Instructor: Rashid Bin Muhammad
Course Description
This course introduces the history, language, procedures, applications, abuses,
and impact of computers and gives you an opportunity of hands-on experience with
microcomputers. This course helps you to become more computer literate. To do
this we will cover concepts and principles of computers of all types. In
particular, this course emphasis on personal computes and their uses; however,
we will still cover concepts of large computers.
Text
The required textbook for this course: Alan Evans, Kendall Martin, and Mary Anne Poatsy,
Technology in Action (Complete Second Edition), Pearson Education, Inc.,
NJ, 2006. ISBN 0-13-148904-6
I strongly suggest that students purchase a copy of this textbook, and keep up-to-date in reading the material assigned at each lecture. Saving on textbook and concentrating solely on the power points would not be a wise idea.
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 3
Homework (20%)
There will be approximately 6-7 homework assignments during the semester, and will involve reading the textbook. Homework assignments consist of multiple choices, true/false, fill in the black and short answers type problems. In general, you will have adequate time to complete each assignment. However, you should begin working on each assignment early so that you will have plenty of time to do properly. Waiting to start working until the night before the assignment is due is a bad idea. Homework solutions will be published on the web and late homework will not be accepted.
Lab Assignment (20%)
The lab assignments require a PC. There will be an opportunity to carry out lab exercises during class time in one of the departmental computer labs. Any exercises not completed during this time can be finished on your own on any public computer on the campus. You may want to save your work (when necessary) on a floppy diskette, or send your work les to your e-mail account to later access.
Note carefully, you may use your own personal computer but you and only you are responsible for setting up your computer for lab assignments. I strongly suggest that you use on-campus computers.
Pop Quizzes (10%)
The date of the quiz will NOT be announced (there will be
surprise quizzes.) A quiz is held during the first
10 minutes of the class. Late students will not be given extra time to complete
the quiz. No late quizzes
will be accepted; no make-up quizzes.
There is no make-up date for missed homework, quizzes, labs or exams. Missed work
will result in grade of
0 for the applicable homework, quiz, lab or exam. Exceptional circumstances
should be discussed with me
in advance.
Class Participation
Students are expected to attend each lecture. Attendance and active participation during a lecture will help you learn the material and succeed in class.
Grading
The final course grade will be determined by Computer Science standard percentage scale for CS 10001-Computer Literacy Course.
A 93% - 100% A- 90% - 92.99% B+ 87% - 89.99% B 83% - 86.99% B- 80% - 82.99% C+ 77% - 79.99% C 73% - 76.99% C- 70% - 72.99% D+ 67% - 69.99% D 60% - 66.99% F 0% - 58.99%
There will be no curve at the end of the
course. Although, there will be a fair chance, by the means of extra-credit,
that you can curve your grades to a considerable measure.
Students 'Sitting In'
Students who want to unofficially `sit in' in the course
should contact me as soon as possible. In general, I allow sit-ins if there is
space in the room, but I will be obliged to grade lab-assignments and exams only
for enrolled students.
Classroom Etiquette
Please remember that personal conversation during lecture and
lab time is distracting to your fellow students. Leave the lab if your wish to
converse. Collaboration on a lab project is an exception of course! Discussions
with me regarding individual matters may be conducted before or after class, but
not during class time please.
Academic Integrity
Student-teacher relationships are built on trust. Students must trust that teachers have made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of the courses they teach, and teachers must trust that the assignments, which students turn in, are their own. Acts that violate this trust undermine the educational process. In this course, the penalty for any act of academic dishonesty is a final course grade at F.
Cooperation on Homework Assignments
I strongly believe that discussion with you classmates/peers is an excellent learning tool. Here, by "discussion" I mean a method of argumentation in a question and answer format - the Socratic dialogue. You will be surprised how fast your learning curve grows by discussion.
Having advocated discussion, I must be crystal clear about what is and what is not allowed.
Note that there is a fine line between discussion and cheating. If you are
unsure what is allowed and what isn't, feel free to discuss the distinction with
me, but if something feels uncomfortable, it is probably not allowed.
If you have any problems with the class please talk to me first. If you do not feel comfortable talking to me, or if you are unsatisfied after having talked to me, then you can speak with the Course Coordinator, Walter Pechenuk (wpechenu@cs.kent.edu). His office is 272 MSB.
Students with Disabilities
University policy 3342-3-18 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Disability Services, SDS, (contact 330-672-3391 or visit http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/default.htm for more information on registration procedures).
Good luck and welcome to my class!
