Classes:
Classes meet from 9-11 a.m., Monday through Thursday, beginning Tuesday, May
22. There is no class on Monday, May 28. On Monday through Wednesday, class
will meet in CS 148 (111 Cummington St.).
On Thursday, unless otherwise announced, class will ordinarily meet in the classroom
adjoining the CS Department Lab (730 Commonwealth
Avenue, 3rd Floor).
Statement of Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to turn you into a well-informed and
savvy computer user. Through laboratory sessions and classes, you will
gain hands-on experience using computers. You will learn how to use different
operating systems, create documents, and use local-area networks. You will
learn to navigate the Internet, create a personal Web page, and program
in PHP to add functionality to your Web page. In this course, we will examine
computer architecture, software, information systems, and databases. We
will also consider the technology marketplace, privacy, and other legal
and ethical issues of the computer age.
Office Hours:
MCS Room 269 (111 Cummington St.)
See Weekly Schedule. Also by appointment.
Attendance:
I expect you to attend class on a regular basis. Accordingly, from
time to time, I will give unannounced quizzes. The quizzes will test your
knowledge of the reading due for that particular class and of the subject
matter discussed in recent classes. Unannounced quizzes may not be made
up. Unannounced quizzes will count for 10% of your grade. I will drop the
lowest grade you receive on an unannounced quiz.
In any event, you are responsible for completing all course requirements
and for keeping up with all that goes on in the course (whether or not
you are present).
Required Text:
Long & Long, COMPUTERS (8th ed. Prentice Hall 2001) [ISBN 0-13-088236-4]
Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments will be given at the end of each class for the
next class. Reading assignments are also posted on the Course
Web Page.
Quizzes and Examinations:
The Midterm Exam (20% of grade) is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 at the regular
class time. The Midterm Exam will cover the following topics:
You must attend scheduled quizzes and examinations. If the college is
closed or classes canceled for any reason, the test will be given at the
next class meeting.
Homework:
Homework assignments will count for 35% of your grade. Submit your homework
in the CS homework boxes on the first floor of the MCS building. You must
place your homework in the slot below the counter marked for that purpose.
Late homeworks will not be accepted. No excuses. If you anticipate
that you might have trouble submitting homework, because of homework or tests
in other classes, medical conditions, work requirements, or any other reason,
hand in your assignment early.
Grading:
This course is not graded on a "curve." From time to time, I
will post grade information (without student names) on the course web page.
| Grades Are Computed as Follows: | Grading Scale: |
| Quizzes (10%) | 90.0-100.0 A |
| Homeworks (35%) | 80.0-89.9 B |
| Midterm (20%) | 70.0-79.9 C |
| Final Exam (35%) | 60.0-69.9 D |
| 0-59.9 F |
Please note that grades are not determined by whether you "need" a certain grade to get financial aid, or to graduate, or to maintain your GPA. They are determined solely by the work you do in this course. If you require or expect a particular grade, I encourage you to put in the requisite time and effort.
Computing Resources:
You may complete all of your homework assignments in the CS
Computer Lab, located at 730 Commonwealth
Avenue, 3rd Floor. This is also where you should go to get your CS
computer account. Hours of operation are posted on the door.
Terminal Assistants at the CS Computer Lab can help you with specific questions regarding the use of the lab's computers. T.A.s are not affiliated with any particular class and are not there to help you complete your homework assignments.
You can also use computers at the Main Terminal Room, located in the basement of the MCS building (111 Cummington Ave.). Hours are posted.
If you have your own personal computer, you may be able to complete
the assignments on it. Staff in the PC Support Center, located in MCS Room
B19, will help you with questions or problems concerning your computer.
Hours are posted.
No Make-Ups:
There will be no make-up exams, tests, or homework assignments, except
in documented cases of dire illness. Make-ups are unfair to all those students
who somehow, despite having a bad cold, two other exams on the same day,
a grueling outside job, and [insert your favorite excuse here], managed
to take the test on the scheduled date or hand in the homework on time.
Course Web Page and Mailing List:
Important information will be posted to the Course
Web Page (including hints or other helpful information relating to
exams and homeworks). You should check the course web page from time
to time.
Also, announcements will be made, and questions answered, on the course
mailing list. You are required to join the course mailing list.
First, you need to get a CS account from the staff in the CS
Computer Lab. Then, click on the following web page and follow
the instructions: How
To Add Yourself to the Course Mailing List.
Zero Tolerance for Cheating:
You are not to collaborate with anybody else (whether student, friend, relative,
coworker, or anybody else) on homework in this class, nor may you use any outside
material without attribution. Be aware that, although computers facilitate illegal
copying of homework, computers also can be used to check for similarities between
homeworks handed in and for other types of plagiarism. If I receive two assignments
that are substantially alike in a way that cannot be due to mere coincidence,
I will notify the persons involved and seek an explanation. I am required by
the university to report all cases of cheating to the Academic Conduct Committee.
If you have any questions regarding what constitutes cheating, read the Academic
Code of Conduct, ask a teaching assistant, or ask me.
Syllabus Subject to Change:
This Syllabus may be revised as necessary as the semester goes along.