Computer Science 160 Fall WEC Semester 2012
Introduction to Computer Science and Communication
Instructor: Tim Wrenn
Phone: 612-330-1414
Office: Sverdrup 203A
Office Hours: 5:00 – 5:50 PM
Email:
[email protected]
Class: Friday from 6:00 to 9:30 PM in Sverdrup 204 (Mac Lab)
Class Meeting Dates: Sept. 7, 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 30, December 7
Textbook: An Invitation to Computer Science , by Schneider and Gersting, 6
thEdition, Copyright 2013, Course
Technology
Lab Manual: An Invitation to Computer Science , 5
thEdition, by Lambert and Whaley
Student Companion Website:
http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781133190820&token=
Publishers Website:
http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/ISBN/9781133190820?cid=APL1
Course Description:
An introduction to computer science topics in hardware, software, theory, and computer communications:
algorithm design, logical circuits, network concepts, the Internet, and programming.
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of the course you be able to:
a) Use algorithmic problem solving.
b) Use pseudocode to write correct algorithms.
c) Understand sequential, conditional, and iterative operations.
d) Understand how to choose the best algorithm to use to solve a problem.
e) Understand the different numbering systems: base 10, base 2(binary), base 8(Octal), and base 16 (Hexadecimal). f) Understand Boolean logic and Boolean gates.
g) Design electronic circuits using part f.
h) Understand the Von Neumann architecture (I/O, ALU, CU, and memory) i) Understand network concepts and how this relates to the Internet
k) Write simple computer programs utilizing a high-level programming language.
The Best Way to Reach Me:
Email is the best way to contact me.
I reserve the right not to assist you outside of normal office hours. Make an appointment if it is not possible to see me during regular office hours. Please notify me if you need to cancel the appointment or if you are going to be late. The best way to contact me is via email at [email protected].
Note: I am not available 24/7. When you email me with a question I will promptly respond when I access my email
account, but I do not check my email on Saturday’s or Sunday’s. I reserve this time to spend with my family.
Class Lectures:
Class lectures will consist of using PowerPoint notes, whiteboard, and example problems. In addition, you will be asked questions on how to solve problems on a daily basis during the lecture. During the course of the lecture you will be allowed to work on your upcoming lab assignments. The times this will occur will be around 8:45 to 9:30. Please take advantage of this time because you can ask me questions about the directions, what is required, etc. during this time.
Classroom Etiquette:
1. All cell phones, pagers, pda’s, blackberry’s, smart phones, etc. should be on silent ring or turned off. These devices can be answered in case of an emergency.
2.
Laptops are not allowed during the lecture.3.
Conversation between students should be respectful of the other students in the class.4.
Stay off the internet during lecture.Lab Assignments
Labs will be assigned from the lab manual that comes with your textbook. These labs will be worth 15 points
each.
Homework Assignments:
There will be three homework assignments given during the semester. All assignments should be
word-processed whenever it is possible. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the day
that they are due.
Late assignments will not be accepted
.
Each homework assignment will be worth 20
points.
Exams:
There will be 2 one-hour comprehensive exams and a comprehensive final exam.
Each hour exam is worth 100 points and the final is worth 150 points.
All hour exams will begin at 8:30 P.M. and end at 9:30 P.M.
Final Exam: Friday December 7 from 7:30 P. M. to 9:30 P.M. From 6 to 7:15 PM will be a review session.
Grading Scale:
You will receive a grade commensurate with the sum of your test scores, lab assignments, and homework
assignments which will be expressed as a percent of total possible points. Grades will be awarded according to
the following scale:
4.0 --- 92% or above
3.5 --- 86 - 91%
3.0 --- 79 - 85%
2.5 --- 72 - 78%
2.0 --- 58 – 71%
0.0 --- below 58%
While I expect to follow these guidelines in grading, I also reserve the option to make discretionary adjustments
in all grading decisions.
Make-Up Exam Policy:
If you know in advance that you will miss a test we can make arrangements ahead of time for you to take it.
But if you actually miss a test you can't make it up. That's the bad news. The good news is that I will count the grade on the Final Exam as the grade for the missing test. So if your car doesn't start or your child gets sick don't worry about the test. Take care of whatever needs to be taken care of. If you really did know the material all you have to do is show me on the Final.
On the other hand, I don't want anyone to deliberately miss a test so they can gamble that they'll do better on the Final than they would have on that test. So even if you don't miss a test I will replace your lowest test grade with your grade on the Final, if the Final isn't your lowest test grade. How's that for a tongue twister? What this means is that you can get a lot of extra credit points by doing better on the Final than you did on your worst test. This makes sense to me because if you know the material at the Final, even if you didn't when you took the test, I want to give you some credit for that.
Incidentally, don't miss two tests. I'm only counting the Final as the grade for one of them.
Attendance Policy:
Consistent with the Augsburg for Adults attendance policy, you should make every effort to attend all class sessions unless illness, emergencies or unavoidable business travel prevent you from doing so. With only eight class sessions and a large amount of material to be covered, missing even a single class can have an adverse effect on your learning. If you have to miss more than one class session you should consider taking the course at another time. In any event, please let me know in advance if you need to be absent
Augsburg Policies:
This course will be conducted in a manner consistent with all Augsburg College policies, including those related to any form of discrimination or harassment, making accommodations for students with disabilities or special needs, and any other general policy of the College. Students should review the Augsburg Student Guide and/or contact the instructor or the College administration with any questions.
Course Calendar (all dates are Fridays):
This schedule is a guide only, and will be adjusted as necessary for course pacing and to achieve appropriate emphasis on subject matter. Complete the reading assignments before your class session and read the chapters again after your class session. This method of study greatly enhances your understanding of the material.
Tentative Class Schedule
Chapter Lab Lab Due
Dates Readings Asg Date
7-Sep-12 1, 4 1, 4 21-Sep 21-Sep-12 4,5 5,9 5-Oct
5-Oct-12 2 2,3 19-Oct 19-Oct-12 3 5 2-Nov
2-Nov-12 6 10 16-Nov 16-Nov-12 Python Python Lab 30-Nov 30-Nov-12 7,8 11,12 7-Dec
7-Dec-12 Final
Exam Dates:
19-Oct Exam One over Chapters 1, 4, and 5
30-Nov Exam Two over Chapters 2, 3, and 6
Homework Assignments
HW 1 Chapter 4 Pages 184-185 1b --- 2 pts, 3b --- 2 pts, 4c --- 2 pts,10 --- 1 pt 15 --- 4 pts, 18 --- 4 pts, 19 --- 5 pts
To receive full credit for #19 you must have the Truth table, boolean expression, and the circuit.
Due Date: 5-Oct
HW 2 Chapter 2 Pages 75-76 2 --- 3 pts, 6 --- 3 pts, 6 --- 3 pts, 7 --- 5 pts 11 --- 6 pts
Due Date: 2-Nov
Due Date 7-Dec
Instructor Comments:
You are responsible for all lecture notes, assignments, and announcements given in class when you are absent or tardy.
Students will show respect for others in the class by not talking while the instructor is lecturing. You are responsible for any material discussed during the lecture that does not appear in the textbook. Where the book and lecture disagree, the lecture will take precedence.
You should plan to spend 3 to 5 hours a week outside of class and lab working on the computer to understand all of the concepts presented. This does not include the reading of the textbook and normal hours used for studying.
