CS3 syllabus

CS3 - Introduction to Computers

David Morgan

http://classpage.dmorgan.us/cs3.htm

Prerequisites		none

Required Textbook		Discovering Computers 2016 by Vermaat et al., ISBN: 978-1-3053-9185-7 or 1305391853


Catalog Description		This is a beginning course intended for students who plan to take additional computer programming or computer science courses. Emphasis in the course is divided between a broad survey of the field of computer information sys- tems and the acquisition of computer skills necessary for more advanced classes. Such skills would involve use of the operating system, file management techniques, use of an editor, and an introduction to programming.

Grades for the course are determined as a weighted average over a series of homework assignments including programming exercises, quizzes, and tests. As assignments are completed, grades to-date will be published on the class website (above), giving the weighting for each. In past semesters there have usually been 2 tests (including final), half a dozen quizzes, and a similar number of assignments. While there might be variation this is representative.

Averages are mathematically quite sensitive to missing terms. There can be a full-grade swing, everything else equal, between a zero- and a hundred-point score on a single assignment. Avoid zero-point scores by doing every assignment and gaining points for it (skipping results in zero). While a score of 50 may be considered poor it is much better than just skipping an assignment altogether and having 0, in terms of numerically upholding your overall average.

Grading Scale:

A 90 -100%
B 80 - 89
C 70 -79
D 60 - 69
F Below 60%

Website and course content - http://classpage.dmorgan.us I will use this website to communicate with you, in conjunction with the Canvas learning management system. You are responsible for awareness of the information posted here, e.g., announcements and grade reports. Access the website from any internet-connected browser anywhere.

Academic dishonesty - The SMC Honor statement, signed by each student upon enrollment, reads: "In the pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life, I commit myself to respect and uphold the Santa Monica College Honor Code, Code of Academic Conduct, and Student Conduct Code. I will conduct myself honorably as a responsible member of the SMC community in all endeavors I pursue."

Please be extremely careful that you do not engage in any behavior that could even be construed as cheating. Violations could result in failing grades, reports to the Campus Disciplinarian, and subsequent academic disciplinary action. Examples of behaviors that are not permitted include but are not limited to: copying another student's homework, inappropriate language or physicality in the classroom, and inappropriate behaviors during an exam (talking with another student, looking at or copying from another student's paper, using a disallowed PDA or calculator, using disallowed notes, leaving the room without prior permission, removing exam materials from the classroom). Honest and ethical students are protected in this class.esults in automatic zero on the affected work and automatic issue of an Academic Dishonesty Report Form. The Form enters your record along with regular grades to indicate your dishonesty. I am exerting an honest effort to contribute to your education for your benefit. If you intend to repay it with deception drop the class.

Title IX

Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Students who have experienced some form of sexual misconduct or discrimination are encouraged to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need.
To learn more about support available for students, contact Lisa Winter, Compliance Administrator Title IX Coordinator, at 310-434-4225.

Incompletes

A grade of "Incomplete" may only be granted at the very end of the term, when 90% of the course work has been satisfactorily completed by the student, but an unforeseen event or illness prevents the student from completing the coursework. "Incomplete" grade situations are extremely rare, and are entirely at the discretion of the instructor

Emergency Preparedness

The safety of students at SMC is a priority. Please note that emergency procedures are posted in this classroom and every classroom. Also, procedures for various emergencies are
delineated on the SMC website: https://www.smc.edu/administration/emergency-preparedness/index.php

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these procedures today, when knowledge of what to do can be the most effective.

Makeup work - Assignments: not accepted after due date. Makeup tests: will not be given. Test grades will not be dropped. If the final exam is missed you will not pass the course.

Drop policy - Students are responsible for maintaining their own enrollment status. Students may drop the course with a W for the first portion of the class calendar. It is NOT possible to drop the class after that point. Students should check the Dates and Deadlines link under the "Semester dates and calendar" heading below for specific drop dates. Leaving yourself officially enrolled without submitting the required work results in an F.

Office hours - I will hold a few optional Zoom meetings, for unstructured free discussion with no formal agenda. They can serve as general purpose office hours for
both your purposes and mine. In them we could for example discuss whatever topic you are studying that week, based on questions you might raise. I might
perform a related demonstration. These will not be lectures, but if there is something of interest about the topic that I want to tell you I might talk about
it briefly. The course requires nothing that has fixed schedule. So these meetings will be entirely optional, and will be recorded so that they are available to
any interested student. I plan to announce specific times for individual meetings, rather than hold them on any fixed schedule. The first one will be
Saturday, June 26 at 6pm. Before then I will email to you the information from Zoom to enable you to join that meeting if you wish. One purpose will be for
any of you who wish to introduce yourselves briefly. I like to have an idea of students as people, beyond names on a list, especially now that we are
impersonally remote. Another purpose will be for me to talk about the general scope and structure of the course.

Student learning outcomes
SLO #1: Learn to assess, evaluate, and interpret ideas, images, and information critically in order to
communicate effectively, reach conclusions, and solve problems. Students will be able to:
a. Identify elements of software needs
b. Gather data to identify customer requirements
c. Identify input and output requirements
d. Identify system processing requirements
e. Clarify specifications
f. Identify hardware, networking, and software system functional
requirements
g. Demonstrate knowledge of security
h. Define business problems to be solved by the application
i. Demonstrate knowledge of the use, structure, and contents of a
requirements specification document
j. Define system and software requirements
SLO #2: Using ALICE, Visual Basic, and C languages, students will write programs that demonstrate that they are able to design, code, test, and debug software applications.

Students with Disabilities - I am happy to make academic adjustments for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the Center for Students with Disabilities if this applies to you. The Center for Students with Disabilities is located in Room 101 of the Admission/Student Services Complex, next to Admissions. For more information, call (310) 434-4265 or (310) 434-4273.