James Madison University – Department of
Computer Science
CS280A` – Introduction to Computer ScienceCourse Syllabus – Fall 2005
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Instructor – Nancy
Harris (mailto:harrisnl@jmu.edu)
Please see the policies page for class policies: Policies Link Course
Schedule: Course Schedule Link Office Hours
I may occasionally hold “virtual office hours” when
a project is due or before an exam. These
will be posted on Blackboard.
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Helpful Links
CS280A – Advanced Programming - Overview
General Overview: This course is designed for non-CS majors (or potential CS majors) who are interested in learning more about the field of computer science. Topics will include: computing history, personal computing security (e-mail, viruses, scams, and spy-ware), architecture of the computer and its relationship to applications, web page creation using HTML and JavaScript, database creation and use, and algorithmic thinking and problem solving. The course will be taught in an interactive environment with a combination of lectures, in-class exercises and labs. Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites to this class. Overall Objectives: 1. Computing Tools –
Students will identify key elements of the computer system. 2. What is data? –
Students will translate binary code into its numeric or character
equivalent. (Bits and bytes) Students will compare digital and analog
data and describe how data is stored in a computer system. 3. Computing History
– Students will identify the people who contributed to the advancement of
computing and the milestone events in computer history. 4. Using the internet
– Students will use the internet to research and communicate in an ethical,
responsible manner. 5. Problem solving – Students
will write precise algorithms to solve a variety of problems. 6. HTML – Students
will create simple web pages using standard HTML code. 7. Database Usage –
Students will create a simple (no more than 3 table) database and will
perform queries using any Access database. 8. Computer
Programming – Students will animate their HTML web pages using JavaScript
code. Classes will be held in the
classroom one day per week and in the lab one day per week. Classroom days will include lecture and
group activities; lab days will include hands on computer activities. Some homework to prepare for or follow-up
from any of the class activities may be required. We will use Blackboard and
the web as a means of communicating. Included will be the online grade
book, lecture notes, surveys, practice quizzes and assignments. Announcements for class will be made on
the Blackboard announcements page.
Any other announcement that you receive through other means (such as
e-mail) is suspect unless confirmed by Blackboard or the instructor’s web
page in the event of Blackboard failure.
If I send an e-mail to the class as a whole, I will also put the text
into a Blackboard or web announcement. Textbooks and Required Materials Snyder, Lawrence (2004). Fluency with Information
Technology:Skills Concepts & Capabilities.
Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-75491-6. Provides the basic
information for most aspects of this class.
This
book may be obtained from the JMU Bookstore, Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com
among others. Used books are
available, but please do not get the Preliminary Version as it will not match
the text used in class. Backup Media: Whether you use a floppy disk or a memory
stick, it will be important that you have a backup device available to use
when we are doing lab activities.
While you may use Blackboard’s drop box and will submit on
Blackboard’s Assignment submission, sometimes the network goes down and you
need some way to continue working.
Lab machines do not provide a permanent save. When the machine is logged out, your work
is lost. Grading Basis
Generally, I grade
on a 10 point scale: 90 = A, 80 = B, 70 = C, 60 = D, all others F. + and – grades
are assigned to high values and low values in each range.
Students
with Disabilities – If you are a student with a documented
disability, who will be requesting accommodations in my class, please make
sure you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, Wilson Hall,
Room 107 (568-6705) and provide me with a copy of your Access Plan letter
outlining your accommodations. I will
be glad to meet with you privately during my office hours to discuss your
special needs. The sooner you can do this, the better I can assist you in
meeting your learning goals in this course. Students
Responsibility - Students
are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class
schedules on e-campus. The deadline for adding a Fall Semester class without instructor or academic unit
head signatures is You are also responsible for withdrawing from this class if
you choose to do so. I will not drop you if you stop attending,
nor will I automatically give you a WP or WF grade. The “free” drop period ends on Friday, Sept 2, 2005. “W” grades apply after this date. The last date to drop a class with a “W” grade
is Honor Policy – All work submitted for academic credit in this class must conform to the JMU honor code. When in doubt about whether work conforms to the honor policy, please ask before turning in such work for credit. |
