Instructor: L. W. Ellerbruch
Office: NSF 1109
Telephone: 227-1597
Office Hours: As posted by office door but will include:
11:00 - 11:50 am M W Th F
2:00 - 2:50 pm M W Th F
Other hours by arrangement.
Reed, David, A Balanced Introduction to Computer Science, 2005
CS101 Course Description
This course satisfies the Formal Communication Studies requirement.
These courses are designed to introduce students to the ways in which information and ideas are expressed using a communication system other than English. Such courses should foster the student's ability to conceptualize and communicate in an orderly, rational manner. Characteristics of a communication system include: 1) possession of a grammar; 2) operation from an established set of rules; 3) reasoning properties such as deduction, inference drawing and problem solving. This includes courses in languages and those in which the central focus of the course is on statistics, computers or formal logic.
The course will be built around the rule of "four"; every topic should be presented visually, numerically (factually), abstractly (algebraically) and have a strong emphasis on written communication as much as possible considering the content. In-class work, homework, exams and quizzes, and projects will utilize all four components as much as is reasonably possible. Communication is important and individuals are encouraged to talk about computers and assignments with other members of the class. Cheating is defined as turning in someone else's work as your own. It is not cheating to work with others. Sharing the learning and teaching is an important part of the course.
Technology will be an important component of classroom instruction and learning. Students will use computers. E-mail, mail groups, and the internet will be used extensively.
This course does have a programming component, but there is NO PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Web pages will be constructed using HTML. Javascript will be incorporated into some web pages. If you have considerable programming experience, you may be in the wrong course, check with the instructor.
Computers inevitably involve a great deal of problem solving. The combination of problem solving, learning new languages, and developing new skills often takes a great deal of time. The rewards are commensurate with time and effort. The normal expectation for a course of this nature is that the student will spend a minimum of ten hours a week outside of class and some students will spend substantially more time. Students in CS classes frequently report averaging fifteen or more hours a week outside of class.
All students will acquire and use a university e-mail account. Information will be sent to the students by e-mail. Students will be expected to communicate with each other and the instructor by e-mail. A complete syllabus and up-to-date list of assignments, and other information related directly to the class will be available on a WWW page on the instructor's WWW server.
Calculator
It is probably wise to bring a calculator to class or use the TI-83 emulator which is installed on the laptops. All homework, in-class instruction, quizzes, and exams will assume the student has and can use a calculator. Exam or quiz questions may involve numerical situations which would be difficult if not impossible to complete manually. The student is responsible for making the connection to the material, mathematical ideas, techniques, and technology being used in class.
The laptop may not be allowed to be opened during some quiz/exam situations and it may be required in some other situations during class time.
Laptop and Technology
The laptop is only to be used appropriately in the class. Inappropriate use of the laptop may result in an "F" in the class. For example, using IM during an exam will be cause for receiving an "F" for the course.
It is assumed students will use word processing, editors, and graphing programs on microcomputers to complete assignments/reports/projects/web pages. Students will use e-mail, a WWW browser, mail groups, editors, and various other pieces of software. Demonstration lessons will be provided for the laptop.
In-class exercises and out-of-class exercises will be assigned on a regular basis. It is expected that students will complete all assigned exercises. Some homework sets may be collected. Some homework exercises may be marked. Some homework exercises may be used as quiz items.
Reading assignments will be made, and it is very important to complete them.
There will be in-class discussion and group work. Participation is expected.
Assignments will be made which will require writing. Reports will be submitted electronically. There may be projects which will be completed by groups with only one report for the group, projects which require group problem solving with individual reports, and projects which are independent. Students will be required to make their results/reports/projects available on the World Wide Web.
You are responsible for any material assigned, even if it is not covered during class time. You will be tested on material from the class, from assignments and from other sources. You will be expected to form your own opinions which will be asked for on tests. Your opinion will be evaluated primarily on the justification or basis for the opinion even if the opinion agrees with the instructor's position.
Students will be responsible for instructional material placed on the WWW for them, or assigned to them.
Students are expected to produce quality products. If a student meets the stated requirements for an assignment, but does it in a minimal fashion, the maximum grade for the product will be a "C". To earn a "B" range grade or an "A" range grade there must be reasonable quality in the work.
There may be some opportunity to correct assignments which have errors or are incomplete for some partial grade improvement. Some errors will be required to be fixed before the assignment can be marked.
It is expected and students are encouraged to work together in order to assist each others understanding. But, assignments turned in must be substantially produced and understood by the individual seeking credit. If there is any question about the production, performance, or understanding of a product, the instructor reserves the right to question an individual regarding the details of the product. Inability to explain the product or lack of understanding of the product will be considered evidence for no credit on the assignment. Direct evidence of turning in another individual's work as your own (plagiarism or theft) will result in an 'F' in the course.
Attendance is required. Major exams may be made up only if the absence is excused prior to the absence. Quizes may not be made up.
Exams
There will be exams and quizzes worth 200 - 400 points. There will be a comprehensive final which will be mandatory for all students with less than a "B" average. The final may be optional for those with a "B" range grade or better. The quizes, tests, and final may be of a non-standard format which might include a group component or an on computer component.Quizzes
Quizzes will usually be unannounced and will usually be of very short duration. There may be a quiz any day. Likely material for the quizes will include short answer or essay questions, homework problems, or material emphasized in class.Points
Points are cumulative for all class activities. There will be about:
points
category
200 - 400
Exams: tests, quizzes
200
final
300 - 600
assignments/projects/programs
There will be a five percent penalty per calendar day off the top of an assignment for each day it is late before the assignment is returned and a ten percent penalty per calendar day off the top of the assignment for each day it is late after the assignment has been returned/marked.
There may be some opportunity for bonus points, but they will only apply to the portion of the grade they are earned in and the maximum final score in an area is 100%. That is, bonus points earned in assignments cannot improve test scores.Letter Grades
Point equivalents for assignments receiving letter grades are as follows:
The following is the guaranteed scale for final grades.
GRADE: % equivalent
GRADE DISTRIBUTION
% score: GRADE
A+
99
A
95
A-
92
B+
88
B
85
B-
82
C+
77
C
70
C-
63
D+
58
D
54
D-
52
F+
40
F
30
F-
20
93 -
A
90 - 92.99
A-
87 - 89.99
B+
83 - 86.99
B
80 - 82.99
B-
75 - 79.99
C+
65 - 74.99
C
60 - 64.99
C-
57 - 59.99
D+
53 - 56.99
D
50 - 52.99
D-
0 - 49.99
F
However, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the curve downward slightly to allow for better breaks between letter grades. He also reserves the right to discard one or more quiz grades for every student from the percent calculation, but this is not a guarantee. There may be some opportunity for bonus points.Final
There will be a final exam and all students with an average of less than a "B" range grade will be required to take it. The final may be optional for those with a "B" or better average. The final time will be the scheduled time (from 12:00 to 1:50 pm Wednesday 4 May 2005, unless there is a change or correction in the university schedule) in NSF 1209.
NOTES:
All material in the course is cumulative and once covered in class, or assigned, may be used on any test or quiz.
If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Disability Services Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock (227-1700; TTY 227-1543). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state and University guidelines.