Instructor:	Tom Bennet
Office:	302 MCC
Phone:	601-925-3815
Email:	bennet@mc.edu
Text:	Fluency 7 by Lawrence Snyder
Web Page:	https://sandbox.mc.edu/~bennet/cs114v2/A/syl.html

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

It can be useful to have a USB jump drive to save lab files, particularly if you need to finish a lab as homework. When you leave files on a lab computer, they may not 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: 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.

Each lab is worth 20 points: 10 points for work to hand in, plus 10 points for the lab quiz. If you don't finish the handin part during lab, you may complete it as homework and submit it later. The quizzes are more limited: you must take the lab quiz in class on the day of the lab, or at the next lab. You must take the quiz at one of these two times; there is no opportunity to make up lab quizzes.

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

The last day to drop this course is Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

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.

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.