CSCI-130:
Computing: Science/Applications (Introduction
to Computing for Non-majors)
Fall 2007
!!!FINAL GRADES ARE UP ON BANNER!!!
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr.
Imad Rahal
Office:
211 P. Engel Science Center (SJU)
Email: irahal@csbsju.edu
Phone:
2837
Homepage: www.users.csbsju.edu/~irahal
Office Hours: 1:30-2:00 on odd days and 9:40-10:50 on day 2 (or by appointment)
TEXT BOOK (Required):
Herzfeld, Miller, and Ziegler. Computer Concepts
and Applications for Non- Majors
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
This course is an introduction to computing, both in theory and in practice. We will examine questions of how computers work, what they are good at doing, what they don't do well, why they sometimes don't work as expected, and how they can best be used. We will consider both the “how” and the “why” of problem solving using a computer. Students will gain insights into the structure and use of computers that will serve them however they may decide to use computers in the future. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
· understand and describe the basic components and working of a computer system,
· demonstrate awareness of the capabilities and limitations of computers,
· read, write and understand Visual Basic programs, and
· design and implement solutions to simple spreadsheet and database problems
LAB COMPONENT:
This is a core natural science course, and like all such courses, it has a required laboratory component. Attendance to all labs is required; any student who must miss a lab for reasons beyond his or her control must arrange for a makeup time in advance. After the first missed lab, each lab missed will lower a student’s final grade by 2 percentage points, in addition to the loss of points incurred by not completing the lab on time. A Total of 6 unexcused lab absences will automatically result in a failing grade. Students will complete lab problems in the time specified and demonstrate their completion to the instructor before leaving the lab. Those who do not complete the problems during the allotted lab time may earn partial credit by showing their solutions to their lab instructor any time before or at the beginning of the next scheduled lab.
Assignments, PROJECTS, QUIZZES, &
EXAMS:
There will be several assignments during the course, which include assigned readings (see schedule below), in-class exercises, and homework. There will be two major projects for which each student will design his or her own application and write up a complete documentation for that application. One project will be in Visual Basic and a second will be in either Excel or Access (your choice). There will be three in-class exams all of which are closed book, eight in-class closed-book quizzes, and three in-lab open-book exams completed during lab periods. You will be allowed to drop the lowest two in-class quiz grades. Under no circumstances will make-up quizzes be given. The syllabus lists all quiz and exam times; you are responsible for keeping those times clear in your schedule. There is no final exam. Students will be allowed to make up missed exams only in the case of a documented emergency and at the discretion of the instructor.
COURSE EVALUATION:
The final grade for the course will be based on the following
percentages:
· Attendance & Assignments 05%
· Quizzes 10%
· Projects 15%
· In-class Exams 45 %
· Labs 10%
· Lab Exams 15%
Grading is mainly based on the performance of each student compared to the class as a whole. In general, the following guidelines are followed expect in certain situations where the instructor sees a need for adjustments.A 90% Highly competent performance
B 80% Fairly competent performance
C 70% Fair comprehension of the material
D 60% Partial comprehension of the material
F < 60% Unsatisfactory performance
A grade of F may be given in situations of frequent unexcused absences, unsuccessful completion of required work in a timely manner, or evident lack of understanding of core material. Grades of AB, BC, and CD may be given at the instructor's discretion for borderline cases.
TENTATIVE
SCHEDULE FOR CLASS AND LAB MEETINGS
|
DATE |
DAY |
SUBJECT |
LECTURES & ASSIGNMENTS |
|
|
WED 08/29 |
1 |
Introduction |
1.1 - 2.4 |
|
|
THU
08/30 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: Introduction to PC use and file management |
|
|
|
FRI 08/31 |
3 |
Overview
& representation of integers |
2.5 |
|
|
MON
09/03 |
4 (or 5) |
Lab: no lab |
|
|
|
TUE 09/04 |
5 |
Representation of real
numbers |
2.6 - 2.9 |
|
|
THU 09/06 |
1 |
Representation of non-numeric data |
3.1 - 3.3 |
|
|
FRI
09/07 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: Numeric data representation |
|
|
|
MON 09/10 |
3 |
Boolean
logic, electronic gates, circuits |
3.4 - 3.5 |
|
|
TUE
09/11 |
4 (or 5) |
Lab: Non-numeric data representation |
|
|
|
WED 09/12 |
5 |
Designing and simplifying circuits |
4.1 - 4.4 |
|
|
FRI 09/14 |
1 |
Processor design and machine language |
4.4 - 4.6 |
|
|
MON
09/17 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: Circuit design |
|
|
|
TUE 09/18 |
3 |
Machine and assembly languages |
4.5 - 4.6 |
|
|
WED
09/19 |
4 (or 5) |
Lab: Machine code programs |
|
|
|
THU 09/20 |
5 |
Assembly language |
5.1 - 5.4 |
|
|
MON 09/24 |
1 |
Operating systems and data storage quiz 2 (logic design
& machine and assembly languages) |
6.1 – 7.3 |
|
|
TUE
09/25 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: Assembly Language
programs |
|
|
|
THU 09/27 |
3 |
Object-orientation,
Intro to Visual Basic |
7.1
- 7.4 |
|
|
FRI
09/28 |
4 (or
5) |
Lab Exam 1 |
|
|
|
MON
10/01 |
5 |
Exam 1 |
|
|
|
WED 10/03 |
1 |
Visual Basic — forms,
input & output, calculations and variables |
7.1 - 7.4 |
|
|
THU
10/04 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: Intro to VB |
|
|
|
FRI 10/05 |
3 |
Visual Basic — Decisions |
7.4 - 7.5 |
|
|
MON
10/08 |
4 (or 5) |
Lab: VB decisions |
|
|
|
TUE 10/09 |
5 |
Visual Basic — loops quiz 3
(VB) |
7.5 - 7.6 |
|
|
MON
10/15 |
1 |
Visual Basic — arrays & file I/O |
7.7 |
|
|
TUE
10/16 |
2 (or 3) |
Lab: VB loops (& files) |
|
|
|
WED 10/17 |
3 |
Visual Basic — Searching arrays |
7.7 |
|
|
THU
10/18 |
4 (or 5) |
Lab: Arrays & searching in VB |
|
|