Course Description (College Catalog)

An introduction to the fundamentals of computer science. This course provides a survey of topics used in later computer science coursework. Course includes an introduction to topics selected from: Data representation, binary arithmetic and radix positional notation, boolean and propositional logic, combinational circuitry, program language specification, assembly language, automata theory, operating systems, computer communication, computational theory, artificial intelligence. Course includes implementation of algorithms in a contemporary computer language (like C++ or Java).

Class Attendance & Comportment Policies

As shown below, no percentage of a student's grade will be based solely on physical presence during class instruction. However, being physically present, at all class meetings, is a prerequisite to mentally absorbing the materials presented therein. The instructor of this course shares with you, your interest in you learning as much as possible. Therefore, perfect class attendance, by all students, is strongly recommended.

Participation in the class is also strongly recommended. Honorable demeanor is simply assumed. Any action that inhibits a polite, comfortable, learning process is not allowed. Heated debates, which contain absolutely NO perceived personal affronts, are encouraged!

Attendance may be taken sometimes, maybe always. It will be used to jog our memories about your track record with respect to class attendance. If a student appears to not be attending class, the student will be dropped by the instructor. Each student is responsible for all work covered in class regardless of whether he or she attended the class. If you miss class, make sure you contact your instructor to find out what was covered and what new assignments have been give out. Not being in class is never an excuse for not knowing what was covered. It is your (the student's) sole responsibility to ensure that you are aware of all key material and dates. Your instructor is very willing to discuss these things with you but you need to initiate the conversation if you missed class for any reason.

Course Requirements

All exams will be taken with

• all books/notebooks closed
• all calculators closed and off
• all cell phones closed and off (10 points deducted from your exam grade if your phone rings during an exam)
• all your BRAIN OPEN and FUNCTIONING on full power!

Students, who miss an exam, must first obtain permission from the instructor to take the exam that he or she missed. Permisson may not be granted! A student may be required to provide verifiable proof of his or her stated reason for missing the exam before being allowed to make up the exam. If permission is given to take the exam, the student will have 1 week from the date that permission is given to make up the examination. Any student missing this time frame will receive a permanent grade of zero for the exam. Only extremely rare cases will be treated differently than just mentioned here. Having general relationship problems, vacations, out of the country or state (in Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Europe, Florida, Myrtle Beach, etc.), Spring Break was too much fun, and work will not be accepted as reasonable excuses for missing an exam.

2 Homeworks	7% of your grade, H1=2%, H2=5%
3 Programs	33% of your grade, 11% each
Exam 1	15% of your grade, Intro, Linux, Java
Exam 2	15% of your grade, Number Systems, Data Rep., Hardware, OS
Exam 3	15% of your grade, Problem Solving and Algorithm Design
Exam 4	15% of your grade, Applications and Networking

Note: See the CSCI 201 official web page for the exact due dates of all homeworks as they are assigned.

Final Grades

Final grades will be assigned according to the following grade values based upon a total of 100 points.

Anticipated Exam Dates

The actual date for all exams will be announced at least 1 week in advance of the date each will be administered.

• The first exam in this course will be held on Sept. 25, 2003
• The second exam in this course will be held on Oct. 23, 2003
• The third exam in this course will be held on Nov. 13, 2003
• The fourth exam in this course will on the scheduled date for the final exam for this course.

Course Activities, Reading Assignments, & Anticipated Order

Grading Criteria and Rules

Your instructor assumes that all students will have completed all course requirements by the scheduled date and time of the final examination for this course or possibly slightly before.

Assignments are to be written by each individual student without the aid of any other person besides the instructor of this course. General topics of computer science should be discussed freely with others at any time one chooses to do so. For instance, students standing at a blackboard, working out an example, is an example of very good students. Students, who sit together to do an assignment then make revisions to make the single work effort appear as more than one, are students who are both cheating and demonstrating academic and personal dishonesty (a major character flaw!). Any form of academic dishonesty is self-serving, unfair, not nice, and will not tolerated by your instructor. You should consult your student handbook concerning college policies in this area. It's not worth having a stain for life on your permanent transcript simply to squeeze out a grade the sloppy way.

Assignments submitted must conform to the following rules.

• All assignments, unless otherwise stated by the instructor, must be typed using MS Word. Sometimes it may be easier to use certain MS Office products. Ask your instructor if you would like to some special tools.
• If an assignment is printed, it must be printed on plain white paper. No ragged edge papers will be accepted.
• All printed assignments, unless otherwise stated by the instructor, must have the CSCI 201 cover sheet attached to it (as the first/top page). Print this MS Word CSCI 201 Cover Sheet and use it.

Lateness and Assignment Submission Rules

Assignments must be handed directly to the instructor of this course. The only times which are acceptable for handing in an assignment are

• at the beginning or end of a lecture class
• during the instructor's regularly held office hours (see them above)

Students must realize that assignments that have missing, incomplete, inaccurate, or hand written cover sheets or other materials will lose points. You are training to be professionals.

Assignments will be accepted up to 1 week late. There will be a 5% per day loss of highest possible grade when an assignment is turned in late. Late begins immediately after the class ends on the day the assignment is due. Weekends are free. (max 25% loss if exactly 1 week late)

After an assignment is one week late, the assignment automatically receives a permanent grade of zero.

Reading List & Additional Resources

Please see the instructor of this course for references to further information about topics related to this course or anything else for that matter as well. He would be more than glad to help you locate them.

Additional/Unique Aspects of the Course

This class is unique simply because of the individuals in it.