Kennesaw State University

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Spring 2005

CSIS 2300/08

Online Class

 

 

Course Description:

CSIS 2300 Principles of Computing 3-0-3. 

 

Principles of Computing is the first course a student should take to prepare for a career in computer science or information systems. Topics include information systems in organizations, hardware, software, database concepts, telecommunications and networks, the Internet, systems development, security, privacy, ethics, programming logic, algorithms, abstraction, and data structures.

 

Prerequisites:

A credit-level mathematics course.

 

Textbook and Resources:

Dale, Nell, & Lewis, John (2004). Computer science illuminated (2nd ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, ISBN 0-7637-0799-6.

Meyer, R. Mark (2003). Explorations in computer science: A guide to discovery (CD). Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Instructor:

Dr. Amy B. Woszczynski

 

Office:

CL 3009

 

Email Address:

awoszczy@kennesaw.edu

 

Phone:

770.423.6572

 

Office Hours:

Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm and by appointment

 

Fax Number:

770.423.6731

 

Website Address:

http://courses.kennesaw.edu

 

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of completing this course, students will be able to:

 

·                     Describe the integration of computing systems with people

·                     Understand ethical and security issues related to computing

·                     Explain the integration of the computing discipline(s) with career paths

·                     Gain a systems perspective of computing

·                     Use Web resources to learn more about relevant topics

·                     Complete laboratory exercises to illustrate and reinforce lecture topics

 

Classroom Policies:


Class Format:

 

This class is divided into Units, as shown in the tentative schedule. Each unit contains goals, grading guidelines, and assignments. You should complete all of the activities in the order listed. Although quizzes are not due until 4/29/2005, you are strongly encouraged to complete the quizzes as you complete the Unit readings. Once you complete laboratory exercises and/or the web page assignment, you should click on “Submit Assignments” to upload the appropriate files.

 

Make-Up Exams:

 

There will be no make-up assignments or exams. This is an online course, and it is your responsibility to make sure that you submit all assignments in a timely manner.

 

Guidelines for Submitting Work:

 

All assignments are due on WebCT. You may not e-mail me the assignment instead of uploading it to WebCT. Late assignments will not be accepted! If you have any questions about your grades, contact me immediately. The end of the semester is too late to argue for grade changes on earlier assignments. Note that all assignments should follow APA guidelines, except where specifically instructed otherwise. Formatting guidelines will be available on WebCT, and students should adhere to standards in the APA Guide.

 

Discussion Board:

 

Discussion board activities comprise a significant portion of your grade in this course. In a virtual (online) class, it is very important that you interact with your peers and your instructor in order to have an enhanced learning experience. Remember that discussion postings are available for all students and the instructor to review. As such, you should conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. It is fine to disagree with someone’s opinion, as long as you use appropriate courtesy and netiquette when posting on the discussion board.

 

All discussion board postings, laboratory exercises, and e-mail messages should be spell-checked and proofread before sending or posting. I recommend typing the message in a word processor before cutting and pasting in order to minimize the number of typos you have. Y

 

Suggestion Box:

 

There is also an anonymous suggestion box discussion board available for your use. If you have a comment that you would prefer to make anonymously, you can put your constructive comment in the suggestion box discussion board.

 

Q & A:

 

You can post and respond to questions here. I will also monitor this board, but I encourage you to help your classmates where possible.

 

Student Lounge:

 

You can introduce yourself and get to know your classmates here.

 

Check for Updates:

 

It is also vitally important that you regularly visit the WebCT site for updates and announcements. It is your responsibility to check WebCT at least once daily!

 

 

 

 

Lecture Notes:

 

All lecture notes, announcements, assignment guidelines, and the like will be available on the class Web site: http://courses.kennesaw.edu.

 

Online Format:

 

This class is completed entirely online. Students will read assigned chapters, review PowerPoint slides, complete interactive exercises, and submit assignments as shown in WebCT.

 

Enrollment Policy:

 

Only those students who are enrolled in the class may attend lectures, receive assignments, take quizzes and exams, and receive a grade in the class. If a student is administratively withdrawn from this course, they will not be permitted to participate in WebCT nor will they receive any grade for the class.

 

Diversity Statement:

 

All courses offered by the Computer Science and Information Systems department will adhere to the KSU policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.

 

Withdrawal Policy:

 

The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is 3/4/2005. Ceasing to attend class or oral notice thereof DOES NOT constitute official withdrawal from the course. Students who simply stop attending classes without officially withdrawing usually are assigned failing grades. Students wishing to withdraw after the scheduled change period (add/drop) must obtain and complete a withdrawal form from the Academic Services Department in the Registrar’s Office.

 

A new University Withdrawal policy is in effect Fall semester, 2004. Below is an excerpt from the catalog. For further details, please refer to Academic Policies at http://www.kennesaw.edu/academicaffairs/acadpubs/ucat2004-05/i.acadpolicies.pdf, page 42 of the 2004-2005 printed catalog. 

 

“Students may withdraw from one or more courses anytime before the last three weeks of the semester. However, as of fall 2004, students will be allowed a maximum of eight total withdrawals if they enter KSU as a freshman. Transfer students will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted, for a maximum of eight. Students who choose to pursue a second degree at KSU will be allowed two additional withdrawals. Students who entered KSU before the fall of 2004 will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted for a maximum of eight after the institution of this policy. To withdraw they should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses before mid-semester will receive a “W” in those courses and receive no credit. “   

 

 

Email Policy:

 

The instructor will reply to e-mails that list the course number and section in the subject line of the e-mail (CSIS 2300/08). Emails with other subject lines may not reach the instructor's mailbox.

 

You also must forward your WebCT mail to an external account that you check frequently. Since I often check e-mail outside of WebCT, if you do not forward your WebCT mail, I will not be able to respond to your message. You will not receive an e-mail from me indicating that you need to do this. It is your responsibility to make sure that your WebCT mail is forwarded. To forward it within WebCT:

 

Mail…Message Settings…Forward mail to: 

 

 

Classroom Behavior

 

Students are reminded to conduct themselves in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provision. For more details, visit http://ww.kennesaw.edu/academicaffairs/acadpubs/ucat2003-04/x.genpolicies%20.pdf . In a virtual classroom as in a regular classroom, students should interact in a responsible, professional manner, both with their peers and the instructor. Students who are in violation of this policy may have their discussion board postings deleted with a corresponding significant grade reduction for the assignment in questions. Further, these students may be subject to disciplinary action by the University.

Student Email and Web Account Access:

 

KSU uses a central authentication server that will allow one username and password to be used by all KSU users to access an increasing variety of applications (email, WebCT etc.). This unified network identification is referred to as your "NetID." The source for university-provided email and web space for students is located at http://students.kennesaw.edu . Students have access to this system once they have established their NetID. This system will provide email service through a web based interface, FTP and SFTP.

How to Activate your NetID:

To activate your NetID go to http://netid.kennesaw.edu and click on the "Sign up Now!" link. You will be asked to provide information to verify your identity and set your password. This password will only be for NetID enabled applications.

How to Look Up a NetID:

After you have activated your NetID, you can look up other users by logging into http://netid.kennesaw.edu and clicking on Directory Search.

How to Send Email:

For student email, your NetID in combination with the new email address would look like netid@students.kennesaw.edu .

 

Web Address:

For student web address, your NETID in combination with the new server address would look like http://students.kennesaw.edu/~netid.


If you have problems please call the Service Desk at ext. 6999 or e-mail service@kennesaw.edu .

 

Computing in the Information Age Scholarship (CIAS):

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Computing in the Information Age Scholarship (http://cias.kennesaw.edu) provides selected CSIS majors with $1,500 per semester. The purpose of the scholarship is to increase retention in the computing sciences by providing aid to high-achieving students with financial need, and involving them in scholarly activities with CSIS faculty.


 

Units and Due Dates (all units due at 11:45 pm Friday)

 

Due Date

Unit

Topics

 

1/14

1

Introduction to the course

 

1/21

2

Ch 1: The Big Picture

 

1/28

3

Ch 2: Binary Values and Number Systems

 

2/4

4A

Ch 3: Data Representation

 

2/11

4B

Ch 4: Gates and Circuits

 

2/18

5A

Ch 5: Computing Components

 

2/25

5B

Ch 12: Information Systems

 

3/4

6A

Ch 10: Operating Systems

 

3/18

6B

Ch 11: File Systems and Directories

 

3/25

7

Ch 15: Networks

 

4/1

8

Ch 16: The World Wide Web

Website Project

 

4/8

9A

 

Ch 6: Problem Solving and Algorithmic Design

 

4/15

9B

 

Ch 7: Low-level Programming Languages

 

4/22

9C

 

Ch 8: High-level Programming Languages

 

4/29

10

Ch 17: Limitations of Computing

 

5/6

Final Exam

 

 

Special Dates:

 

Last day to withdrawal without penalty

March 4, 2005

Last day of class (University)

May 1, 2005

Graduation

May 12, 2005

 

Class Format:

 

This class uses an online format with required laboratory exercises that students complete. This is a virtual class, so we do not meet at all during the semester. Because of the virtual nature of this class, it is necessary that you have the self-discipline to stay on schedule and complete your work as assigned. It is also necessary for you to fully participate in bulletin board discussions.

 

Lecture Notes:

 

Available on WebCT with all course materials: http://courses.kennesaw.edu

 

Links:

 

http://science.kennesaw.edu/csis - CSIS Department main website.

http://csilluminated.jbpub.com – text book web site.

 

 

Computer Labs:

 

Please be aware of and follow all computer lab user policies.

 

Burruss Building

The labs on the fourth floor of the Burruss Building are open 7 days each week. See the schedule below. The Burruss labs are open most holidays however they are closed during most semester breaks. Be prepared to show your current student ID card upon entering the lab. The telephone number of the Burruss Building lab is 770-423-6110.

 

LAB HOURS:

Monday - Thursday

6:30 am - Midnight

Friday

6:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

7:30 am - 7:30 PM

Sunday

10:00am - Midnight

 

SUMMER HOURS:

Monday - Thursday

7:30 am - 11:30pm

Friday

7:30 am - 5:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 am - 6:00 PM

Sunday

12 noon - 10:00pm

 

Science and Mathematics Building

The lab in SC 228 of the Science and Mathematics Building is open as listed below. The telephone number of the Science and Mathematics Building lab is 770-499-3351.

 

Monday - Thursday

9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Friday

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

 

 

 

Owl Printing System:

 


The Owl Print system (student network printing/copying solution) is in place in the KSU library as well as all the open labs and lab/electronic classroom combinations across campus.
Students must have an Owl Print card to use printing/copying services.

 

Assessment:

Component

Points Available

Approx % of Total

Discussion Board Activities & E-mail Assignment

260

21.8%

Chapter Quizzes

280

23.5%

Laboratory Exercises

300

25.2%

Web Site Project

100

8.4%

Final Exam

250

21.0%

TOTAL

100%

100.0%

* Students may earn extra credit by attending IT-related and/or professional development events on campus. Students can earn ½ point of extra credit applied to the final average for every event that they attend and for which they submit a ½ page discussion board write-up within 48 hours of the event. Students may earn a maximum of 4 points of extra credit per semester. These events include (but are not limited to):

 

Grade Evaluation

 

 

 

A

90% - 100%

B

89% - 80%

C

79% - 70%

D

69% - 60%

F

59% or below

 

 

Student Course Evaluation:


A standard questionnaire (described below) will be administered during the last two weeks of the semester in all classes. This questionnaire will be designed as an anonymous survey in WebCT and must be completed before grades will be assigned. Additional questions developed by the college or instructor(s) may be included as well. It is important that each student provide meaningful feedback to the instructor(s) so that changes can be made in the course to continually improve its effectiveness. We value student feedback about the course, our teaching styles, and course materials, so as to improve our teaching and your learning. At a minimum, the following two questions will be asked: 1) Identify the aspects of the course that most contributed to your learning (include examples of specific materials, exercises and/or the faculty member's approach to teaching and mentoring), and 2) Identify the aspects of the course, if any, that might be improved (include examples of specific materials, exercises and/or the faculty member's approach to teaching and mentoring).

Acquiring Final Grades:

The final grades for this course will be posted to the student’s permanent record using the KSU Banner system. Students may acquire their final grades by accessing their Banner account online. Grades are no longer mailed to students. Students needing verification of grades or enrollment should request either an official transcript or an enrollment verification through the Office of the Registrar.

APA Documenting Examples:

 

When any portion of another author's work is used, whether it is from a course textbook or outside work, including the World Wide Web, in whole, in part, or paraphrased, that work must be cited. Proper citation formats are provided on the reverse of this document. Failure to do so can result in Academic Misconduct Proceedings.
Acceptable Reference Formats (from North and Blade, 1998 (see below) reprinted with permission)

 

There are two components to a proper citation: the text citation and the reference or endnote. The text citation will usually consist of the author's or authors' last name(s) and the year of the publication. The endnote citation will read as follows:

 

Books

            Last-name, First-initial. (Date). Book title. City, State: Publisher.

 

A reference for a single-author book:

 

            North, M. M. (1996). Virtual reality technology. New York: Best Press.

 

A reference for a multi-author book:

 

            North, M. M. & Blade, R. A. (1998). How to build skills for research. Colorado Springs:

 

                       IPI Press.

 

Journals

Last-name, First-initial. (Date). Article title. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), pages.

 

Journal Reference:

Here is an article in Volume 45, Issue 3, spanning pages 54-61.

 

               Kelly, F. G. (1997). Networking made efficient. Journal of Computer Networking, 45(3),

 

                        54-61.

 

 

 

APA Documenting Examples Continued:

 

Conference Proceeding

 

              Vanner, F. D. (1996). A survey of medical issues using virtual reality. Proceedings of the

 

                       Virtual Reality Medical Technology. 119-132. Nice, France.

 

World Wide Web (from http://www.apa.org/books/pubmant.html):

Available references from the web include: newspaper articles, newsletters, journals, research papers, government reports, online books or brochures)

 

Minimum requirements for documenting a reference from the web should include: a document title or description, a date (either the date of publication, update, or retrieval date), a complete URL. If possible, identify the author(s) of the document. Entire site no specific page.

 

 

            Last-name, First-initial. (Date). Title. Publishing information. Retrieved from the World

 

                       Wide Web on mm/dd/yy: URL.

 

 

             Kidspsych is a wonderful interactive Web site for children (http://www.kidspsych.org).

 

No reference entry is needed.

 

 

Citing Specific Documents on a Web Site:

 

           American Psychological Association. (1995, September 15). APA public policy action

 

                        alert: Legislation would affect grant recipients [Announcement]. Washington, DC.

 

                        Retrieved January 25, 1996, from the World Wide Web:

 

                        http://www.apa.org/ppo/istook.html   .

 

 

Individual document with no author identified or date:

 

            ABC’s Website Survey: (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2004, from http://www.abc.com.

 

 

An independent document (no author identified): 1

 

           Electronic reference formats recommended by the American Psychological Association.

 

                      (2000, August 22). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 

                       Retrieved August 29, 2000, from the World Wide Web:

 

                       http://www.apa.org/journals/webref.html.

 

If the primary author is not available for the body citation, the first key word is to be used:

 

          (Electronic, 2000).

 

 

 

 

Academic Integrity Statement:

 

Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an "informal" resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.

 

Students are encouraged to study together and to work together on class assignments and lab exercises; however, the provisions of the STUDENT CONDUCT REGULATIONS, II. Academic Honesty, KSC Undergraduate Catalog will be strictly enforced in this class.

 

Frequently students will be provided with “take-home” exams or exercises. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they fully understand to what extent they may collaborate or discuss content with other students. No exam work may be performed with the assistance of others or outside material unless specifically instructed as permissible. If an exam or assignment is designated “no outside assistance” this includes, but is not limited to, peers, books, publications, the Internet and the WWW. If a student is instructed to provide citations for sources, proper use of citation support is expected. Additional information can be found at the following locations. 

 

http://www.apa.org/journals/webref.html

http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/citing.htm

http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/cite.html

http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/papers/copyright/ipdummie.html

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html
http://plagiarism.phys.virginia.edu/links.html
http://www.arts.ubc.ca/doa/plagiarism.htm
http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/%7ejanicke/plagiary.htm
http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.htm
http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm
http://www.engr.washington.edu/~tc231/course_info/plagiarism.html
http://quarles.unbc.edu/lsc/rpplagia.html

 

Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Academic Integrity Statement:

 

In any academic community, certain standards and ethical behavior are required to ensure the unhindered pursuit of knowledge and the free exchange of ideas. Academic honesty means that you respect the right of other individuals to express their views and opinions, and that you, as a student, not engage in plagiarism, cheating, illegal access, misuse or destruction of college property, or falsification of college records or academic work.

 

As a member of the Kennesaw State University academic community you are expected to adhere to these ethical standards. You are expected to read, understand and follow the code of conduct as outlined in the KSU graduate and undergraduate catalogs. You need to be aware that if you are found guilty of violating these standards you will be subject to certain penalties as outlined in the college judiciary procedures. These penalties include permanent expulsion from KSU.

 

Read the Academic Integrity Statement and then take the Academic Honesty Quiz in WebCT. You must complete this quiz during the first 2 weeks of classes. I will not grade any of your work until this quiz is completed. You are required to abide by these ethical standards while you are a student at KSU. Your successful completion of the WebCT Academic Honesty Quiz indicates that you understand the ethical standards expected of you in this academic community, and that you understand the consequences of violating these standards.