G E O R G E T O W N   C O L L E G E
CSC107 Fall 2010 Syllabus

CSC107 Introduction to Computer Science [ https://scholar.georgetowncollege.edu ]
A MWF 10:00-10:50am Asher 132, B MWF 11:00-11:50am Asher 132 (and sometimes in the Asher lab)
Dr. Danny Thorne (dthorne0), Asher 121, 502-863-8362
http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/mpc/thorne/

Course Description An introduction to computer science including introductory programming in a high level language, mathematics and computing, and the role and issues of computing in society.

Text Dale and Lewis, Computer Science Illuminated, Third Edition (Online resources: http://csilluminated.jbpub.com/3e/)

Topics We will spend (approximately) the first half of the semester covering chapters 1 through 9 (in varying degrees of thoroughness). During the second half of the semester, we will learn some JavaScript and HTML (which is not in the text). Depending on time, we may also cover some selected material from chapters 10 through 17.

We will follow a natural progression of topics/questions that could be stated simplistically in a list like this: By saying that this list states the progression "simplistically", I mean that some stuff is left out of the list and some aspects of the list are vague or not well explained. I think it is a useful list, though, which, if you revisit it later in the semester, will help you maintain a mental picture of the overall context of the course and how the different parts of the course fit together into a cohesive whole.

Grading Categories and weightings: Homework 0.20, Exam One 0.20, Exam Two 0.20, Exam Three 0.20, Final Exam 0.20.

Numerical scores between 0 and 1 (0% and 100%) are computed for assignments and exams by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible. Scores for categories are computed by averaging the individual scores in the categories. The score for each category is then weighted according to the above weights to give an overall course score between 0 and 1. The overall score for the course is then mapped to a letter grade for the course as follows: [0.925,1.000]-->A, [0.875,0.925)-->AB, [0.825,0.875)-->B, [0.775,0.825)-->BC, [0.700,0.775)-->C [0.600,0.700)-->D [0.000,0.600)-->F .

Check your grades regularly on Moodle. Inform me immediately if you notice anything unexpected (e.g., a missing or incorrect homework grade).

Homework Homework will be assigned and collected regularly. Homework will often be assigned via email and Moodle, not during class. You must check your Georgetown College email daily, preferrably multiple times per day.

Help each other learn and understand the course material, but complete the actual homework independently (see the Honor System section of the Student Handbook http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/studentlife/handbook.pdf).

If you have to turn in homework late, provide a documented reason.

Take pride in the quality of your work. Submit assignments that are neat, organized and thorough.

Store all of your graded homework in a safe place, at least until the end of the semester.

Exams Tentative dates for the midterm exams are Wednesday September 15th, Wednesday October 13th, and Wednesday November 17th. If you must miss an exam and want to make it up, arrange it with me at least a couple of days before the exam date, and provide a documented reason for missing.

Store all of your graded exams in a safe place, at least until the end of the semester.

The Final Exam is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th from 9:00am to 11:00am and Monday, December 13th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm for sections A and B, respectively. It will be comprehensive. Note that your final exam grade can be used to replace one of your mid semester exam grades.

Attendance Your attendance will be monitored. There is no explicit category for attendance in the grading scheme for the course. However, missed exams and homework will affect your grade. Furthermore, attendance will flavor my decisions about borderline scores at the end of the semester.

Office Hours My office hours ( M 3:30p-4:30p, T 2:00p-3:00p, W 3:30p-4:30p, R 1:00p-2:00p ) are posted on my door and on my web page. They might change, so check my door or the web page to confirm. I am at your disposal independently of office hours. You may call ahead, make an appointment, or just drop by and see if I am available. If I am unavailable due to work-related business when you drop by, I will tell you; otherwise, I am happy to see you anytime.

Classroom Policy Do not use cell phones during class, and make sure they are silent during class. When we are in the lab, do not use lab computers for anything unrelated to class (e.g., facebook, games, idle web browsing). Similarly, if you use a laptop during class for taking notes, do not use it during class for anything unrelated to class.
Learning Outcomes The following learning outcomes will be assessed primarily by homework assignments and exams.
  • Demonstrate basic content knowledge consisting of, roughly, chapters 1 through 9 of the course text plus introductory JavaScript programming.
  • Use analytical reasoning skills and problem-solving skills to determine and carry out the appropriate techniques for
    • converting numbers between different bases,
    • representing circuits via circuit diagrams, truth tables and boolean expressions,
    • interpreting small machine language programs,
    • interpreting and writing small JavaScript programs,
    • etc.
  • Read quantitative material (e.g., the course text, course notes, online resources), interpret correctly what has been read, and apply it correctly in all topics throughout this course.
  • Apply creative thinking and written communication skills to communicate precisely and effectively on the quantitative matters that are the focus of this course (as described above).