Important dates

• Last day to drop with tuition refund: September 10
• Last day to drop with W: October 31
• Other dates: see academic calendar

Course description

This course is an introduction to all aspects of computing. We'll focus on how to solve problems using common computer applications and a programming language (Processing). The idea is that by the end of the course, you'll know enough to at least recognize the kind of problems that a computer can help with, and pick off the low-hanging fruit. Along the way, maybe you'll gain a greater understanding of the creative possibilities in computing, the role of computers in society, and other liberal arts crap.

Prerequisites are Readiness for ENG 111 & MTH 163. We'll assume you've used a computer before. At the very least, you should know how to type and use a mouse. If you successfully registered for this class, you've probably got that covered.

See course content summary.

Readings

We'll often follow along with CSC 110 course materials prepared by Professors Fitton and Butu.

We'll make use of excerpts from books available from Safari Books Online. Most of these will be selected from the existing CSC 110 course materials, but there will be a few others.

For the programming portion of the course, we'll make use of several excellent (and free) online resources. Our main reference is still TBD, but we might make use of:

• processing.org, which contains reference information and many tutorials
• Getting Started with Processing, by Casey Reas and Ben Fry
• Learning Processing, by Daniel Shiffman

Grading

Your grade will be based on the following components:

• Weekly homework: 50%. Lowest 2 grades dropped. Some homework assignments may involve creating presentations and later presenting in class.
• Quizzes: 35%. At least 3, with lowest 1 grade dropped.
• Project: 15%. A final project programming a game.
• Attendance: 4 free absences, with a loss of 1 letter grade for each further absence.

The grading scale is:

• 90-100%: A
• 80-89%: B
• 70-79%: C
• 60-69%: D
• under 60%: F

There is no curve or extra credit.

Homework

Homework will be assigned roughly weekly, and due roughly a week later.

You are expected to write all your own answers, code, and comments for homeworks. Working together is permitted (and encouraged), but each person must write (and explain) the final solution alone. You will be expected to be able to explain all details of every homework assignment you complete.

Use of books and websites for help with homework solutions is permitted, but you must cite any sources you use. Lack of citation will be treated as cheating.

Late homework is not accepted. Your grade will be penalized if you submit homework incorrectly.

Quizzes

I'll announce quizzes at least 1 week in advance. You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper filled with whatever notes/formulas/prayers/etc. you want to the quizzes. Make-up quizzes are permitted only with a good excuse (travel plans are not accepted as an excuse), and the make-up quiz may differ from the original. Any valid excuse I can think of right now would require a doctor's note.

Ethics

Any ethics violation will be reported to the Dean, and result in an F for the course. Ethics violations include:

• Cheating on quizzes, or helping others cheat. You are responsible for ensuring no one else can see your work.
• Copying or sharing copies of homework solutions (before the due date).
• Using outside sources on homework or projects without citation. You must submit all citations in writing when (or before) you submit your work. This applies to all submitted work, even preliminary versions.

Please consult with me before using outside sources for any work. You're expected to write up all your homework/projects on your own, so sources should be used only as a reference. Also, many examples you'll find online are in bad style or just plain wrong.

Et cetera

The syllabus is subject to change. I'll give notice and a good reason if any changes are necessary.

No audits will be permitted.

If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you must provide a disability data sheet, which can be obtained from the counselor for special needs, who is located in Room 185 of the Bisdorf Building, telephone number (703) 845-6301.

Schedule

The specific topics are only a rough guess. I'll try to update with quiz dates as soon as they're set, but coming to class is the only way to guarantee you'll know when quizzes are scheduled.

Week	Date	Topics
1	Aug 25	Introduction. Basic computer concepts.
2	Aug 29	Binary logic, basic computer usage.
3	Sep 5	Week 2 topics continued.
4	Sep 12	HTML, web pages.
5	Sep 19	Internet applications, networking concepts.
6	Sep 26	Command line usage.
7	Oct 3	Spreadsheet applications.
8	Oct 10	Spreadsheet applications.
9	Oct 17	Database concepts.
10	Oct 24	Database applications.
11	Oct 31	Introduction to programming using Processing.
12	Nov 7	Animation and control flow.
13	Nov 14	Arrays and objects.
14	Nov 21	Thanksgiving break: no class.
15	Nov 28	Program design.
16	Dec 5	Project work.
17	Dec 12	Class wrap-up. Will involve a final presentation and/or final quiz.