CS480-01 Computer Science Seminar
fall-2010
Instructor: Dr. Linda. Kaufman
Office:
Coach T209
Office hours:
(tentative)Office
Hours: 10-11T;
10:45-11:45W;
Telephone:(973) 720-2952(O), (973) 720-2649(Department)
E-mail:
kaufmanl@wpunj.edu
3:15-4:15Th
Website:
cs.wpunj.edu/~kaufmanl-check here for announcements
Textbooks:
Reynolds, George, Ethics in Information Technology, Third Edition, Thomson,
Course Technology,
References:
1. Baase, S. 1997; A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in
Computing, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ(This is an excellent
resource)
2. Dowler, L. 1997; Gateway to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in
Teaching, Learning, and Research, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
3. Deborah Johnson Computer Ethics, 3rd edition, , Prentice Hall 2001
Journals:
 Communications, a monthly journal published by ACM
 Computer, a monthly journal published by IEEE Computer Society
 IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, a quarterly journal by IEEE
 IEEE Transactions of various topics.
 ACM Transactions of various topics (available in WPUNJ library)
Web sites:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/skill1.htm (Research process)
http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=06AD7000 (Scientific method)
http://www.ecf.toronto.edu/~writing/index.html (Advanced research method in
engineering)
Objectives:
As a capstone course, a student is expected to
1. Appreciate of the social impact of computers.
2. Articulate and practice the ACM code of conducts for computer professionals
3. Understand the research process, and to develop and demonstrate research
skills through a substantial research project.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills through
active participation in seminars and presentations of research project in both
oral and written forms.
5. Become aware of current development in computer science
6. Recognize the rapidly evolving nature of the field and the importance of
keeping current as a lifelong pursuit.
7. Demonstrate programming skills.
Assessment:
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Classroom participation (your mere presence is not enough.)-5%
Performance as a leader on topical discussions in the areas of social impact of
computers and code of conduct for computer professionals. (based on style,
preparation, and content)-23%
Research project based on quality of written report and oral presentation
(based on style, preparation, and content).-40%
Homework assignments-( Pop quizzes may be given to ensure students are
doing their own homework)-22%
Final-10%
Class rules:
Classes will be conducted in seminar forms, so your active participation is critical
to the success for the course. Consequently, attendance will be taken and those
who miss classes will be penalized. Note that anyone who misses 7 classes
unexcused will automatically fail the course. The highest standard of
ethics will be applied-plagiarism from others or the internet will
not be tolerated. When speaking about unethical behavior, do not cross the
line yourself. No smoking or cell phones.
Topical outline and time allocation
Part I: Topics on current interest in computer science and new development in computing
technologies (Approximately 4 weeks) during these four weeks, seminars will be given
by professors or guest speakers on various topics of interest in computer science.
Students must identify a topic to perform research by the end of February.
Part II: Oral presentations by students on topics on ethics of computer professionals and social
impact of computers (approximately 3.5 weeks). Each student will give a 15-20- minute
talk. Other students and professor will evaluate the talk,
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ACM and IEEE code of conduct for computer professionals
Freedom of speech versus censorship in cyberspace
Privacy: controlling and potential misuse of information
Intellectual property: the implication of copyrights, and patent laws
Computer crime and the culture of the hackers
Risks of errors in large computer systems
Part III: Oral presentations by students of their research results: 20-25 minutes. Abstract of the
presentation must be made available (either in printed form or on the web) to others at
least one week ahead of the time. Written report of 5-10 pages which will be 1/3 of the
research grade. A rough draft or outline of the paper is due 2 weeks before the oral
report and final report is due either 2 weeks after the oral report or the last class
whichever is earliest. You cannot submit projects used for other classes!