Computer Science 111.002
Concepts of Computer Science
Spring 2008
MWF 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Engineering Building 1033
Instructor: Bill White
Engineering
Building 3041
(618)650-3483
wwhite@siue.edu
Office Hours:
MWF 9:00
AM-1:00 PM
TR 9:30
AM-10:30 AM
And By
Appointment!
Course Goals and Description:
In response to the pervasive presence of computer
technology in virtually every field of endeavor facing today’s students, this
course provides students with basic literacy in the science of computer
technology. It includes coverage of hardware, operating systems, applications
programming, data communications, database management, algorithm design and
analysis, computability, and the social implications of technology. It emphasizes
scientific literacy, the preparation of students for modern academic and
professional disciplines, and ethical principles as applied to technological
issues.
The emphasis in this course is on the analytic,
problem-solving, and decision-making strategies that characterize the computer
science discipline. It is not a software package training
course, nor is it a programming course. Instead, this course provides an overview
of the science of computers, from the principles behind the computing
mechanisms (the mouse, the keyboard, the monitor, the processor, the memory,
the network), through the algorithmic logic of software design and development,
and up to the scientific foundations of those high-level applications to which
this technology is applied (virtual reality, robotics, networking, etc.).
Grading:
Twenty-five 10-point
quizzes & homeworks
1-2
per week, covering reading material and lecture topics, with an
emphasis on historical perspectives (how did we get where we are?),
scientific principles (what mathematical and scientific foundations are being
used?), technical applications (to what practical use is this scientific
concept being applied?), and social implications (what impact does this have
on society at large?). |
250 |
|
Two 100-point topical papers Each
of these assignments will require you to read a recent computer science
article (selected by the instructor), and to write a two-page summary and a
two-page critique of the article. Each paper will be evaluated on the basis
of its thoroughness (how complete is the coverage of the assigned
topic?), its coherence (how well organized is the presentation of the
material?), and its professionalism (how free from grammatical and spelling
mistakes is the paper?). |
200 |
|
Four 100-point exams One
non-comprehensive exam every 3-4 weeks. |
400 |
|
One 150-point comprehensive final exam |
150 |
|
Total points for course |
1000 |
Class Policies
|
Grading Scale |
|
Academic Misconduct |
|
Attendance |
|
Late Assignments |
||||||||
|
|
Violations
of academic standards such as cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Those determined to have violated those standards will be assigned a failing
grade. (Students wishing to dispute the case should follow normal student
grievance channels.) The
instructor will write letters to the appropriate Department Chairs and Deans,
as well as to the Dean of Students, explaining the circumstances. |
Attendance
is strongly encouraged, but not required. The
material covered during lectures and class discussions shall form the basis
for the exams and the projects. |
There
will be no work accepted late and no unexcused absences from exams.
No makeup exams shall be given for unexcused absences. Exceptions are granted
only for documented medical problems. Occasionally,
students find that a couple of major exams fall on the same date. To
reschedule an exam under such circumstances, arrangements must be made with
the instructor at least one week in advance. |
Tentative
Syllabus
|
|||
Date
|
Reading
|
Topics
|
Reminders
|
|
Monday, 1/14 |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 1/16 |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
|
Friday, 1/18 |
Chapter 2 |
|
|
|
Monday, 1/21 |
|
Martin
Luther King, Jr., Day – No Classes |
|
|
Wednesday, 1/23 |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
|
Friday, 1/25 |
Chapter 3 |
No-Grade
Drop Deadline |
|
|
Monday, 1/28 |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 1/30 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
|
Friday, 2/1 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
|
Monday, 2/4 |
Chapter 5 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 2/6 |
Chapter 5 |
||
|
Friday, 2/8 |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 2/11 |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 2/13 |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
|
Friday, 2/15 |
Chapter 7 |
|
|
|
Monday, 2/18 |
Chapter 7 |
||
|
Wednesday, 2/20 |
Chapter 7 |
|
|
|
Friday, 2/22 |
Chapter 8 |
||
|
Monday, 2/25 |
Chapter 8 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 2/27 |
Chapter 8 |
||
|
Friday, 2/29 |
Chapter 9 |
||
|
Monday, 3/3 |
Chapter 9 |
||