CPSC/DTSC 115L: Introduction to Computer Science Fall 2026

Course information and policies

Lectures:CPSC/DTSC 115-01: MWF 10:00–10:50 a.m. in 270 Nutt MECC (Takunari Miyazaki)
Laboratories:CPSC/DTSC 115-20: W 1:30–4:10 p.m. in 136 Nutt MECC (Takunari Miyazaki)
CPSC/DTSC 115-21: Th 1:30–4:10 p.m. in 136 Nutt MECC (Ewa Syta)
URL:https://www.cs.trincoll.edu/~miyazaki/cpsc115/
Head instructor:Takunari Miyazaki
Office:133 Nutt MECC
Phone:(860) 297-4041
E-mail:takunari.miyazaki@trincoll.edu
Office hours:MWF 11:00 a.m.–noon or by appointment
Teaching assistants:Sitora Abdulofizova ’29
Amraa Anar ’27
Emma E. Eschweiler ’28
Andrew R. Hirai ’29

Course description. This course provides an introduction to computer science from broad and diverse perspectives, through object-oriented problem-solving using the Java programming language. Throughout the course, recurring themes are abstraction and effective use of basic algorithmic constructs such as sequence, selection and iteration. The building blocks of object-oriented programming such as encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism and generics are covered and reinforced with practical applications. Required weekly laboratory sessions deepen students' learning with hands-on opportunities to experiment with the concepts covered in the lectures.

Prerequisite. C− or better in CPSC 110 or mathematics skills appropriate for enrolling in a calculus class.

Textbook. There is one required digital textbook: We will use a customized copy of this so-called zyBook, subtitled CPSC 115: Introduction to Computer Science (TRINCOLLCPSC115Fall2026), specifically designed for this course. Please purchase it through the Trinity College Bookstore using the correct ISBN: 979-8-203-32430-6. zyBook is a digital textbook, and no hardcopy is available.

References. For official online resources on Java, visit the website: For the official reference book, I recommend: I did not order this book through the campus bookstore.

Exams. There will be three exams: No early or late exam will be offered. These exams will be closed-book exams.

Quizzes. There will be several short quizzes given, roughly speaking, once every two weeks, unless there is an exam. For each quiz, there will be an advanced announcement regarding when it will be given and what will be covered. No early or late quiz will be offered; however, your lowest quiz grade will be disregarded at the end of the term. These quizzes will be closed-book quizzes.

Laboratories. You are required to attend a laboratory session and complete a laboratory assignment every week. Each assignment is due at the end of the laboratory period. Laboratory work must be done on a laboratory workstation. No personal computer or digital device is allowed. Three assignments will be graded in points, and the rest will be graded with a “pass”, “low pass” or “failure”. For the P/LP/F laboratories, you are expected to work with another student as a pair. For the three graded laboratories, you are expected to work individually without any help from others. At the end of the term, your lowest P/LP/F and graded laboratory grades will be disregarded.

Homework and projects. There will be weekly homework assignments and two pair projects. Homework assignments, to be completed individually, will involve problem solving and short programming. Projects, to be completed with another student as a pair, will involve more programming and thus require more time. Every homework assignment/project is due at the beginning of the class period on the date specified. At the end of the term, your lowest homework grade will be disregarded; however, both project grades will count.

Attendance and late policies. You are required to attend every class, arriving on time, signing in on an attendance sheet, and staying focused until the end of the class. You will be responsible for all announcements made in class and occasionally via e-mail. As stated above, all exams and quizzes must be taken on the dates specified. For laboratories and homework assignments, no late work will be accepted (however, as stated above, your lowest P/LP/F and graded laboratory and homework grades will be disregarded at the end of the term). For projects, a 10% penalty for each academic day will be assessed to late work up to a maximum penalty of 30%. Only in a rare extenuating circumstance (e.g., serious illness or injury, a family emergency), you may request for an early or late exam/quiz or an extension for an assignment/project, but such a request must be made in advance in writing with justification to the instructor.

Grading. Your overall course grade will be evaluated according to the following weights for the total of 100%.
Two in-class exams:2 × 15%
Final exam:20%
Homework and projects:20%
P/LP/F laboratories:10%
Graded laboratories:10%
Quizzes:7%
Attendance and participation:3%
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty. You are encouraged to consult with one another when you work on homework assignments (resp. projects), but, in the end, everyone (resp. every pair) must do one's own work to hand in. In particular, discussion should be limited to brainstorming, such as verbally going through strategies, but it must not involve one student (resp. pair) sharing written solutions with another student (resp. pair). In the end, everyone (resp. every pair) must write up solutions independently in one's own words. If you have discussed with other classmates or used any outside source (i.e., anything other than the course materials and instructors and teaching assistants' help) for brainstorming, you must clearly indicate so on your work and provide all references in full detail for outside sources. Turning in another's work under your name is plagiarism and qualifies as academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is a serious intellectual violation, and the consequences can be severe. For more details, read the Student Handbook 2026–2027, Section I. Academic Policies, Intellectual Honesty.

Special needs. Trinity College is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who may need some accommodation in order to fully participate in this course are urged to contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) at (860) 297-4025 or sarc@trincoll.edu, as soon as possible, to explore what arrangements need to be made to assure access. If you already have SARC's approval for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor during the first two weeks of the term. For those students with accommodations approved after the term begins, a minimum of ten days' notice is required. Please meet with the instructor privately to discuss implementation.

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