I know it's a bit early but I wanted to mail you all a link to the textbook we will be using so you can get a head start on the spring during your winter break. The topics we will cover in CSIS10B are very challenging to master so if you want to succeed, if you really want to have a clear understanding of data structures at the end of the class, you'll want to do some advance reading before class begins. 

WHY YOU SHOULD GET THE TEXT

I am familiar with the notion "I don't have to read the book" held by many of my students, which can be fatal for CSIS10B.  You should be aware that this is considered the "weeder" course for computer science, meaning its difficult nature discourages many from continuing further down this path. However, if you truly master this subject matter everything that comes after is easy in comparison. This is the class that lays it all out there for you. There will also be frequent reading quizzes throughout the class to make sure you are taking this aspect of the class seriously. 

I've carefully chosen the book based on its readability and coverage of key topics for this class after reading about a dozen different titles. Most books for this class totally suck, but our author, Frank Carrano, has 30 years of experience teaching these topics to university students at URI and is well known for his clear style. He is also considered one of the best teachers ever at URI by nearly all of the student reviewers on ratemyprofessors.com.  

It's a new edition and therefore will be pricey but several options for discount deals are available at the links below. Also, it may be possible for two or more people to share a copy, if you are interested in going in jointly on a copy please let me know. I will also have one copy on reserve at the MPC library for those who have difficulty scraping the funds together.
The CSIS10B website is at http://tomrebold.com/csis10b/index.htm

CSIS10B TEXT 

The textbook for CSIS10B is at this link on amazon: 

http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Abstractions-Java-3rd/dp/0136100910/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323026701&sr=1-4

You can also get good deals for our CSIS10B text at  http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/9780136100911

and in general the earlier you buy the better the deal.  There is also an older 2nd edition for this book but I don't recommend it since the author has changed the chapter sequence considerably so it won't follow our exact path through the material. 

This book also has a terrific, yet brief, java language reference in the back, and since we were just sort of winging it in 10A this will help fill in the many gaps in your knowledge of the basics of java. 

JAVA REVIEW TEXT 

You may also wish to pick up a good beginners text in java to familiarize yourself in greater depth. A very high quality and very cheap book is the one we will be using for 10A from now on. You can get older edition copies for as low as $9 at this link (our new CSIS10A text)  http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Java-Control-Structures/dp/1576761711   and the latest edition (which doesn't seem to have changed much) at http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Java-Control-Structures/dp/0136080200

If you are excited about computer science this is the class for you. If you are wondering if you really need to be in this class, please let me know. In particular, students heading to CSUMB's CSIT program / Computer Networking emphasis may (unofficially) be able to have the data structures requirement waived at CSUMB since it's not something that IT/network administrators traditionally need on the job. CSIS10B is however a crucial class for Computer Science and Computer Engineering majors. 

Any other questions. please let me know, otherwise, please order the book, curl up by the fire, and start right in on the Java language review in Appendices A,B,C, and D in the back,  and then start in on Chapter 1!   If you can get as far as Chapter 6 before class starts you should be very well prepared to get the most out of the class. 

see you in February.