Computer Science 1TA3 Course Outline
Elementary Computing and Computer Use
Term II, 2009-10
Instructor
Christopher Anand, Computing and Software, ITB 213
email: anandc at university . ca
Teaching Assistant
Yogesh Chinta Venkateswarao, Computing and Software, ITB 229
email: chintay as above
Stephen Adams
email: adamssw as above
Calendar Description
Organization of microcomputers (hardware and operating systems) and overview of computer communications; introduction to information exchange using word processing/presentation software, the Internet and Web pages; problem solving using electronic spreadsheets and database applications.
Course Assistance
In addition to consulting your instructor during designated office
hours or at an individually arranged time, you have the following
assistance available:
FOR LECTURE MATERIAL AND ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Computing and Software Dept. Drop-in Centre,
ITB (Information Technology Building) Room 101
Staffed by: Mr. John Nakamura, Senior Instructional Assistant
ext. 27017
Asghar Bokhari, Instructional Assistant
ext. 27554
who are Computing and Software Department staff members
and are available at the Drop-in Centre during scheduled times
to provide help with course related material, assignments and
projects. Drop-in Centre hours will be announced in class and
posted on the Centre's door. The Drop-in Centre is equipped with
a couple of PC workstations for the on-duty assistant to check
your work.
2. Teaching Assistants
Your TA is employed by the Computing and Software Department
and is assigned to a group of students called a tutorial group.
The TA for each group is available in the workstation
cluster area during the period that is reserved for
your tutorial. At this time, the TA can provide help to clarify
common and individual problems about assignments and lecture
material as well as answer queries about marked assignments and tests.
COMPUTER FACILITIES:
UTS (University Technology Services) maintain several
computer labs on campus. There are labs in JHE (room 234),
BSB (room 244-245,248-249), ABB (room 166) and KTH (room B121, B123).
In some of the areas, there are UTS staff called
Student Consultants (SC) who are on duty in the computing labs.
Student consultants are available to provide technical help
on using the facilities (hardware & software).
They are INSTRUCTED NOT TO HELP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF
SOLUTIONS TO THE ASSIGNMENTS. They are not familiar with
the course content or focus.
Schedule
C01 Mo We 08:30 09:20 2 HH/109 ANAND, C
Fr 10:30 11:20 2 HH/109 ANAND, C
T01 Mo 14:30 15:20 2 KTH/B121
T02 Mo 10:30 11:20 2 KTH/B121
T03 Mo 13:30 14:20 2 KTH/B121
All tutorials are held in one of the microcomputer cluster areas where
you will be able to use a microcomputer during your tutorial period.
Tutorials are optional; however, students are responsible for any
materials or exercises done in the tutorials.
TUTORIALS BEGIN: Jan. 11, 2009
If a tutorial has not been assigned to you, go to ITB 101 (Drop in Centre)
and get assigned one.
Course Objectives
This course is intended to introduce students to the fundamentals
of computing. No previous computing experience is required, BUT
students are advised that this course will require student complete
tasks using several computer applications.
Students without experience using a personal computer with Windows-based
software should plan to spend extra time to complete their practical
work. Learning to use specific software applications is not the
subject of this course. Lectures will focus on general aspects of computing.
The first set of lectures is designed to provide an overview of the
computer system: hardware, software (including the operating system),
data representation, data storage and information exchange
(including word-processing, e-mail and the Internet). Then, problem
solving using application packages (with emphasis on spreadsheet
and database applications).
Students will be assigned practical problems to solve using examples
of the software discussed in lectures and in tutorials.
Outline of Topics
We will cover the topics in the order they appear in the book. Advanced topics not for credit will be inserted in the appropriate place. Advanced topics which may be covered on the tests and exam will be added to the end of the course subject to the availability of time.
Computing Basics
Document Creation
Numeric Processing
Information Management
Digital Representation of Sound and Images
Computer Organization
Software Development
Operating Systems
Networks
Internet Applications
Data Storage and Compression
If there is time, we will cover topics which may include:
Open Source Software
Cloud Computing
Pervasive Computing and Privacy
The Smart Revolution: Greening our Economy using Optimization
iTunes and the Little Guy: New opportunities for entrepreneurship
The tutorials will cover hands-on tasks, a subset of which will form the basis of the assignments. The topics covered in the hands-on sessions are flexible, and you are encouraged to discuss on ELM particular tasks you are having trouble with or would like to know more about.
Word Processing
Collaboration (in WP applications, with on-line documents, with version control)
Spreadsheets
Practical aspects of on-line privacy
Databases
Format
The course comprises three one-hour lectures per week plus
one one-hour tutorial.
Student Assessment (Grading)
There will be weekly in-class quizes worth 3% each, given on Friday.
There will be three assignments, each worth 10%.
There will be a final exam worth 40%.
Throughout the term, marks for assignments and the tests will be posted electronically.
It is each student's responsibility to ensure that he or she
is credited for the correct marks prior to writing the final exam.
Discrepancies must be discussed with Dr. Anand and
marked assignments or test papers MUST be produced if required to
substantiate claims.
NOTE: Medical absences for missed tests and assignments must be
confirmed in writing and submitted to your Dean of Studies.
After submitting the excusal to your Dean of Studies, talk to
the instructor for further instruction.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments will be released as computer files available for copy
on ELM. The due date and time for each assignment
will appear near the beginning of the assignment text.
ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE AND TIME!
Assignment Submission:
All assignments are submitted electronically within ELM.
Pay careful attention to the file format (type) the assignment
is to be handed in. An improper file format submission will result in
losing marks.
REMEMBER: Assignments must be the INDIVIDUAL work of the student
under whose name it is submitted. If, in the opinion of the instructor
or grader, there is evidence of academic dishonesty, a mark of possibly zero
will be assigned and the student's Dean of Studies will be notified
and further action taken.
Excuses for missed tests must be obtained from the Office of the Associate
Dean of Studies for the student's Faculty of undergraduate programme
registration.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
Scheduled by the registrar.
Resources
We will closely follow "Exploring the Digital Domain: An Introduction to Computers and Information Fluency, Second Edition", Kenneth Abernethy, J. Thomas Allen, for the theory component of the course. Look for a used copy on-line.
COMPUTING EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE:
University Facilities:
There are several microcomputer cluster areas on campus
(e.g JHE 234, KTH B123, ABB 166, BSB 244-245,248,249).
These areas are run by UTS (University Technology Services)
and NOT by this department.
ALL areas should have access to the software that will be used
in this course (OpenOffice is only in KTH). Note that access
to the Internet may be restricted during specific periods.
NOTE: During certain time periods, some or all of the
computers may be reserved for course labs. In addition, these facilities
are shared by over 1000 students each term; therefore, do not leave
your work to the last minute when it may be difficult to find a free
computer.
Personal Computers:
Students who own a personal computer should find it possible to use their
own machine. However, students using their own computers are, themselves,
responsible for ensuring that the software they use conforms to that
which is used at the University facilities for this course.
Instructor Specific Information
No Calculators or notes will be allowed in tests and exams.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other
fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of
zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript
(notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or
suspension or expulsion from the university.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty.
For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to
the Academic Integrity Policy, specifically Appendix 3, located at
www.mcmaster.ca/policy/ac_ethics.htm
The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one's own or for
which other credit has been obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.
The instructor in this course may be using a software package designed
to reveal plagiarism. In such cases, students will be required to submit
their work electronically and in hard copy so that it can be checked
for academic dishonesty.
Faculty Notices
"The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an
environment that is free of all discrimination. If there
is a problem, individuals are reminded that they should
contact the Department Chair, the Sexual Harassment Officer
or the Human Rights Consultant, as the problem occurs."
"The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the
course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines
for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of
modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the
students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on
changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster
email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes."
Outline revised: Dec 9, 2009. Christopher Anand