COURSE CONTENTS, SPRING SEMESTER, 2002

The topics will be as follows:

• Modern Engineering Computations (1 week). How has computing changed over the past 20 years? How are computers and computer technologies changing the way engineering companies conduct their day-to-day business? Where is the next generation of the web headed?
  
  Basic concepts of computing (e.g., hardware components in a simple computer, applications software, operating systems, high and low level computer languages) and computer networks (e.g., the Internet and WWW).

• Introduction to Java Programming (6 weeks). What is Java? How does it work? How to write, compile and run a simple Java program. The Java language, including variables, constants, and data types, program control (i.e., branching and looping constructs), Classes, objects and packages.

  Standalone Java programs and Java applet programs. Java development environments (JDK). Introduction to the Java Foundation Classes, including Java Swing and Java 2d.

• Programming with Java and XML (4 weeks). What is XML? Writing programs with SAX and DOM parsers.

All students will develop a home page on the Web. Students will write Java computer programs to solve a family of progressively difficult engineering problems within their engineering discipline.

New! In the Spring Semester 2002, all of the class projects will explore applications of Java and eXtended Markup Language (XML) technology.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• COURSE PREREQUISITES
  
  
  • Permission of instructor.
  • A basic knowledge of computing. We will assume, for example, that you know what an operating system is, what a programming language is, what a network is, and what a compiler does. Pointers to catch-up reading will be given in the first lecture.
  • Senior level status in either Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Graduate student status in Systems Engineering (i.e., MSSE or ENPM programs).

• TIME AND LOCATION OF CLASS/OFFICE HOURS
  
  
  • Class : T,Th, 9.30 am - 10.45 am, Room 0110, Martin Hall .
  • Office Hours : By appointment.

• TEXTS AND COURSE NOTES

  The following texts and course notes are required:

  • Campione M., Walrath K., and Huml A., The Java Tutorial : A Short Course on the Basics, Addison Wesley, 2001. ISBN: 0-201-70393-9 (You can buy if for $42.95 on www.amazon.com ).
    
  • Handouts on future directions for the web, and programming in HTML and basic C. These handouts will be available from the Engineering Copy Center in early February, 2002.

  We will also need a text that covers XML and Java. One possibility is:

  • Deitel and Deitel, XML : How to Program (2nd Edition), Prentice Hall, 2002. ISBN: 0-13-067396-X. (This book is scheduled for publication, February, 2002).

  Click here for a library a simple programs demonstrating Java Swing and Java 2d. The class TA has created a Tutorial on using threads in Java .

  Click here for an introduction to programming in Java and XML.

• EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
  
  
  • Midterm 1 (25%) : March 21. The midterm will be open book.
  • Midterm 2 (25%) : April 25. The midterm will be open book.
  • Final (35%) : May 21, 2002, 1.30-3.30pm. The exam will cover Java and XML and will be open book.

There will be no midterm or final make-up exams. Students may drop the lower of the midterm scores. Bi-weekly programming assignments, the Java and XML programming project, and your home page on the Web will account for 40% of the grade.

Developed in July 1998 by Mark Austin
Copyright © 1998-2002, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Maryland