govern the ethical use of other people’s work:

You are expected to complete all course work (homework, quizzes, midterms, reflections, etc.) on your own unless my written instructions on a particular task indicate otherwise. You may not discuss exams or midterms with anyone other than the instructor until the deadline for submitting the exam or midterm has passed for all participants in the discussion (remember, due to personal circumstances, some students may have a different deadline than you). You may work on exercises with one partner unless otherwise specified; both partners must be engaged in the coding process. You may discuss homework with other students; this includes explaining underlying concepts, assisting a fellow student in debugging (without supplying your own code to that student), and discussing algorithms. If you collaborated with one or more fellow students in one of the ways described above, your code must include a comment describing the collaboration and citing all collaborators. Please note: under no circumstances are you allowed to copy/paste, retype, or work off of, or possess a partial or complete copy of someone else’s solution to an assignment unless the assignment instructions include explicit written instructions to the contrary.

UMD students are required to abide by the student honor pledge: I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination. You will be asked to complete the honor pledge as part of each assignment, quiz, and test in this class.

Suspected cases of cheating, plagiarism, or other academic integrity violations will be referred to the Honor Council.

The following table shows the most current version of the planned schedule. The course content can be roughly divided into three interrelated units:

Part 1: Fundamentals

Part 2: Object-Oriented Programming

Part 3: Working with OOP