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![[Requirements]](../graphics/reqbtn.gif)
![[Grading]](../graphics/grading.gif)
![[Policies]](../graphics/policy.gif)
Class Meeting
| Instructor: | Julia Benson-Slaughter | |
| Semester: | Spring Semester 2010 | |
| Section 200: | MW 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Room E-0280, Dunwoody Campus |
| Section 202: | MW 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. | Room E-0280, Dunwoody Campus |
| Section 205: | TTH 2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room E-0280, Dunwoody Campus |
Course Description
This course provides an overview of selected major areas of current computing technology, organization, and use. Topics surveyed include the history of computing, data representation and storage, hardware and software organization, communications technologies, ethical and social issues, and fundamental problem-solving and programming skills. Hands-on projects enhance and reinforce the ideas presented in class.
Course Requirements
Prerequisite
Exit or exemption from all Learning Support and ESL requirements
Note: Typing skills are not required, but are extremely useful for this class. If you cannot touch-type at least 20 words/minute with fewer than three errors, you are strongly urged to spend some time working with typing tutorial software. Such a program is available online at keybr.com or on computers in the Georgia Perimeter College computer lab.
Textbook and Supplies
- Textbook bundle, ISBN 0763785857, containing
- Computer Science Illuminated, Fourth Edition. Nell Dale and John Lewis (individual ISBN 9780763776466).
- Explorations in Computer Science, Second Edition, lab manual with CD. R. Mark Meyer (individual ISBN 0763738328).
Note that both bundle items are required for this course.
- A portable memory stick/flash drive, minimum size 1GB, for running non-standard software and saving your lab and class work. This will be ESSENTIAL in order to work on the programming component of the course. Please have this by the second class meeting, as that is when we will set it up with most of the software you will use.
- One pack of green Scantron sheets for tests.
Communications
I frequently make announcements and reminders of due dates and other important events at the beginning of class. These announcements and updates will normally also be posted at the GPC Computer Science Forum. You are expected to check the CSCI 1300 section of the forum on a regular basis for general updates and information. Individual questions and requests should be addressed to me either in person or via email.
Assistance
- I hold regular office hours on class days, where any student can drop in to ask questions and get help.
- I am also available outside of office hours for limited assistance via email, instant messenger, or telephone. Emails and phone calls will receive a response as soon as reasonably possible; however, at certain times, particularly weekends, it may be as much as 48 hours before I can get back to you. There is a contact form here on the website for sending emails. Most contact information is posted online; additional contact information will be given out in class at the first meeting.
- The GPC Computer Science Forum is an excellent resource for finding answers to your questions as well as asking questions of other students who have taken or are taking your class. It additionally is a growing source of information for general computing concerns that are not specifically related to class content. All students in this class are expected to register for the forum and make use of it. I do monitor the forum and answer questions of general interest there, so don't be surprised when one of your emailed questions ends up there for everyone's benefit.
- Additionally, limited free tutoring in computer science may be available (pending funding) in the ISS lab on the top floor of the Learning Resources Center. The times when the computer science tutor is available are posted in the ISS lab and in the classroom. This is the only additional tutorial help in computer science provided by the college. The college does not provide referrals to or references for paid outside tutoring; if you need to find such an individual you will need to do so on your own.
Grading
Summary of Grading
| Item | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 45% |
| Tests | 30% |
| Final exam | 25% |
Assignments
Assignments consist of all the in-class and outside work for a particular topic. Assignments are organized by unit, each unit covering a major topic.
| Assignment type | Points credit |
|---|---|
| Homework exercises | 10 points per question, including extra credit questions |
| Essays | 50 points (40 points for content; 10 points for writing mechanics/spelling/grammar) |
| Labs |
10 points per exercise for labs in lab manual (10 - 50 points total for a lab) |
| Projects | 100 points or as indicated for the specific project. |
Most, though not all units, will include a specific, related, social or ethical issue for study and discussion. For each of these issues, you will need to read the relevant material from the textbook or indicated web sites, further investigate the issue on your own, and write up your findings in a minimum one-page essay. Essays are due as specified on the course schedule, and are graded both on how well you support your position and your writing mechanics.
For the entire semester, there will be approximately 1300 points credit for assignments, not including extra credit, available. You will receive periodic updates of how many points you have earned so far, out of the maximum possible so far.
Late work and resubmissions
All work is to be turned in at the beginning of the class when it is due. Any work which is turned in late will receive a penalty of ten percent deducted off the top from the grade for every class that the assignment is late. No work will be accepted more than two class periods late under any circumstances. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of and keep up with due dates for work.
Once assignments have been submitted, graded, and returned, they may optionally be corrected and resubmitted for FULL ADDITIONAL CREDIT within two class days (one week)of their return. Note that this only applies to assignments, not tests, and only points lost due to incorrect answers may be regained this way. Late points may NOT be regained by resubmission.
Requirements for submitting assignments
All assignments should include the student's name and section number. No other information is necessary. All work should be submitted on paper unless the assignment specifically states it should be handed in electronically.
- Homework exercises may be neatly handwritten or typed.
- Essays and projects must be typewritten or printed, double spaced, single-sided, with no larger than one inch margins, using a font no larger than 12 point. Essays must be a minimum of ONE FULL PAGE of content, NOT counting headings and reference citation. I am very strict about this so be aware -- not following these directions will mean a minimum one letter grade reduction on the essay's grade. Handwritten essays will be returned UNGRADED, and will be counted late when resubmitted.
- Labs should include the answers to lab exercises, neatly handwritten or typed, plus printouts of all specified screenshots.
Tests and Final Exam
Classes with two meetings per week will have three in-class tests during the semester. Summer semester classes will have two in-class tests during the semester. At least one test will be given and returned before the midpoint of the semester. The tests together account for 30% of your course grade.
There will be a comprehensive final examination at our scheduled final examination period in our regular classroom. This final examination accounts for 25% of your course grade.
All tests are required. No test grade can be dropped.
Missed tests
There is no provision for making up missed tests due to lack of facilities for doing so. In a case where a student misses a test due to illness, a death or serious illness in the immediate family, scheduled court appearances or other similar legal events, or an unexpected and unchangeable work conflict, the student may be allowed to substitute the final exam grade as the missed test grade at the instructor's discretion. Students will be required to produce written documentation in support of their request (e.g. a note from the doctor or supervisor; a copy of a legal summons, etc.).
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. Limited extra credit opportunities are available as follows:
- Extra credit may be available on selected assignments for work above and beyond the minimum requirements. Extra credit on assignments generally requires thought above and beyond minimum requirements for the course, and your answers are graded based on how well you support your answer. Simple yes or no answers to these problems will NOT be given credit.
- Extra credit questions are often incorporated into the tests or on the final exam.
- Students with no more than one absence will receive two points extra credit added to their final average. Students with no more than two absences will receive one point extra credit added to their final average. For this purpose, coming late to class or leaving class early twice will count as one absence.
- Students who actively partipate on the GPC Computer Science Forum will receive one point extra credit added to their final average.
- Students who actively participate in classroom activities and discussion will receive one point extra credit added to their final average, at the instructor's discretion.
- Note that friending me on Facebook/following me on Twitter will NOT earn you extra credit. They are, however, reasonable ways to communicate with me outside of class.
Grading Scale
Letter grades for the course are based on a standard 100-point grading scale, with 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, below 60 = F.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policy
Regular attendance is the most critical factor in your success in this class. You are expected to attend all classes and examinations as scheduled, and to remain in attendance for the full class period.
As per college requirements, attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. Your course grade will not be penalized for poor class attendance; however, an excellent attendance record will be rewarded with extra credit at the end of the term (see above).
Students will not be withdrawn or dropped from class by the instructor if they have attended at least one class meeting. Any student wishing to withdraw from the course must submit a withdrawal form to the Registrar's office by the published deadline. Students withdrawing before the midpoint of the semester will receive a grade of "W". Students withdrawing themselves after midpoint will receive a grade of "WF".
