Linfield College

Division of Continuing Education

CSC 101: Fundamentals of Information Systems Technology
On-Line Syllabus

Course Description

This is a broad overview of Computer Science designed to provide students with an understanding of various Computer Science concepts. Topics include: hardware concepts, operating systems and networks, algorithm design for problem solving, programming language concepts, introduction to Object-Oriented programming model. No background in Computer Science is assumed or expected.

This is NOT a course on how to use computers or computer software. A basic ability to "get around" a PC (such as to turn it on and off, use Word, use the internet and a web browser, send and receive email) is highly useful for this course.

The online course you are taking is an online version of a similar course taught in the classroom. The lack of a classroom and an instructor in front of you should not be seen as a hindrance to communication! Please feel free to email the instructor about any issue you have with this class: esmith@linfield.edu.

EARLY ASSIGNMENT: Please read Part I and Part II of the textbook.

Prerequisites: NONE

Credits: 3

Instructor: Ed Smith

Email: online Mail area or esmith@linfield.edu

Textbook: How Computer Programming Works, by Daniel Appleman

Handout: Chapter 8 - Operating Systems and Utility Programs

Objectives

Describe the basic components of a computer
Discuss the importance of algorithms in problem solving
Create algorithms for solving simple problems
Use pseudo-code to implement algorithms
Discuss the representation of data and data structures
Discuss essential programming language concepts
Discuss Object-Oriented programming model

Assignments, tests and grading

Grading for this course will be based on quizzes, assignments, exams, and a final exam.

Assignments: 30%

Quizzes: 30%

Final: 40%

Assignments are taken using the online system. Late assignments will not be accepted. Make-up exams will not be given without prior arrangement as stated in the college catalog.

Quizes will be released online for 48 hours. During that period, you may take the exam once. You have 30 minutes to complete the exam. There is a Quiz at the end of the first three sections.

The final is given at the end of the fourth section. The final will be released online for 72 hours at the end of the class. During that period, you may take the exam once. You have 60 minutes to complete the exam.

All quizzes and the final are open book, but not open-neighbor. It is expected you will take the exam by yourself without help from others.

Academic Honesty

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student found to be engaging in either of these activities at any point in the course will receive a failing grade for the entire course and may be subject to further college sanctions. (See college catalog for more details.)

Difficulties

If you find you are having problems with the class (the use of the software, attendance, keeping up with the reading, fitting into a group), please let me know. Please communicate your difficulties! The last weekend of the course is not the best time to ask for help.

Disability support

Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodation, who have any emergency medical information an instructor should know, or who require any special arrangement, should meet with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of class.

Course Schedule

Section 1 (approx. first week) - introduction to computers, computer data, binary and boolean math, computer hardware
Section 2 (approx. second week) - hexadecimal math, text and pointer data, introduction to programming concepts (variables, types, statements, operators, expressions, loops, conditionals, functions)
Section 3 (approx. third week) - complex data structures (arrays, structures, stacks, queues, linked lists), introduction to algorithms (searching and sorting)
Section 4 (approx. fourth week) - operating systems concepts, compilers and interpreters, event-driven systems, object-oriented programming
Final exam (final week)