ECOR 1041

Computation and Programming

Winter 2024

Instructional Support Coordinator (ISC): Dr. Cristina Ruiz Martin (She/Her/Hers)

Section C: Dr. Kevin Goheen (He/His)
Section D: Dr. Lynn Marshall (She/Her/Hers)
Students’ hours and TA information are posted on Brightspace.
Questions about the engineering content of this course (“programming questions”) will
not be answered by email. To get help from your instructor or a TA, you should ask
questions:
• during lectures;
• during students’ hours (these are posted on Brightspace);
• during labs;
• by posting to the appropriate discussion forum on Brightspace.
All questions related to administrative matters must be sent to the Instructional Support
Coordinator: [email protected]. Questions sent directly to your lecture section
instructor, or a TA will be discarded (or receive a reply telling you to email the ISC). Your
email must be sent from your Carleton (cmail) email account. You will receive a reply from
either the ISC, a lecture section instructor, or a TA.

Calendar Description
Software development as an engineering discipline, using a modern programming
language. Language syntax and semantics. Tracing and visualizing program execution.
Program style and documentation. Testing and debugging tools and techniques. Binary
number system to represent data in a computer.
Lectures three hours per week, laboratories three hours per week.
http://calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/courses/ECOR/

Prerequisites
This course may not be taken concurrently with ESLA 1300 or ESLA 1500. Precludes
additional credit for COMP 1005, COMP 1405, ECOR 1051, ECOR 1606, SYSC 1005.
Prior Knowledge
No prior experience in computer programming is required. The only background we
assume is:
• language: reasonable proficiency in reading and writing English;
• math: understanding of integers and operations on integers; understanding of
functions as mappings from one set (the domain) to another set (the
codomain);
• logic: familiarity with logical and, or and not;
• computer literacy: ability to use email, browse the World Wide Web, and edit
textfiles.

Course Objectives
The objective of the course is to learn the fundamental concepts of computation and
procedural programming, using Python as the programming language. Students will gain
practical experience designing, coding, testing, and debugging small-scale Python
programs. By the end of the course, students will have developed a “mental model” of
computation and learned how to reason about and visualize the execution of program
code. The course also introduces students to the internal representation of numeric
values in computers, using the binary number system.

List of Topics
• Introduction to Python: using the Python shell as a calculator. Numeric types int
and float. Operations supported by numeric types. Construction and evaluation
of arithmetic expressions.
• The binary number system. Representation of integers and floating-point numbers
in binary. Limitations of real-number representation in binary.
• Variables and assignment. Using variables in expressions.
• Introduction to Python Tutor to help us visualize and understand the execution of
Python code.
• Using Python’s built-in functions (e.g., print, abs, pow, etc.). Importing functions
from modules.
• Defining functions. Passing arguments to and returning values from functions.
Using local variables in function definitions.
• Using a step-by-step recipe for designing functions: Function Design Recipe
(FDR).
• Using the Python shell to test functions interactively. Writing simple test scripts to
automate testing.
• Control flow and conditional execution: if, if-else, and if-elif-else
statements.
• Boolean values (type bool). Boolean operators. Relational operators.
• Control flow and loops (repetition): while and for statements.
 • Character strings (type str).
• Getting input from the user: the input function. Interactive programs. Try/Except.
• Lists of data (type list). Using a for loop to iterate over a list.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the operations supported by Python types int, float, str and list.
Evaluate Python expressions consisting of literal values, variables, and operators
without the aid of a Python interpreter.
2. Design and implement functions and interactive programs that satisfy given
specifications. The code must demonstrate the proper use of the following
fundamental constructs for controlling program execution: (1) sequential execution as
determined by the order of executable statements; (2) selection (if, if-else and
if-elif-else statements); (3) repetition (for and while statements); (4) calls to
built-in functions, functions imported from modules and programmer-defined
functions.
3. Perform unit testing of functions using the Python shell and by writing simple test
scripts.
4. Use simple techniques to debug programs; for example, inserting print statements to
instrument code and using a program visualization tool.
5. Trace and visualize the execution of short Python programs. Explain what happens,
step-by-step, as the computer executes each statement. Explain the diagrams
produced by a program visualization tool that depicts the variables in the program’s
global frame, arguments and local variables in the function activation frames, and the
objects that are bound to the variables.
6. Represent unsigned and signed decimal integers as binary numbers, and interpret
binary numbers as unsigned and signed decimal integers.

Graduate Attributes (GAs)

The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board requires graduates of undergraduate
engineering programs to possess 12 attributes. Courses in all four years of our programs
evaluate students' progress towards acquiring these attributes. Aggregate data (typically,
the data collected in all sections of a course during an academic year) is used for
accreditation purposes and to guide improvements to our programs. Some of the
assessments used to measure GAs may also contribute to final grades; however, the GA
measurements for individual students are not used to determine the student's year-to-
year progression through the program or eligibility to graduate.
GA Indicator Learning Outcome/s
1.3 Knowledge base for engineering: All
Fundamental engineering concepts
Accreditation Units
For more information about Accreditation Units, please visit:
https://engineerscanada.ca/
The course has 27 AUs divided into:
Math Natural Complementary Engineering Engineering
Science Studies Science Design
100%

Textbook
Practical Programming (Third Edition): An Introduction to Computer Science Using
Python 3.6, Paul Gries, Jennifer Campbell, Jason Montojo, Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2017,
ISBN-13: 978-1-68050-268-8.
Despite the phrase "Python 3.6" in the title, the book is equally applicable to the Python
release we will be using.
Multiple eBook formats can be purchased directly from the publisher's website:
pragprog.com. Make sure you buy the third edition, not the second edition.
A free digital copy of the book is available through O'Reilly (a digital library) and can be
accessed by following these steps:
1. Go to https://library.carleton.ca/find/databases/oreilly
2. Click on the "Connect: O'Reilly" hyperlink
3. Sign in using your MyCarletonOne credentials.
4. Type “Practical Programming Jennifer Campbell" in the search box at the top of
the page (to the right of the red O'Reilly logo), then tap the <Enter> key.
5. Scroll down until you find the link to "Practical Programming, 3rd Edition", then
click the link.
6. Click the red Continue button below the picture of the book’s cover. You can then
navigate to the Table of Contents to access any chapter.

Software
We will be using Python 3 and the Wing 101 Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
The software is free and available for the Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
We recommend that you replace any older releases of Python 3 on your computer with
the newest release (Version 3.12.1, as of December 2023).
Students who prefer to use another IDE; for example, PyCharm, VS Code, or Spyder, are
free to do so. Before you submit any code, you have developed with another IDE, we
strongly recommend that you verify that it runs under Wing 101, as other IDEs import
libraries behind the scenes, and your code may throw an error when tested without the
IDE.
We will also use Python Tutor (pythontutor.com), a free Web-based tool that helps us
visualize what happens as the computer executes each line of a program's source code,
step-by-step.

Evaluation and Marking Scheme

Students will be evaluated using online quizzes, laboratory work, a midterm exam, and a
final exam. A numeric mark out of 100 will be calculated by weighting the course
components as shown in this table:

Component Weight
Quizzes (best 5 out of 6) 5%
Labs (best 5 out of 6) 10%
Midterm – 30th/31st Jan 2024 (Lecture time) 25%
Final exam 60%

This mark will be converted to a letter grade, using the table of percentage equivalents
shown in the Undergraduate Calendar, Academic Regulations of the University, Section
5.4, Grading System.

In order to pass the course, students must satisfy the following requirement: of the 60
marks contributed by the final exam, a minimum mark of 25/60 must be obtained.

A grade of at least C- in ECOR1041 is a pre-requisite for ECOR1042. This pre-requisite will be

enforced.
If you do not achieve a grade of C- in ECOR1041, you will be removed automatically from
ECOR1042 (late Winter) and automatically re-enrolled in a new ECOR1041 section
scheduled at the same time as your original ECOR1042 class. Do not drop ECOR1042 if you fail
ECOR1041. Otherwise, you will not be re-enrolled in ECOR1041 (late Fall).
If you do not want to be re-enrolled in ECOR1041 for late Winter, in the case that you do
not achieve a grade of C-, you must email [email protected] before 20th February
2024. Note that the pre-requisite will be enforced regardless of your decision to be re-enrolled in
ECOR1041 or not, and you will have to re-take ECOR1041 at a later time (e.g. Summer) before
being able to take ECOR1042.

Note: Second-year status is a prerequisite for the second-year engineering, science, and
mathematics courses that are part of your program. One of the requirements for achieving
second-year status is a minimum grade of C- in each of ECOR 104x courses, including
ECOR1041.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all lectures and lab periods. The University requires
students to have a conflict-free timetable. For more information, see the current
Undergraduate Calendar, Academic Regulations of the University, Section 2.1.3, Course
Selection and Registration and Section 2.1.7, Deregistration.

Lectures
Lectures will be delivered in person. Lectures will not be streamed or recorded.

Missed Term work

Students who claim illness, injury or other extraordinary circumstances beyond their
control as a reason for missed term work are held responsible for immediately informing
the instructor concerned and for making alternate arrangements with the instructor. In all
cases, this must occur no later than three (3) days after the term work was due. The
alternate arrangement must be made before the last day of classes in the term as
published in the academic schedule.
Consult the Section 4.4 of the University Calendar:
https://calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/regulations/academicregulationsoftheuniversity/e
xaminations/#deferred-term-work
For labs and quizzes, extensions will normally not be granted. Exceptions to this policy
are:

• If you are unable to submit your lab work on time because of illness, injury, or
extraordinary circumstances beyond your control, contact the ISC with the
completed self-declaration form no later than 3 days after the deadline of term
work.
• If you are unable to submit your labs on time for reasons related to disabilities,
pregnancy, religious obligations or participation in certain student activities, please
contact the ISC to arrange appropriate accommodations. All these requests must
be made as soon as the need is known. Requests after the submission deadline
will be denied.

Students who are unable to write the midterm exam because of illness or other
circumstances beyond their control (e.g., family or religious obligations) can request to
get the weight of the midterm added to the weight of the final exam. These requests must
be made no later than 3 days after the exam date, and must be fully supported by
appropriate documentation. These students can also request permission to write the
midterm at a later date. These exams will be graded to provide feedback, but the mark
will not be used when calculating the final grade.
Missed Final Exam
Students who are unable to write the final examination because of a serious
illness/emergency or other circumstances beyond their control may apply for
accommodation by contacting the Registrar’s office. Consult the Section 4.3 of the
University Calendar:
https://calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/regulations/academicregulationsoftheuniversity/e
xaminations/

Breakdown of Course Requirements

Quizzes (5%)
Reading assignments from the textbook will be posted on Brightspace. Short online
multiple-choice quizzes related to the reading assignments will be posted. The best 5 out
of 6 quizzes will count toward your grade. All quizzes are equally weighted. You will need
to complete each quiz by the due date listed on Brightspace. Extensions will not be
granted.

Labs (10%)
Labs consist of short programming exercises that are intended to help you understand
concepts that have been introduced in the lectures. The best 5 out of 6 labs will count
toward your grade. All labs are equally weighted. Labs must be submitted to Brightspace
for grading by the due dates. Extensions will not be granted.

If your code does not run using Python 3.11 or has a run time error, you will receive 0 for
your submission. Code will be evaluated against a set of test harnesses.

Exams: Midterm (25%) and Final (60%)

The midterm and final exams will be held in person on Campus to assess your individual
learning. Each exam will cover all material covered up to that point in the course. Both
the midterm and final exams will be closed-book and proctored. You will be expected
to complete the exams on your own, without any support from or communication with
others. Detailed instructions about the midterm and final exams will be posted on
Brightspace.

Requests to increase the weight of the final exam because of poor performance in
the midterm, quizzes, or labs, with a corresponding reduction in the weight of the
other component(s), will not be considered.

Reminder: Of the 60 marks contributed by the final exam, a minimum mark of 25/60 must
be obtained.

Final exams are for evaluation purpose and will not be returned to students.
Tentative Week-by-Week Breakdown
Lecture Topic
1 Introduction to Python: using the Python shell as a calculator. Numeric
types int and float. Construction and evaluation of arithmetic
expressions.
2 Representation of numbers in the binary number system. Limitations of
real-number representation in binary.
3 Variables and assignment. Using variables in expressions. Python Tutor
for tracing and visualizing Python code execution. Coding conventions.
4 Using Python’s built-in functions (e.g., print, abs, pow, etc.). Importing
functions from modules.
5 Defining functions. Passing arguments to and returning values from
functions. Using local variables in function definitions.
Testing functions: Using the shell to test functions interactively.
6 A step-by-step recipe for designing functions: Function Design Recipe
(FDR).
7 Control flow. Conditional (if) statements.
Midterm Midterm (During lecture time)
8 Boolean values (type bool) and operators. Relational operators.
Automated testing
9 Control flow: Loops (while and for statements).
10 Character strings (type str) Getting input from the user. Interactive
programs (i.e., Python scripts). Try/Except
11 Introduction to lists: Python's list type. Using a for loop to iterate over
a list.

Copyright

The materials (including the course outline and any slides, posted notes, videos, labs,
project, assignments, quizzes, exams and solutions) created for this course and posted
on this web site are intended for personal use and may not be reproduced or
redistributed or posted on any web site without prior written permission from the
author(s).
Advising and Counselling Services

a) Engineering Academic Advising

The Engineering Academic Support Service: https://carleton.ca/engineering-
design/current-students/undergrad-academic-support/ assists undergraduate
engineering students with course selection, registration, and learning support from first-
year through to graduation.

Academic Advisors Contact: https://carleton.ca/engineering-design/current-

students/undergrad-academic-support/undergraduate-advisors/

b) Student Mental Health Service

As a University student you may experience a range of mental health challenges that
significantly impact your academic success and overall well-being. Carleton's Wellness
Services Navigator https://wellness.carleton.ca/navigator/ is designed to help students
connect with mental health and wellness resources. If you need to talk to someone,
please reach out for assistance: https://carleton.ca/health/emergencies-and-crisis/.

Learning and Working Environment

The University and all members of the University community share responsibility for
ensuring that the University’s educational, work and living environments are free from
discrimination and harassment. Should you have concerns about harassment or
discrimination relating to your age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed (religion),
disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender expression, gender identity, marital status,
place of origin, race, sex (including pregnancy), or sexual orientation, please contact the
Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at [email protected]
We will strive to create an environment of mutual respect for all through equity, diversity,
and inclusion within this course. The space which we work in will be safe for everyone.
Please be considerate of everyone’s personal beliefs, choices, and opinions.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

a) Please consult the Faculty of Engineering and Design information page about the
Academic Integrity policy and our procedures: https://carleton.ca/engineering-
design/current-students/fed-academic-integrity Violations of the Academic Integrity
Policy will result in the assignment of a penalty such as reduced grades, the assignment
of an F in a course, a suspension or, expulsion.
b) One of the main objectives of the Academic Integrity Policy is to ensure that the work
you submit is your own. As a result, it is important to write your own solutions when
studying and preparing with other students and to avoid plagiarism in your submissions.
The University Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as “presenting, whether
intentionally or not, the ideas, expression of ideas or work of others as one’s own.” This
includes reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else’s published or
unpublished material, regardless of the source, and presenting these as one’s own
without proper citation or reference to the original source.
Examples of violations of the policy include, but are not limited to:

• Any submission prepared in whole or in part, by someone else;

• Using another’s data or research findings without appropriate acknowledgement;
• Submitting a computer program developed in whole or in part by someone else,
with or without modifications, as one’s own;
• Failing to acknowledge sources of information through the use of proper citations
when using another’s work and/or failing to use quotations marks; and
• Unless explicitly permitted by the instructor in a specific course, the use of
generative AI and similar tools to produce assessed content (such as text, code,
equations, images, summaries, videos, etc.).

Academic Accommodations

You may need special arrangements to meet your academic obligations during the
term. For an accommodation request the processes are as follows:
Pregnancy obligation: write to the ISC with any requests for academic
accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after
the need for accommodation is known to exist. For accommodation regarding a
formally-scheduled final exam, you must complete the Pregnancy
Accommodation Form (click here).
Religious obligation: write to ISC with any requests for academic
accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after
the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details click here.
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The Paul Menton
Centre for Students with Disabilities (PMC) provides services to students with
Learning Disabilities (LD), psychiatric/mental health disabilities, Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), chronic
medical conditions, and impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision. If you have
a disability requiring academic accommodations in this course, please contact
PMC at 613-520-6608 or [email protected] for a formal evaluation. If you are
already registered with the PMC, contact your PMC coordinator to send the ISC
and your course instructor your Letter of Accommodation at the beginning of the
term, and no later than two weeks before the first in-class scheduled test or exam
requiring accommodation (if applicable). After requesting accommodation from
PMC, meet with the ISC to ensure accommodation arrangements are made.
Please consult the PMC website for the deadline to request accommodations for
the formally-scheduled exam (if applicable).
Survivors of Sexual Violence: As a community, Carleton University is
committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment
where sexual violence will not be tolerated, and where survivors are supported
through academic accommodations as per Carleton’s Sexual Violence Policy.
For more information about the services available at the university and to obtain
information about sexual violence and/or support, visit:
https://carleton.ca/equity/sexual-assault-support-services
Accommodation for Student Activities: Carleton University recognizes the
substantial benefits, both to the individual student and for the university, that
result from a student participating in activities beyond the classroom experience.
Reasonable accommodation will be provided to students who compete or
perform at the national or international level. Write to the ISC with any requests
for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as
possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist.
https://carleton.ca/senate/wp-content/uploads/Accommodation-for-Student-Activities-
1.pdf