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Computer Science
CS 344
Introduction to Web Systems and Programming
3
Every year; 30 students
Focus of course is on the fundamentals of the Web as a computer
system, and the components used in developing client-side Web-based
applications. Students will develop a number of Web pages and
programs throughout the course and work with a team to develop an
integrated, interactive web site. Prerequisite: CS 250 or permission of
instructor.
Yes
Joan Francioni
jfrancioni@winona.edu
Unity and Diversity:
Contemporary Citizenship
General Course Outcomes:
The World Wide Web surfaced in November, 1990. Now, eighteen years later, the Web
is central to many aspects of our lives. One way that many people interact with the Web
is by "surfing" it. There is an enormous amount of information available on the Web and
anyone with Web access can get to it. But being able to participate as an effective citizen
in this arena requires more than just accessing what is put out there by others; it requires
being able to contribute information to the web as well.
The primary objective of this course is for students to understand the fundamentals and
the specifics of website design so that they are able to participate effectively in the
dissemination of web information. A secondary objective is for students to become
knowledgeable citizens about the power of the Web to impact society.
Upon completing CS 344, students should be able to
1. Create a dynamic website that meets W3C strict standards.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the components, and proficiency of tool use, for
implementing a dynamic website.
3. Set up a web server that supports access to a database.
4. Specify strategies that will support their continued learning about new web
functionality and standards.
5. Explain the fundamental computer science concepts underlying the World Wide
Web.
Specific Course Outcomes:
a. use critical thinking to analyze contemporary issues;
The World Wide Web is a contemporary issue. To analyze how it impacts individuals
and society, one must be able to understand, at a basic level, how it works. To promote
this understanding, students will develop Web pages from scratch and learn how to set up
a web server on their laptops. They will evaluate their own as well as other web sites for
effective navigational design, accessibility to persons with disabilities, and efficiency of
page rendering.
b. demonstrate effective oral and/or written communication of ideas, informed
opinions, and/or values;
A Web site is a form of written communication. How one lays out a site, the colors,
pictures, and sounds they use, and the actual text content all come into play to reflect the
author's ideas, opinions, and values. Students will study different ways to design their
sites and to include multimedia content into their pages. Their sites will be evaluated for a
grade and they will also have a chance to present at least one site to the class.
c. identify, find, and use tools of information science related to contemporary issues;
Students will work directly with Web development tools in this class, including
Dreamweaver, MySQL, WAMP, and Asembla versioning control software. Students will
also spend significant time determining effecting strategies for parsing online information
and tutorials related to web information.
d. demonstrate the ability to work effectively, independently, and/or in collaborative
problem-solving groups;
Students will work both on their own and in teams during this class. They will work on a
number of individual assignments - both web programming and research papers. They
will also work with a team of 3-4 people on a semester-long website project.
e. participate actively (e.g., class discussion, volunteerism, etc.) in issues significant
to citizenship in contemporary society.
The semester project for this course will be to develop a working website for an outside
client. The client will represent a non-profit organization or a Winona State program.
Students will meet with their client to determine appropriate functionality for their site
and will attempt to create a working website that is deployed at the end of the class for
use by the client.
Sample Course Syllabus
Fall Semester - 2008
CS 344 - Fall 2008 - Syllabus
Course Home
Campus Resources
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Student Support Services, Howell Hall 133, 457-5465
Inclusion and Diversity Office, Kryzsko Commons Room 122, 457-5595
Disability Resource Center, Maxwell 331, 457-2391
Counseling Center, Wabasha Hall 220, 457-5330
Writing Center, Minne Hall 348, 457-5505
GLBTA Advocate, Wabasha Hall 220, 457-5330
Advising and Retention, Maxwell 308, 457-5600
Instructor Dr. Joan Francioni
Office Watkins 108D
507-457-2336
email/ jfrancioni "at" winona.edu
course http://cs.winona.edu/Francioni/cs344/
Website
Office Hours 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Tuesday, Thursday
10:00 am - noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Texts
1. Programming the World Wide Web, 4E
by Robert W. Sebesta
2. WWW itself!
Prerequisites CS 250 - Algorithms and Problem Solving II
Grading (Tentative)
6% Class contribution
25% Homework assignments
24% Check-points (individual)
30% Group project (group)
15% Final Exam/Report (individual)
Collaboration Illegal collaboration on assignments, programs or tests will result in a
grade of F for the course according to the Department Collaboration
Policy.
Inclusion WSU recognizes that our individual differences can deepen our
understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide
us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, sexual
orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and
nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of
perspectives and experiences. If you feel your differences may in some
way isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need of any
specific accommodations, please speak with the instructor early in the
semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you
become an active and engaged member of our class and community.
Topics Topics include, but are not limited to:
1. Web Fundamentals
a. History
b. Browsers vs. servers
c. Uniform Resource locators
d. Hypertext Transfer Protocol
e. Security
2. Web-page design
a. XHTML and other mark-up languages
b. Style sheets
c. Dreamweaver
3. Client-side Scripting
a. Document Object Model
b. Javascript
c. Dynamic documents
4. Website Usability
a. Accessibility
b. Design
5. XML
a. Syntax
b. Documents
c. Namespaces and Schemas
6. Server-side Scripting
a. Servlets and JSP
b. Perl and CGI
c. php
d. Asp.Net
e. WAMP
7. Database access via Web – e.g., MySQL
8. Extras – e.g., AJAX, Ruby, RSS, Asembla
Activities Activities that you will engage in (and learning outcomes listed below):
1. Class discussions
o Students will engage in discussions of contemporary
issues related to the World Wide Web and advances in
technology. [outcomes a, b, e]
 digital divide
 accessibility
 effective page layout
2. Students will work both independently and in groups. [outcomes
a, b, d]
o Individual Work
 small projects to developed various components of
web pages using a variety of web page
development tools
o Group Work
 semester long project to develop a working
website for an outside client
3. Students will use web design tools to create effective websites.
[outcome c]
o Dreamweaver
o MySQL
o WAMP
o Asembla
General Course Outcomes
The World Wide Web surfaced in November, 1990. Now, eighteen years later, the Web
is central to many aspects of our lives. One way that many people interact with the Web
is by "surfing" it. There is an enormous amount of information available on the Web and
anyone with Web access can get to it. But being able to participate as an effective citizen
in this arena requires more than just accessing what is put out there by others; it requires
being able to contribute information to the web as well.
The primary objective of this course is for students to understand the fundamentals and
the specifics of website design so that they are able to participate effectively in the
dissemination of web information. A secondary objective is for students to become
knowledgeable citizens about the power of the Web to impact society.
Upon completing CS 344, students should be able to
1. Create a dynamic website that meets W3C strict standards.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the components, and proficiency of tool use, for
implementing a dynamic website.
3. Set up a web server that supports access to a database.
4. Specify strategies that will support their continued learning about new web
functionality and standards.
5. Explain the fundamental computer science concepts underlying the World Wide
Web.
University Studies
This course qualifies as a University Studies course satisfying the outcomes of the
Contemporary Citizenship category of the Unity and Diversity area.
University Studies Outcomes: This course will focus on developing the skills and
knowledge base to enhance students' ability to make effective decisions, work
collaboratively with others, and participate effectively in professional and civic
responsibilities with respect to the World Wide Web.
Specifically, this course fulfills the Contemporary Citizenship requirement by addressing
the following five outcomes:
a. use critical thinking to analyze contemporary issues;
The World Wide Web is a contemporary issue. To analyze how it impacts individuals
and society, one must be able to understand, at a basic level, how it works. To promote
this understanding, students will develop Web pages from scratch and learn how to set up
a web server on their laptops. They will evaluate their own as well as other web sites for
effective navigational design, accessibility to persons with disabilities, and efficiency of
page rendering.
b. demonstrate effective oral and/or written communication of ideas, informed
opinions, and/or values;
A Web site is a form of written communication. How one lays out a site, the colors,
pictures, and sounds they use, and the actual text content all come into play to reflect the
author's ideas, opinions, and values. Students will study different ways to design their
sites and to include multimedia content into their pages. Their sites will be evaluated for a
grade and they will also have a chance to present at least one site to the class.
c. identify, find, and use tools of information science related to contemporary issues;
Students will work directly with Web development tools in this class, including
Dreamweaver, MySQL, WAMP, and Asembla versioning control software. Students will
also spend significant time determining effecting strategies for parsing online information
and tutorials related to web information.
d. demonstrate the ability to work effectively, independently, and/or in collaborative
problem-solving groups;
Students will work both on their own and in teams during this class. They will work on a
number of individual assignments - both web programming and research papers. They
will also work with a team of 3-4 people on a semester-long website project.
e. participate actively (e.g., class discussion, volunteerism, etc.) in issues significant
to citizenship in contemporary society.
The semester project for this course will be to develop a working website for an outside
client. The client will represent a non-profit organization or a Winona State program.
Students will meet with their client to determine appropriate functionality for their site
and will attempt to create a working website that is deployed at the end of the class for
use by the client.