CSc 114 B Syllabus

CSc 114 Section B

CSc 114

Fall, 2013

3 Credits

Introduction to Computer Science

Instructor:	Tom Bennet
Office:	302 MCC
Phone:	601-925-3815
Email:	`bennet@mc.edu`
Text:	Fluency 5 by Lawrence Snyder
Web Page:	`http://sandbox.mc.edu/~bennet/cs114`

An introduction to information processing. Topics to be covered include computer history, input/output, processing, data storage, application and system software, and the impact of computers on society.

Computers have become a part of all aspects of today's society and if students are to function in this society and become successful in their chosen profession, they need to have an understanding of how a computer works as well as how to use various computer applications. They will also need to understand the field of computer science to recognize the capabilities and limitations of computer systems. Being fluent in information technology involves skills, concepts, and capabilities outlined in this course.

Objectives

After completing this course with a passing grade, the student will

be familiar with the history of computers,
understand the general operation of the central processing unit,
understand the role of input/output devices, and their place in a functioning computer system,
understand the principal types of secondary storage devices and their organization,
understand the purpose, structure and role of an operating system,
understand the basic principles of networking, especially the Internet,
have a basic understanding of the problems involved in programming a computer,
be aware of computer security and privacy issues and risks,
be able to use a conventional workstation with a GUI interface, and operate basic web and office applications, and
have demonstrated this knowledge and skills on examinations and lab assignments.

Stuff You Need

You should have a USB flash driver for the first lab. It is also useful if you don't finish a lab during the class time, and want to keep some files to finish later. When you leave files on a lab computer, they are not certain to be there when you return. It's better to be able to take them with you.

Grading

There will be six regular exams, two written assignments and twelve lab assignments, with two drop grades. The exams will occur a bit less often than once every two weeks. The points for all that are shown below. Final grades are based on your percentage of the total:

Activity		Points
Regular exams (6 @ 40)		240
Lab grades (12 @ 20, drop 2)		200
Written Assignments, 2 @ 40		80
Comprehensive Final Exam		100

TOTAL		620

Points			Percent			Grade
558	-	620	90%	-	100%	A
496	-	557	80%	-	89%	B
434	-	495	70%	-	79%	C
372	-	433	60%	-	69%	D
0	-	371	0%	-	59%	F

The semester point total may vary due to unforeseen circumstances. Any variance will be small. Final grades will be based on these same percentages of the actual total.

Exams missed for good reason may be made up. The reason must be documented. Make-up exams may differ from the originals.

From the MC Catalog:
The University uses the following grading system:

A is reserved for work which is definitely superior in quality.

B is given for work which is consistently good and which manifests sufficient interest, effort, or originality to lift it above average work.

C is given for average work and shows that basic requirements in class assignments have been met. . . .

D earns credit but is below the standard required for graduation.

F indicates failure and naturally carries no credit.

The last day to drop this course is Friday, October 25, 2013.

Labs

The lab assignments are listed on the labs page. Each one is worth twenty points, ten from handing in some product of the lab, and ten from the lab quiz. Lab quizzes are taken on-line, but they are available only in the lab on lab days. The quiz for any given lab is available the day of the lab, and also the next lab day. You must take the lab quiz one of these two days. There will be no additional makeup dates for lab quizzes. The other ten points for a lab may be made up at any time.

If you do not complete a lab during the lab time, consider the balance as homework. You may submit the 10-pt hand-in later without penalty. You will have to take the quiz on that lab day or the next one; these are your only opportunities.

Attendance

Mississippi College class attendance policies as described on pp. 46 and 47 of the college catalog will be enforced. Absences may be excused for illness or other appropriate cause. Exams missed due to circumstances beyond the student's control may be made up at a mutually agreeable time and place. Adequate documentation of the cause of an absence may be required.

Academic Honesty

Mississippi College regulations regarding the integrity of academic work will be enforced. The computer science group has established the following addendum:

In a computer science class individual effort is expected. Student misconduct not only includes cheating on tests, but also extends to copying or collaborating on programming assignments, projects, lab work or research unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Using other people's accounts to do your work or having others do your work is prohibited. Close proximity in lab does not mean collaboration is permitted. NOTE: Discussing logical solutions to problems is acceptable, exchange of code, pseudocode, designs, or procuring solutions from the Web, other texts, the Internet or other resources on or off campus is not acceptable.

First offense: grade of 0 for all parties involved unless the guilty party can be determined. Second offense: grade of F in the course.