CSC001
Instructor
Syllabus
Communication
Schedule
Grades
Resources |
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D. Joseph
Fall 1998
Course Description | Course Format | Objectives | Reading Material
Technology | Placement Test | Workload
Course
Description
This is a survey course that covers the fundamental concepts of computers and computer
science with an introduction to Exploring the Internet. Class discussion will
range from hardware and software topics to applications and effects of computers in
society. An introduction to programming is provided using the language BASIC, as
implemented on IBM PC-compatible microcomputers. The specific version of BASIC to be
taught will be QBASIC.
Course Format
This course has two components:
First, there will be two fifty-minute lecture periods per week with discussion on various
topics related to computers and computer science. Second, there will be two fifty-minute
lab periods per week. The lab periods are hands-on sessions using personal computers
(PCs), to create QBASIC computer programs.
Work completed during lab is not
considered homework - that is, there will be a normal load of work outside
of lab and lecture. The expected outside work is two hours for every hour in class. While
some discussion may be about microcomputer application packages (e.g., word processing and
spreadsheets), this is not a course in microcomputer applications.
Separate courses in the Computer Science curriculum (CSC 4, 5, and 6) include such topics.
Course
Objectives
Students will...
- Discover the components that make up a computer system and
how it works.
- Discuss the role computers play in society.
- Investigate applications of computers in many fields
- Gain exposure to the programming process and some of its
more effective tools.
- Learn how to write reasonably sophisticated computer
programs.
- Learn how to use IBM PC-compatible microcomputers and some
pheripheral equipment.
- Learn how to use the Internet to find information.
- Occasionally work in teams to solve problems.
Required Reading
Materials
- New Perspectives on Computer Concepts - Comprehensive,
3rd Ed. Parsons and Oja. (Course Technology, 1998).
- QBASIC Program Development, 2nd Ed. Jones and
Meyers. (McGraw-Hill, 1996).
Technology
Requirements
- Each student needs a SacLink account.
- Although a home computer with a high-speed modem running
Netscape Navigator/Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer would be beneficial,
students can use one of the University Computing
Labs to access the Web for assignments.
- Basic e-mail, netiquette, and
file management skills are helpful.
- Two floppy disks are need for storing lab programming
assignments.
Placement Test
It is possible to challenge this class. In
order to do so, you must pass the two-part Computer Science placement test. To pass the
placement test, you must already have proficiency in at least one higher-level programming
language, and you must have a general understanding of computing concepts, terminology,
binary number system, data representation, functional components of computers, I/O
devices, storage devices, and computer applications.
If you intend to challenge CSC 1, you should drop this
course and immediately enroll in CSC 1A, a special designation just for persons
challenging CSC 1. For additional information about the challenge exam and CSC 1A, contact
the Computer Science Department (278-6834).
Workload
Please be advised that there is quite
a bit of work in this class. There will be work during the scheduled laboratory
session every week. However, there will be lab-book work and additional programming
assignments, which cannot be finished during the scheduled laboratory periods. You
will be expected to put in a considerable amount of time at the computers outside of
scheduled lab times. Computers are available at various locations on campus.
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