Fall 2012
CS 1002 - Introduction to Computing Disciplines
Monday/Wednesday 10.00-10.50am
Room J 217
INSTRUCTOR
John Vande Ven
Office: J 392
Email: jvandeve@spsu.edu
OFFICE HOURS and Schedule:
See: http://cse.spsu.edu/jvandeve/ScheduleFall2012.html
Other times by appointment (preferred).
TEXT:
Dale and Lewis, Computer Science Illuminated, (4th ed), Jones and Bartlett, 2010,
ISBN 978-0-7637-7646-6
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine the various aspects and provide a general overview of
computing in today’s world. Students will become familiar with topics such as computer
software, hardware, networks, operating systems, information systems, and the Internet.
They will also be exposed to what is expected in the various fields of computing and the
types of job opportunities available.
The major method of instruction will be lecture/discussion where student interaction is
highly encouraged.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Students who complete this course will be able to:
1. Install and Use tools such as virtualBox, xmapp that will help them succeed in future
course work in SWE, IT, or CS.
2. Distinguish among computer science, software engineering and information technology.
3. Describe and use basic Boolean logic and number systems.
4. Describe how data are represented in digital computers.
5. Develop simple algorithms in sufficient detail to allow programming of them.
6. Describe components and organization of a computer system in general terms and how
programs are executed.
7. Demonstrate basic computer literacy skills.
8. Describe the general characteristics of computing areas such as hardware, software,
operating systems, programming languages, etc.
GRADING:
All graded work will be marked with a number that represents the percentage of correct
answers. For exams, such number will be in the range 0 through 100; for homework, it
will typically be in the range 0 through 10 (where 10 means 100%).
Your final course grade will be determined using a weighted average.
following percentage weights will be used for each item indicated:
Assignments/ Quiz/ In class participation:
Topic Presentation
Exams (3 || 2)
The
30%
10%
60% (Total quiz)
Grading:
90+
80+
70+
60+
<60
A
B
C
D
F
Makeup quizzes will be given only for nonacademic circumstances beyond the student’s
control and with prior arrangements.
A grade of Incomplete (I) may be awarded only for nonacademic circumstances beyond
the student’s control. Documentation of such circumstances will be required; work
related activities do not qualify.
ASSIGNMENTS:
There will be several homework assignments. Generally you will have between 2 days
and 1 week to complete each homework assignment. Each homework assignment
should take no more than 1 hour to complete. Each homework assignment should
submitted in MS WORD or Office Libre using “doc” format, with your name on the first
page/course/and meeting time on the first page.
LATE HOMEWORK is NOT ACCEPTED after 4 days past the due date. There will be a
25% reduction in grade per day late.
Topic Presentation
Each student will select a topic from a pre-defined list. You will email me for topic
approval and date of presentation. You must complete a 5 minute PowerPoint or similar
presentation of information about your topic, followed by questions. IF YOU DO NOT
SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION TIME WITH ME AND WE RUN OUT OF CLASS TIME
NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR THE PRESENTATION SECTION.
In addition you must submit a paper (MS Word .doc format , 5 pages), your PowerPoint
presentation, and you must reference at least 3 sources of information related to your
topic. More detailed information about the presentations will follow late in the class.
OTHER COMMENTS:
Class attendance and participation are expected. However, in the event of an
absence, it is the responsibility of the student to make up any information missed.
Academic dishonesty cannot be tolerated. You must do your own work. Credit cannot
be earned for work that is not your own.
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class
are encouraged to contact the counselor working with disabilities at (770) 528-7226 as
soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a
timely fashion.
SCHEDULE
(Due to the nature of this course we will cover most of the material in the text of 17 Chapters
over approximately 13 weeks. The exact order and coverage of each chapter will depend on
the discussion and understanding of the class as a whole. )
Course calendar: **(we may/will/might adjust the schedule based on extraneous
circumstances)
Week of (Monday Date)
Aug 13
Chapter 1, 2
Aug 20
Chapter 2, 3
Aug 27
Chapter 3, 4
Sept.3
Chapter 4,5,6
Sept.10
Review, Quiz 1
Sept.17
Chapter 7,8
Sept.24
Chapter 9,10
Oct. 1
Chapter 11,12
Oct. 8
Review, Quiz 2
Oct. 15
Chapter 13,14
Oct. 22
Chapter 15
Oct. 29
Chapter 16
Nov. 5
Review, Quiz 3
Nov. 19
Presentations
Nov 26
Presentations
Dec 3
Last Day of classes – Exam 3- Finals week
Dec 10
Finals Week Ends – Project Due 12/10
Last Date to Withdraw with W
Sept 4th
(Consult Academic calendar for updates)
Official Student Honor code
http://spsu.edu/honorcode/
CS Department Honor Code
http://www.spsu.edu/cs/faculty/bbrown/papers/conduct.html
Tutoring
Tutoring is available at the Attic and/or by the CS Department tutors.
http://cse.spsu.edu/cslab/Tutors/tutorials.htm
ADA Compliance statement
"If you have a documented disability as described by the Rehabilitation Act of 1977 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)that may require you to need assistance attaining
accessibility to instructional content to meet course requirements, we recommend you contact
the ATTIC at 678-915-7361 as soon as possible. It is then your responsibility to contact and
meet with your instructor. The ATTIC can assist you and the instructor in formulating a
reasonable accommodation plan and provide support in developing appropriate
accommodations for your disability. Course requirements will not be waived, but
accommodations will be made, when appropriate, to assist you to meet the requirements."