CSC121B    Introduction to Computing and the Web       Fall 2009

Links:   Schedule and Assignments         
              Downloading and installing Scratch on your computer
              Downloading and installing JES on your computer
              Computer Science Department       

Meeting times and place:  Mon., 12-12:50, Hawkins 053B; Wed., Fri., 12-12:50, Hawkins 232

Instructor: Lonnie Fairchild

These office hours may not be convenient for everyone. Students are welcome (and encouraged!) to make appointments for other times.  

Course Content and Objectives
This course introduces some of the core concepts of computer science -- algorithms and symbolic representations -- in several different kinds of situations.  There will be an emphasis on animations,  media computation, and web-based projects, but we will also explore the underlying structure of computers and the logic that underlies their construction.  We will explore digital representations of pictures and how these can be transformed and manipulated by computer programs.   We will cover the basics of the Python programming language and show how it can be used to describe algorithms that create and transform media.   We will look at how the internet and world wide web are used for communication. We will discuss the social transformations resulting from the development and growth of modern computing and their social and ethical implications.  

Course objectives:
   -- To understand the concept of algorithm as the foundation of modern computing;
   -- To gain experience expressing algorithms in programming languages;
   -- To develop the ability to read, understand, modify, and use (through combining provided fragments), programs that work on visual, sound, and text media;
   -- To understand better the role of the Internet and the Web in communication and the impact this is having on society. 

This is a hands-on course.  Students will be charged with combining and transforming programs presented in class to create their own projects.  No programming experience is assumed.  A willingness to explore and be playful will prove useful.

Prerequisites: none

Required Text
Custom edition (i.e. a small subset) of:
Glenn Brookshear, Computer Science: An Overview, Pearson
[This edition is available only through the College Store.  A used copy of the full edition would also be usable, but make sure the price is under $40. An electronic version of the full edition is available for $50]

Useful Reference
J. Elkner, A. B. Downey and C. Meyers, How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python, (free and on-line)

Grading:      The final course grade will be computed as follows:
          Quizzes (6, 25 minutes each).............................30 %
          Assignments......................................................50 %
          Final exam ........................................................10 %
          Class and lab participation (& attendance)..........10 %

Quizzes   There will be six 25-minute quizzes on the Wednesdays: Sept. 2, Sept.16, Sept. 30, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, and Nov. 18.  One or two of these may be replaced by take-home quizzes.   Details on what will be covered will be given before each quiz.

Assignments:  These will be posted on the course website (and on Angel) almost every Monday and due the following week.  Types of assignments will vary and some assignments will have several parts.  Expect the assignments to include the following:
   -- Questions on assigned readings and exercises from the textbook.
   -- Reports and reflections on work done in Monday lab sessions    
   -- Completed web pages and programming exercises started in lab.
   -- Summaries of news articles related to the impact on society of modern computing technology. 
Some assignments will be given a numerical grade.  Others will be graded for completeness and seriousness of effort.  The grading method will be announced with the assignment.    
        All assignments will be available from the course assignments page and will also be posted on Angel.

Course workload: Students can expect to spend 4 to 6 hours per week on out-of-class work (assignments and readings) in order to do well in this course.  

Computer lab use:  The Hawkins computer lab (Hawkins 053B) is open for student use from 8 AM until midnight every day (assuming Hawkins is open; doors are sometimes locked at 11).  Students can use the lab any time it is not in use for a scheduled class.  Your college ID card will open the door.  The software used in the course is all free an can be installed on Windows, MacIntosh, and Linux systems.  Instructions on software installation will be provided.                                    

Class and lab participation (Attendance Policy)   Attendance in class is required.   Students should also show respect for fellow students and the instructor by arriving on time.  In addition to quizzes, there will be regular in-class activities that count in the "class and lab participation" grade.   Students who miss a class or lab are expected to make up the work by the next class. The instructor is glad to help anyone who needs to make up work due to unavoidable emergencies (illness, etc.).  As with quizzes, if an unavoidable emergency comes up and you must miss a class or lab, you must let me know (by email or phone) as soon as possible and (unless the emergency is terrible) before the class or lab.  Final grades will be reduced for each unexcused absence after the first two.

Academic Honesty (Cheating) Policy (rules on acceptable and unacceptable collaboration):
It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.  No collaboration, of any kind, is permitted on quizzes (in-class or take-home quizzes).    In this course, collaboration is strongly encouraged on assignments, but all collaborators must be acknowledged and given credit in writing.  Remember: To avoid being accused of plagiarism through accidentally getting or giving too much help, always credit those you worked with when you submit assignments and programs.

If you have questions on how to interpret the above rules in a particular situation you should consult the instructor.  Any suspected cheating will be investigated.  Penalties can range from a lowered grade to failure in the course or dismissal from the college.

Other  Remember that the course is supposed to be both fun and challenging.  It will be important to keep up with the work and to ask lots of questions so that you spend your  time effectively (and not confused because of small details).

This page last modified on 08/28/2009 .