CS101 - Syllabus

Number and Title of Course: CS101 - Living with Computers

Instructor(s): Wayne Summers - SCA 204

Office Hours: M-Th    10:00 – 10:50, W    3:00 – 3:50, and by appointment
e-mail address: summers_wayne@ColumbusState.edu         

E-mail address for E-JOURNALS: ejournals@cs.nmhu.edu

Course website: http://csc.ColumbusState.edu/summers/NOTES/CS101/

(Phone: (505) 454-3230 or 454-3295)

 

Catalog Description of Course: This course is an introductory survey covering the theory and practice of using computers. Besides learning the fundamental concepts of computer operations, students will study the use of computers as a tool in solving problems and obtaining information. The course will also look at the impact of computers on society. No prior knowledge of computing is assumed. (3 credits - 2 hr lecture and 2 hr lab).

Course Prerequisite: none.

Required Textbook(s):

1)      Computer Confluence Concise Edition, 2nd Edition by George Beekman, Prentice Hall, Inc. Publishing Co.,2001, - ISBN 0-13-092038-X.

2)      Word 2000 & PowerPoint 2000 by Ericson, Prentice-Hall 1999 - ISBN 0-13026150-5.

3)      Selected readings from handouts, computing periodicals and documents found on Internet.

Educational Outcomes

1)      Students will know how to use a computer.

2)      Students will have a framework to build on in using computers in the classroom and in the workplace.

3)      Students will have an understanding of how computers are used in today's technological world.

4)      Students will have an insight into how computers are affecting our daily lives.

5)      Students will be able to use computers in solving problems.

6)      Students will understand what computing is and what computers can and cannot do.

7)      Students will understand the important issues affecting the use of computers in society.

8)      Students will understand the terminology and concepts of computers and their uses.

9)      Students will be able to use a computer as a word processor.

10)  Students will be able to use the information superhighway to access information.

11)  Students will be able use the computer to design and use simple spreadsheet and presentations.

Major Topics

1)      Computers in Context

2)      Hardware Basics

3)      Software Basics

4)      Essential Applications

a)      Word processing

b)      Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation (Spreadsheets)

c)      Graphics, Hypermedia, and Multimedia (Presentation Software)

d)      Database Applications and Implications

5)      Networking and Telecommunication

6)      Internet (WWW, HTML)

7)      Computer Security and Risks

8)      Inventing the Future

Instructional Methods and Techniques

1)      The class will meet for two one-hour lecture/discussion periods and one two-hour lab each week. Much of the discussion time will focus on solving problems individually and in small groups and discussing answers to questions.

2)      The lectures should be conducted using state-of-the-art multimedia techniques including a computer projection system.

3)      There should be facilities for demonstrating software and access to computer networks in the classroom.

4)      Some lectures may be supplemented with videos to allow students access to information not currently available on campus.

5)      The course may also include lectures by invited speakers and visits to local industries and research labs.

6)      The labs should stress hands-on applications by the students.

Assignments for Course

1)      Readings from the textbook(s)

2)      Outside reading from popular computing and information technology periodicals like PC-Week, PC-Magazine, etc.

3)      Readings from documents found on the Internet

4)      Research project

The project will involve research by the student in evaluating computer systems for purchase. Students would be required to visit a store selling computers and compare these computer systems with selections found in periodicals like Computer Shopper and PC-Week. Students would be expected to recommend a computer system including hardware and software based upon their research.

5)      Homework

6)      Electronic journals: Students are expected to:

a.       Find an magazine/newspaper/web article that discusses a concept from the chapter

b.      Write a summary of the article including your own personal views (4 pts.)

c.       Reference/Source – 1 pt.

d.      Discuss what was the most difficult/challenging concept for you in the chapter – 1 pt.

e.       List any terms that you don’t understand from the chapter – 1 pt.

7)      Weekly lab assignments including –

a.       DOS and Windows

b.      Word processing

c.       Using the Information Superhighway to find and use information.

d.      Spreadsheets

e.       PowerPoint

f.        Assignments to manipulate objects on the computer through a set of instructions (e.g. Karel the Robot)

g.       An assignment to the future of computing.

Evaluation

1)      Midterm and Final Exams over the lectures and readings consisting of both non-essay and essay questions

2)      One lab practical exam to test the students' ability to apply what they have learned in the lab

3)      One research project (described in lab manual)

4)      Chapter quizzes

5)      Homework including lab assignments on material discussed in class and lab

6)      The students would be expected to summarize their readings in a journal. These journals must be submitted electronically using e-mail.

7)      The hands-on lab portion of this course is very important. Students must pass the lab with at least 60% in order to pass the course.

8)      There is NO extra credit given in this course.

Midterm (chapters 1-5)

100 pts.

Chapter Quizzes (15 pts. each /drop lowest 1); NO MAKEUP QUIZZES

120 pts.

Final Exam (comprehensive)

200 pts.

Research Paper & Presentation

60 pts.

Homework (9 * 5 pts. each)

45 pts.

Journals (9 * 7 pts. each)

63 pts.

Lab Assignments (13 * 20 pts. each) & Portfolio (50 pts.)

310 pts.

Lab Exam (word processing, e-mail, web)

50 pts.

Class Participation and Attendance (30 pts. for lecture; 20 pts. for lab)

50 pts.

 

Class Attendance: Class attendance is the responsibility of the student, and it is the student's responsibility to independently cover any materials she/he may miss. Class attendance and participation will be used in determining grades.

Grades may be determined according to this scale:

A 90% - 100%

B 80% - 89%

C 70% - 79%

D 60% - 69%

 

 

 

Honor Policy: Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will be given a zero on the assignment or exam. Repeat offenders will be given an F for the course and may suffer expulsion from the university. All work must be your own. You may discuss the material in the course and help one another, however, I expect any work you hand in for a grade to be your own. Plagiarism will result in, at best, an "F" for the assignment. A simple way to avoid inadvertent plagiarism is to talk about the assignments, but don't read each other's work or write solutions together. Keep scratch paper and old versions of assignments until after the assignment has been graded and returned to you. If you have any questions about this, please see me immediately.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR CS101 - LIVING WITH COMPUTERS (tentative)

Week
 
Lecture Topic
 
Chapters
 
Homework
 
Lab Topic
 
1
 
Computer Currents: From Calculation to Communication
 
1
 
Ch 1 Project #4
 
Tour of a Computer: "What's inside the box?"
 
2
 
Continue Ch. 1 & Hardware Basics:Inside the Box
 
1 & 2
 
Ch 2 Project #2
 
Introduction to DOS/Windows/e-mail: "Getting on the computer!"
 
3
 
Continue Ch. 2 & Hardware Basics: Peripherals
 
2 & 3
 
Ch 3 Project #4
 
Continuation of Windows and more e-mail
 
4
 
Continue Ch 3 & Software Basics: The Ghost in the Machine
 
3 & 4
 
Ch 4 Project #1
 
Introduction to Word processing
 
5
 
Continue Ch. 4
 
4
 
 
 
More Word processing (resume)
 
6
 
Computer Applications: Software Tools
 
5
 
Ch 5 Project #6
 
More Word processing / DTP
 
7
 
Continue Ch. 5  / REVIEW
 
5
 
 
 
Spreadsheet
 
8
 
MIDTERM / Networking & Telecommunications
 
6
 
Ch 6 Project #1
 
PowerPoint
 
9
 
Continue Ch. 6
 
6
 
 
 
Introduction to the Internet: "The Information Superhighway"
 
10
 
From Internet to Information Infrastructure
 
7
 
Ch 7 Project #1
 
Exploring the Internet
 
11
 
Continue Ch. 7 & Computer Security and Risks
 
7 & 8
 
Ch 8 Project #1 
More Internet (web page)
 
12
 
Continue Ch. 8
 
8
 
 
 
Karel the Robot
 
13
 
Information-Age Implications: Inventing the Future
 
9
 
Ch 9 Project #1,2,3 or 4
 
Karel the Robot
 
14
 
Continue Ch. 9;
Project presentations
 
9
 
 
 
AI lab
 
15
 
Project presentations Review for Final Exam
 
 
 
 
 
Lab final exam
 
16
 
FINAL EXAM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE:   
 
ALL WORK IS TO BE TURNED IN ON-TIME.  NO EXCEPTIIONS!!!!
 
This syllabus may be changed at any time, at the discretion of the instructor.  However, if any changes are made, students will be notified as soon as possible.