Survey of Computer Science

CSCI 103, Section 01
Fall Semester 2007

Instructor

Course Description

Required of all computer science majors before taking any course beyond CSCI 202.
The computer is examined as a machine, problem-solving tool, and information repository. An overview of the discipline of computer science is presented. Students will receive hands-on experience with the computing facilities at The Citadel, and they will learn how to research technical topics and present the results in written and oral form.

Course Objectives

• To familiarize the student with computing and academic support resources available within the department and the college.
• To provide an overview of the various subdisciplines of computer science.
• To acquaint the student with the basic organization of a modern computer system.
• To introduce the computer science faculty and provide a brief summary of their expertise.

Grading

The final grade for the course is based on 5 grades as follows:

• Two assigned in-class tests. Each test counts as a separate grade.
• Daily quizzes and labs – collectively count as 1 grade. Lowest two grades will be dropped in computing the quiz/lab grade.
• Term paper – counts as 1 grade.
• Final Exam – counts as 2 grades.
• Lowest grade from above 6 grades will be dropped. If the lowest grade is the final exam, only one of the two associated grades will be dropped.

Miscellaneous Grading Policies

1. Students are required to work individually on all work done outside of class. Joint work is forbidden. Assistance from anyone other than the instructor, a librarian, or the writing center staff is also forbidden.
    
2. Each lab will be due one week after it is assigned unless noted otherwise by the instructor. Late labs, for whatever reason, will be lowered by one letter grade, and labs more than one week late will not be accepted. This same late policy applies to the term paper.
    
3. Homework will be assigned but not collected. Daily quizzes will come directly from the material covered in the previous day's class, often from the homework assignments.
    
4. Class attendance and participation can influence borderline grades.
    
5. A total of three absences will result in a course grade of F. With respect to this policy, three lates count as an absence. In addition, if you are late by 15 minutes or more you will be considered absent.
    
6. Incomplete grades are given only in unusual circumstances. Consult the catalog for policy on incomplete work.
    

Textbook

J. Glenn Brookshear, Computer Science: An Overview (Ninth Edition), Addison-Wesley, 2006.

Also:  Course Notes and Handouts

Schedule

Thursday, 1:00-2:15 p.m., Thompson Hall 303.

Office Hours

Other times by appointment

Important Dates

Expectations

1. Do not miss the assigned tests without a valid excuse! Missing an assigned test without a valid excuse will result in a grade of zero for that test. The instructor gets to determine whether or not an excuse is valid. In particular, guard duty is not an acceptable excuse for missing an assigned test. When possible, students should notify the instructor in advance if they will be unable to take an assigned test. All make-up tests will be given outside of normal class time. Once a test has been given in class, any subsequent make-up tests may differ significantly.
    
2. Show up for class on time and prepared. That means that you have read the appropriate sections from the book plus any handouts, and you have worked all assigned homework. If a test has been assigned, you should be prepared to take the test. If you were absent from the previous class meeting, you are responsible for getting class notes and assignments from another student in the class or from the instructor.
    
3. Take care of any personal needs outside of class time. Except for emergencies, you should not need to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, etc. If you need to leave the room at any time while class is in session, you should ask for permission.
    
4. There should be no personal conversations or moving around during class without explicit permission. These actions are disturbing to other students and to the instructor. Be courteous and respect the rights of others.
    
5. You should respect the property of your college. No eating, drinking (other than water), smoking, dipping, chewing tobacco, etc. in the classrooms. Also, no writing or carving on the desks, chairs, podium, etc. Any willful vandalism or destruction of Citadel property will be dealt with severely.

Daily Schedule