CS101: Introduction to Computers and Computing

Lecture Syllabus and General Information
Fall 2008

Course Description:

Lecture, 2 hours/week; laboratory, 2 hours/week. Topics include history of computing, computer types,computer organization and operation, survey of computer languages, program development, computer applications (word processing, database, graphics, spreadsheets, etc.), and computers in society.
Weekly hands-on experience with a variety of applications.
Fulfills 3 units/category B3 General Education.
Recommended for all students.
Not applicable to the CS major.

Instructor:

Glenn J. Carter

Contact Information:

Office: Darwin 116A
Office Phone Number: 707/664-2961
Department Phone Number: 707/664-2667
Email Address: glenn.carter@sonoma.edu

Office Hours: (If I am not in my office I will be in either Darwin 24 or Darwin 25 computer lab.)

By appointment and

Monday and Wednesday
2 - 2:30pm
Thursday 1 - 1:30pm

Lecture Times and Places:

Lecture for Labs 2, 4, 10 and 12: Monday and Wednesday 9- 9:50 am Ives 101
Lecture for Labs 6, 8, 14 and 16: Tuesday 11 - 12:50 pm Ives101

Class Materials:
Lecture:
• Textbook = Technology In Action, Fifth Edition
(The textbook is bundled with a MyITLab access code.)
Lab:
• MyITLab access code
Each student needs an access code to register for lab class.  In the SSU bookstore the My IT Lab access code comes bundled with the textbook, or sold separately.  The access code can also be purchased at the following website: MyITLab access code.
• USB Flash Drive 32 Megabytes or larger
• Paper for Laser Printing
• Optional: Mini Jack Headphones

Grading:

50% of your grade will come from your lecture quizzes and tests.
   
50% of your CS101 grade will come from your lab attendance and assignments.
   
You must pass both the lecture and the lab portions of this course.  This means you must get at least a D- in both lecture and lab.
A grade of C or better is needed to use CS101 for most prerequisites.

Your CS101 grade will be weighted and determined as follows:

Lecture Quizzes = 20%

Mid-Term = 15%

Final = 15%

Lab Attendance = 6%
Lab Assignments and Lab Tests = 44%
CS 101 Final Grade = 100% The percent of total points you earn determines your letter grade as follows:

A (100.0% - 94%) A- (93.9% - 90.0%) B+ (89.9% - 86.0%) B (85.9% - 82.0%)
B- (81.9% -78.0%) C+ (77.9% - 74.0%) C (73.9% - 70.0%) C- (69.9% - 66.0%)
D+ (65.9% - 62.0%) D (61.9% - 58.0%) D- (57.9% - 54.0%) F (53.9% - 0.0%)

Lecture Quizzes, Mid-term and Final Exam Notes:
• You are responsible for all material presented in CS 101 lectures, labs, readings, and the book. Material for the tests and final exam will be taken from each of these sources, even if the material is not directly covered in lecture.
• The dates for the lecture quizzes and mid-term are tentative and will be confirmed in class.
• Lecture quizzes and mid-term will be administered in lab.
• Neither the mid-term nor the final exam can be retaken or made up. If you miss either the mid-term or final a paper can be written in place of the missed test score.  After I read your paper you will be assigned one of three potential scores for the test.  1) An unsatisfactory paper will result in an test score of zero.  2) A marginal pass paper will result in a test score of a D-.  3) A satisfactory paper will result in a score equal to the average of your other two test scores. Only one paper maybe written a semester.  For more information about a missed test see the CS101 frequently asked questions web page.
• The final exam will be 1 hour and 50 minutes long and will be administered in Ives 101.
Final Exam Dates:

Lecture Suggestions:
• Assigned lecture reading and other assignments assigned in lectures should be completed by the suggested date to better comprehend the upcoming material.

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