CSc 2010 : Introduction to Computer Science

(Computer Number 1697)
Fall 1999
1:00--1:50 p.m. MWF
Room 309, Classroom South Building

This course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.

Instructor: Dr. Michael Weeks
Office: 732 College of Education building
Phone: (404) 651-0660
Office Hours: MWF 10 - 11 a.m.
Other hours by appointment. Office hours may be canceled occasionally because of meetings, talks, trips, etc.

Web page: http://www.cs.gsu.edu/~cscmcw/csc2010/

Corequisite: MATH 2420 (Discrete Mathematics)

Course Description: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE. "A breadth-first introduction to the discipline of computer science. Topics include algorithmic foundations, hardware concepts, virtual machine concepts, software systems, applications, and social issues." (1998-1999 GSU General Catalog)

Text:

Russell L. Shackelford, Introduction to Computing and Algorithms, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, (ISBN 0-201-31451-7), 1998

Other References:

G. M. Schneider and J. L. Gersting, An Invitation to Computer Science, West Publishing Co., 1999

J. G. Brookshear, Computer Science: An Overview, Addison Wesley Longman, 1997

Dates of Interest:

Last day to withdraw: Friday, October 15.
Final Exam: Monday, December 13, 10:15-12:15

Grading:

Homework Assignments (approx. 7)	1/3	90--100	: A
Quizzes (approx. 7)	1/3	80--89	: B
Final Exam	1/3	70--79	: C
		60--69	: D
		Below 60	: F

Policies:

Grades are rounded to a whole number. For example, an 89.500 will round up to a 90 (A), while an 89.499 will round down to an 89 (B).

See p.48 of the GSU General Catalog. Students are expected to attend all classes in the classroom; roll will be taken. Religious holidays as identified by the Provost and Academic Vice President are one exception; if this is your case, please identify yourself to me.

All questions regarding any graded work MUST be brought to the attention of the instructor within ONE WEEK of when the work was returned to the class.

Incompletes will be assigned only under unusual/special circumstances.

Students with special needs should report to Office of Disability Services.

All work submitted for grading must be the student's own work. Any work turned in with 2 or more student's names on it will have the grade split up between the students. For example, if 2 students turn in work that gets 88%, each student will receive a grade of 44%. Work found to be duplicate but turned in separately will also be split up, with an additional 10% removed from the grade.

You will receive a grade of "W" if you drop this class before October 15.

You will receive a grade of "WF" if you drop this class after October 15. (Unless granted a hardship withdrawal by the Dean of Students).

It is your responsibility to guard your work and dispose of it securely. Make sure that no one else has access to it.

Make-up's must be arranged prior, and will be allowed strictly at the discretion of the instructor. Missed quizzes will be counted as a 0.
There is no make-up for the final exam.

CONDUCT:

Students are responsible for all material covered or assigned in class whether or not it is in the text. I want you to attend every class. Anyone missing approximately 10% of the classes without notifying the professor in advance and obtaining the professor’s concurrence may be withdrawn from the course or receive a lower (possibly failing) course grade at the discretion of the professor; anyone receiving V.A. benefits will be reported to the Dean’s Office in these circumstances.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in the classroom as scholars. It is important to create and maintain a positive learning environment in the classroom. The professor alone cannot create and maintain this kind of environment. It takes the cooperation of everyone in the class to create and maintain a positive learning environment. The professor requests that communications between students should be only in the context of classroom discussions of the material of the course which are led by the professor. Similarly, leaving and reentering the classroom at will is disruptive, and I ask your cooperation in maintaining a good learning environment for all by arriving on time and staying in the classroom. If you must leave, the following policies are used. You may leave the classroom during a class but you do not reenter during that class. If you leave, do not congregate outside the classroom, which can disturb class. Attendance tends to be taken when you aren’t here, so be here the full time that class is in session. (If you have medical problems that you believe pertain to this policy, bring an original signed letter from a physician on the physician’s letterhead stationary and signed by the physician.)

Only myself, any lecturers I invite, any staff I invite to assist with computer operations, and students registered in the class are permitted to be in the classroom during our class time. Other people, pets, etc. can be distractions to me and other students. If you are having difficulties in following the policies for this class, I will remind you once outside of the classroom. A second reminder will be given in class. Thereafter, I will request that the Chair of the Department address your difficulties. Be considerate of your fellow students and of the learning process.

HOMEWORK:

The regular completion of homework assignments is critical to success in this course. Some assignments will be made that will be collected and graded. Other problems will be regularly assigned but not collected or graded and may serve as a basis for discussion.