Office Hours:
See Weekly Schedule.  Also by appointment.
 

Exam Dates and Times:
Midterm (practical): February 26-27 during regularly scheduled labs
Midterm (in-class):  February 28 during regularly scheduled class
Final (practical):  April 30-31 during regularly scheduled labs
Final (in-class):  May 11 from 2-4 p.m. in Stone B50 (regular classroom)
 

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.
 

Attendance and Other Course Expectations:
Classes meet from 12:30-2 p.m., Tuesday, and Thursday, beginning Tuesday, January 15, except for school holidays, in Stone B50 (705 Commonwealth Avenue).

If you have not done so, you must sign up for a lab. Labs meet once a week. The CS Department Computer Lab is on the 3rd floor of of ENG (730 Commonwealth Avenue).

I expect you to attend class and labs on a regular basis. Accordingly, from time to time, there will be unannounced quizzes in class or lab. The quizzes will test your knowledge of the reading due for that particular class and of the subject matter discussed in recent classes or labs.

Unannounced quizzes may not be made up. Unannounced quizzes will count for 10% of your grade. I will drop the two lowest grades 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).

I also expect you to spend at least two hours per week of your own time, practicing the computer concepts learned in classes and labs. Learning how to use a computer is an integral part of this course. You are unlikely to do well unless you practice.

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.
 

Required Text:
Long & Long, COMPUTERS (8th ed. Prentice Hall 2001) [ISBN 0-13-088236-4]
 

Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments will be given at the beginning of each class for the next class.  Reading assignments are also posted on the Course Web Page.
 

Examinations:
The Midterm Exam (25% of grade) will consist of a written section and a practical (on-the-computer) section. The midterm practical section will take place in your lab. The Final Exam (35% of grade) also consists of two sections, written and practical. The written section is cumulative. I will hold review sessions before the midterm and before the final examination.
 

Homework:
Homework assignments will count for 30% of your grade. Late homeworks will not be accepted. 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.
 

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 fellow, or ask me.
 

Syllabus Subject to Change:
This Syllabus may be revised as necessary as the semester goes along.