CSCI 1101: Introduction to Computers and Programming

Syllabus, Spring 2018

 

Instructor:  Dr. Susan G. Glenn

Phone Number:  (678) 359-5840

Email address:  sglenn@gordonstate.edu

Office Location: Instructional Complex, Room 241, Gordon State College

Office Hours:      Monday:               3:00 – 3:30 pm.

                                Tuesday:               1:00 – 2:00 and 3:15 – 4:15 pm.

Wednesday:         3:00 – 3:30 pm.

Thursday:            1:00 – 2:00 and 3:15 – 4:15 pm.

                                Friday:                  3:00 – 4:00 pm.

                                Online office hours: Monday 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

                          

Class Meetings

       Location:  Online

       Dates:  1/10/2018 - 05/03/2018

       Time:  Online, but must come to campus for the Final Exam on:

Section A: Thursday, 5/3/2018 at 5:00 – 7:00, in 1st Floor IC lab

Section A1: Thursday, 5/3/2018 at 7:15 – 9:15, in 1st Floor IC lab

 

Please check your schedule to determine which section you are in.

 

Course Description

       An overview of computers and an introduction to programming for the non-computer science major, introducing the keyboard, mouse, text editor, Internet, email, simple data types, program control structures, logic operators, and file storage.

 

Course Objectives

       These objectives are directed toward the following general education expected outcomes of the college:

       1.  Analytical and Critical-Thinking Skills:  Students should be able to reason and the think analytically in solving problems and making decisions.

       2.  Mathematical Skills:  Students should be able to understand and apply fundamental mathematical concepts in solving problems.

       3.  Communication Skills:  Students should be able to read and listen with understanding and to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and speaking.

       4.  Information Technology Skills:  Students should be able to appropriately use computer software in solving various problems and accomplishing various tasks.

 

Upon completion of CSCI 1101, students should have an understanding of:

       1.  Communications and networks: email, Gordon College network

       2.  Text editors

       3.  Number systems:  binary and decimal

       4.  The hardware components of a computer system:  the CPU, memory, and I/O devices

       5.  The Internet and World Wide Web:  search engines, browsers

       6.  The basic components and structures of a programming language, specifically the C++ programming

            language

       7.  Sequential statements

       8   Conditional statements

       9.  Repetition statements

 

Prerequisite

       Exemption from or completion of Learning Support Math

       Note: Typing skills are not required, but are extremely useful for this class.

 

Required Textbooks

Computer Science Illuminate 6th Edition.  Nell Dale, and John Lewis, (2011). Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, Massachusetts.  Earlier editions will work well too.  Just be mindful of minor differences such as page numbers.

 

Grading

                                                                 

There is a maximum of 449.5 points for the entire course.  Points are awarded for:

 

·        15 assignments – 74.5 points total. Point values vary for differing assignments,

·         3 tests – 55 points each for tests 1 and 2, and 65 points for test 3, making a total of 175 points,

·         and the Final exam – worth a total of 200 points.

 

Letter grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

 

Points                     Grade

408 – 449.5             A (notice you must have slightly more than 90% to make an ‘A’)

359 – 407                 B

314 – 358                 C

269 - 313                  D

Less than 269          F

                                     

Assignments - There will be fifteen assignments for certain chapters during the semester. These assignments include, but are not limited to, problem sets, terminology, and computer programs.  All projects are due on the date due.  Late projects will not be accepted past the due date for any reason.

 

Due dates can be found on the “cover sheet” for each assignment as you access it within BrightSpace.  You will have a range of dates in which to complete each assignment, so check on these dates frequently.

 

 

Note:  Assignments can and should be completed well before the final due date.  In fact, it is EXPECTED that assignments be completed during the week in which they are given.  GAView divides the assignments according to each week of the semester, and the schedule at the end of this document also indicates which topics are covered each week. Students are EXPECTED to complete them well before the due date. ONLINE STUDENTS: Please remember that power outages and a variety of technical problems can occur at any time.  Do not wait until the last minute to complete a tests or assignment.  If one of these problems occurs and the due date and time pass, there is nothing I can do about it.  So, plan to complete everything at least one day before the due date to allow time to solve such problems.  Due dates for this course are VERY reasonable, so having things completed one day early should always be easily accomplished.

 

Tests

 

       There will be three tests during the course of the semester.  All tests are required and none can be dropped. Online students will be given a deadline for completing each test along with the assignments related to the test. These due dates are firm, with NO EXCEPTIONS.  I strongly suggest completing tests and assignments well before the deadline to allow for the unforeseen and unexpected.

 

Final Exam

 

       There will be a comprehensive final examination. All Online students are required to come to campus to take the final exam.  Be sure to plan for this.

 

 

Extra Credit Policies

 

      This course already involves a substantial workload, and it is the instructor's philosophy that students need to focus on the work already assigned rather than taking on additional work.  Therefore, there will be no extra credit assignments offered.

 

      

 

Computer Lab Facilities

 

       Note that the labs exist only to provide access to the college's computer facilities for all students.  The labs do NOT provide tutorial assistance with your coursework. The lab staff is responsible for keeping the computer hardware and software functioning properly and monitoring lab usage, not for helping you with your assignments. Although the lab assistants will try to answer your questions about using the computer system, they are not familiar with your assignments, and many of them do not know the materials we are working with. If you are having trouble with an assignment, you need to call or visit me for help.

 

      If you have your own computer at home or work, with appropriate software available, you may certainly use that computer for your assignments.

 

  Academic Integrity Policy

 

       Cheating and/or plagiarism in this class is not tolerated. Students are expected to adhere to the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the Gordon College Academic Catalog.  All assignments for this course are to be substantially the work of the individual student whose name appears on the submitted assignment, unless the assignment is specifically indicated, in writing, as being a group assignment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit the correct work.

 

       Students are permitted to discuss assignments with one another and assist one another with minor problems as they work on assignments. However, each student is to complete his or her own work. This allows you to consult with and assist one another as you work on assignments, though your final product is to be your own work. In working on your assignments, you should be extremely careful about giving another student a copy (preliminary or final) of your work or showing another student your work, as this leaves both of you open to a charge of plagiarism.

 

       Any instances of two or more individuals turning in assignments which are identical, either in form or logic, will be regarded as cheating.

 

ADA Services: To qualify for ADA Services, you must get approval and documentation from Student Affairs-Counseling.  The office is located in the Student Center, second floor, and the phone number is 678-359-5585.

 


Tentative Course Schedule – CSCI 1101, Spring 2018

(Please notice all weeks begin on Wednesdays)

Week          Date                     Chapter/Topic

   1               1/10/18                 Introduction

   2              1/17/18                 Chapter 1

   3              1/24/18                 Chapter 2

   4              1/31/18                 Chapter 2

   5              2/07/18                 Chapter 3

   6              2/14/18                 Test 1

   7              2/21/18                 Chapter 4

   8              2/28/18                 Chapter 5

Midterm, Monday, March 5th,  – last day to drop with a grade of ‘W’

   9              3/07/18                 Chapter 6

  10             3/14/18                 Chapter 6

Spring Break, March 19th through March 23rd

  11             3/28/18                 Chapters 10 & 15

  12             4/04/18                 Test 2, Chapter 7

  13             4/11/18                 Chapter 13

  14             4/18/18                 Chapter 14

  15             4/25/18                 Chapter 17

  16             5/02/18                 Test 3, Last day of classes, Finish up

Final Exams:

Section A:  Thursday, 5/03/18,                 5:00 – 7:00 pm              IC 1st Floor Lab

Section A1: Thursday, 5/03/18,                 7:15 – 9:15 pm              IC 1st Floor Lab

No other final exams are scheduled for this day and time, so online students should have no conflicts with this schedule unless it is with another online class. Please plan accordingly.