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Computer Science Department cs.salemstate.edu |
SYLLABUS Spring 2009
CSC 200A Survey of Computer Science I 3 cr. [DII]
Prerequisite(s): Fulfillment
of the Basic Mathematics Competency Based Skills requirement and ability to use
standard computer software (e.g., operating system features, word processing,
email, and web browsers).
Instructor: Beifang Yi Office:
MH 208D Phone:
(978) 542-7426
email: byi@salemstate.edu Hours:
TWRF 12:20-1:50pm Web Site: http://cs.salemstate.edu/~b_yi/
TWR
3:20—4:00pm
Section |
Time |
Room |
Final Exam |
01 |
TR 2:00-3:15pm |
MH 303 |
May 8
(Friday), 11:00am—1:00pm, MH 303 |
02 |
WF 11:00-12:15pm |
MH 206 |
May 5 (Tuesday),
11:00am—1:00pm, MH 206 |
Catalog description:
This course provides an overview of
several fundamental areas within the field of Computer Science, introducing
basic vocabulary, central concepts, and typical applications. The areas
surveyed include computer hardware, computer arithmetic, operating systems,
programming constructs, programming languages, information storage and retrieval,
databases, artificial intelligence, and the social context of computing. Three
lecture hours per week. This course satisfies the Computer Literacy
Competency-Based Skills requirement. Not open to students who have
received credit for CSC 200.
Course Goals:
The aims of this course are to help the student gain an appreciation for the breadth and variety within the computer science field and to be better prepared for the technical treatments presented in later courses. Specifically, the goals are:
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will have demonstrated the ability to:
Course
Topics:
The
department-standard list of topics and a general course bibliography can be
found on the Computer Science Department website at http://cs.salemstate.edu/csc200A.htm.
Text(s): (required) Computer Science Illuminated, 3rd
edition. Nell Dale & John Lewis. Jones and Bartlett, 2007. (ISBN
0-7637-4149-3)
Additional references:
·
http://csilluminated.jbpub.com
·
http://cs.salemstate.edu/~b_yi/
·
Concepts in Computing, by Kenneth Hoganson
(2008). Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Cell phones:
Turn the
ringer off, or, better yet, turn the phone off.
Class Attendance:
Class policy is that of the Registrar's office. Aside from college regulations, much of the
material covered in class is not found (in the same form) in the text, so class
attendance and notes are very important. Note that you are at all times
responsible for materials, handouts and assignments discussed in class: if you
miss a class, try to get lecture notes from a classmate and review them before
the next lecture, and check your email and visit the course website
(through the instructor’s homepage) for any notes and/or announcements about
the course progress!
No excuses of any nature will be construed as relieving you
from the responsibility for completion of the work assigned. Each student is
responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all
that goes on in the course (whether or not the student is present).
Final Grade:
Final grade will be determined using the
following grading weights:
Assignments |
60% |
Midterm examination |
15% |
Final examination |
25% |
Attendance is not used to calculate the final grade: however, note that
you are at all times responsible for
assignments and materials presented in class.
Submission
Deadlines / Late Penalties:
There are
specific due dates/times for any assignments and these assignments should be
completed by the deadlines. A penalty of
10% will be applied for late submission for each day. The assignments will
be announced / given in class and/or through course website.
Exams/Quizzes:
There will be a
midterm that is worth 15% of the final grade, and a comprehensive final examination that is worth 25 % of the final
grade.. The midterm will be held in week 8 depending on class progress. The
final exam will be on May 8 (Friday), 11:00-1:00pm for Section 01 and May
5 (Tuesday), 11:00am—1:00pm for Section 02. Note: Make-ups are given for missed
examinations only under exceptional and documented circumstances.
Missed Tests:
Missed
tests will be made up only under extreme conditions/emergency with the proper
documentation. Students who know in advance that they must be absent on an
exam day for an excusable reason should notify the instructor prior to the exam day. Students who
are absent on the day of the exam for an excusable reason should contact the
instructor immediately following
their absence. Makeup work will be permitted only when the instructor is presented with acceptable documentation
for acceptable absences. It is your responsibility to notify your instructor of
any excused absence as far in advance as possible.
Homework Assignments:
There will
be a series of assignments from the textbooks and other sources. Reading assignments will be a part of the
assignments. All assignments are due at
the beginning of class on the dates to be set by the instructor. A 10%
penalty will be imposed for each day (including weekends and holidays) an
assignment submission is late.
One assignment with the lowest grade will be dropped from the
final grading.
Please note that
these assignments constitute 60% of the final grade.
Study
Groups:
While I strongly encourage study groups, I require that
each student hand in his/her answers in her/his own words ‑ if two
answers come out exactly the same, neither will receive credit. Given the nature of most of the homework and
essay questions, it will be almost impossible for two people to come up with
the exact same answer UNLESS copying occurs.
Academic
Integrity:
Academic
Integrity Policy and Regulations can be found in the College Catalog and on the
College's website (http://www.salemstate.edu/academicaffairs/docs/academic_integrity_regulations_2007.pdf).
The formal regulations are extensive and detailed - familiarize yourself with
them if you have not previously done so. A concise summary of and direct quote
from the regulations: "Materials (written or otherwise) submitted to
fulfill academic requirements must represent a student's own efforts". Submission of other's work as one's own
without proper attribution is in direct violation of the College's Policy
and will be dealt with according to the College's formal Procedures.
"Salem State College is committed to providing
equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with
Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act
and to providing all reasonable academic accommodations, aids and adjustments. Any
student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid or
adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately. Students with
Disabilities who have not previously done so should provide documentation to
and schedule an appointment with the Office for Students with Disabilities and
obtain appropriate services."
Please remember that if, for any reason, you decide to
drop this course, you MUST do so officially through the Registrar's
office. The last day to withdraw from a course this semester is Friday, April 17, 2009.
Note: This syllabus represents the intended structure of
the course for the semester. If changes are necessary, students will be
notified in writing and via all regular class
communication mechanisms (class discussion, emails, and/or the instructor’s
website at http://cs.salemstate.edu/~b_yi/.). |