Senate Document Number 1800S

Date of Senate Approval 2/10/00

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document 13: Introduction of Formal Laboratory Section in CSCI 202

Effective Date: Fall 2000

Delete:
On pg 86
Present course description of CSCI 202:

CSCI 202 Introduction to Data Structures (3)
Data structures (lists, stacks, queues, and trees); searching and sorting algorithms; use of a modern, block-structured programming language (ACM CS2). Prerequisite: CSCI 201. Fall and Spring.

Add:
On pg 86
New course description of CSCI 202:

CSCI 202 Introduction to Data Structures (3)
Data structures (lists, stacks, queues, and trees); searching and sorting algorithms; use of a modern, object-oriented programming language (ACM CS2). Includes a formal laboratory section using program development tools. Prerequisite: CSCI 201. Fall and Spring.

Impact:
The earlier addition of a formal laboratory in CSCI 201 has improved retention in this first programming course, and we expect a laboratory section in CSCI 202 will have a similar effect. Since CSCI 202 will remain a 3-credit hour course, there will be a minor scheduling impact: there will now be two lectures per week, plus a laboratory section lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes. This arrangement is identical to that for CSCI 201, which has worked out well to date.

Apart from NCSU Engineering programs on campus, no other UNCA departments will be affected. No additional staffing or facilities are anticipated.

Rationale:
The most frequent complaints voiced by our students regarding the quality of instruction in CSCI 202 concern the lack of a formal laboratory section. Based on their experience in CSCI 201, the students themselves recognize the potential benefits of a laboratory component.