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:

• CG1: to acquaint the student with many of the major subdivisions within academic computer science;
• CG2: to provide a standard descriptive vocabulary for these topic areas;
• CG3: to provide a survey of the most important concepts in each topic area.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will have demonstrated the ability to:

• CO1: use correct technical terminology to name and describe the principal hardware and software components of a computer system;
• CO2: understand and be able to carry out the conversion of text and numeric data between "human readable" form and binary form;
• CO3: understand and explain the instruction cycle ("fetch/execute cycle") and its role in the operation of a computer system;
• CO4: use correct terminology to describe the various measurements of capacity and speed relating to a computer system;
• CO5: name and understand the principal classifications of files and software, and the differences and distinctions among them;
• CO6: name and explain the four principal programming paradigms;
• CO7: understand syntax diagrams for the specification of language elements;
• CO8: name the principal functional components of an operating system and describe the main responsibilities of each one;
• CO9: give a general description of such topic areas as database systems and artificial intelligence;
• CO10: give a general description of such topics as software piracy, liability, privacy concerns, and computer security, and current thinking and controversies in each area.

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, 3^rd 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/.).