This course provides an overview of computer science. It is designed to provide a foundation for future courses in the field. It introduces the learner to computer architecture, machine language, operating systems, algorithms, programming languages, software engineering, data structures, file structures, database structures, networking, artificial intelligence, and related social issues.
Computer Science – an overview, 8th Edition,
by J. Glenn Brookshear,
Pub: Addison Wesley, ISBN #: 0321247264
Microsoft Word 97 or better
Virus scanner, all files you submit need to be scanned. If we both virus scan the work, we avoid most potential problems.
Other Requirements:
There will be two project style exams (midterm exam and final exam) and a course project (worth up to 20 points). The course project will contain several problems to answer and/or essay question(s) to be done during the course. Each of the exams is worth up to 70 points. The format of the exams could include true/false, multiple choice, fill in blank, essay and/or essay questions. It will cover the material that has been presented in the course’s textbooks. The course’s textbook is the basis for all exam answers.
The exam will be available at the end of week three and seven respectively. The exam will be completed no later than the last day of the week on week four and eight respectively. This gives learners a few days to work the project style exam and a few days to make sure that I receive it via email. I acknowledge all emails from students. It is your responsibility to make sure that I receive your emails and the exam. If I have not acknowledged receiving it, then, I did not receive it.
[1] Exam one (midterm) will cover the listed readings from week one up through and including week three.
[2] Exam two (final) will cover the listed readings from week one up through and including week seven.
[3] The course Project assignment will contain several problems to answer and/or essay question(s) to be completed during the course.
Discussion: Earn up to 5 points per week
The student is required to respond to a weekly course-related discussion question. These questions will be provided weekly. Grading of response will be based on the instructor’s subjective evaluation of its content, grammar, and punctuation. Although a specific length is not mandated, the question’s response should be about 150 to 400 words, be well thought out and provide value to the class discussion. (Due Day 3, Wednesday)
Late work
Please note the due date for the Discussion Question and the Exams. Late email submission of an exam results in a reduction of (20) points per day. Late posting of a discussion question results in a reduction of (1) point per day. Late email submission of the course project results in a reduction of (5) points per day. The course will use the Canyon College server’s timestamp as the date and time basis for discussion questions posting, exam email submissions and course project email submission. Both exams and the course project will be submitted to the instructor’s Canyon College email address.
Schedule and Assignments:
Please note that any changes to the following reading assignments will be posted with the discussion question for the next week in the online classroom.
Week One
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Zero: Introduction
Chapter One: Data Storage
Chapter Two: Data Manipulation
Review this Syllabus carefully, it contains an initial assignment for the learner to email the instructor (no grading point value), but it is important.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Discussion Question for Week One: What are your beliefs regarding question six on page pg 70? Support your position.
All of the discussion questions for the course and the course project assignment will be posted in the classroom during week one of the course.
Week Two
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Three: Operating Systems
Chapter Four: Networking and the Internet
Chapter Five: Algorithms
Review and start working on the Course Project assignment.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Three
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Six: Programming Languages
Chapter Seven: Software Engineering
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Midterm: The Exam will be emailed to students on or before Sunday (day 7)
Week Four
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Eight: Data Abstraction
Assignment:
Work the Project Style Midterm Exam
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Midterm: Exam is Due on Sunday (day 7)
Week Five
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Nine: Database Systems
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Six
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Ten: Artificial Intelligence
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Week Seven
Reading Assignments:
Chapter Eleven: Theory of Computation
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Final: The final exam will be emailed to students on or before Sunday (day 7).
Week Eight
Assignment:
Work the Project Style Final Exam.
Discussion Question: (Due day 3, Wednesday)
Exam Final: Exam is Due on Sunday (day 7)
Course Project Assignment: Due on Sunday (day 7)
Other Course Policy:
I try to resolve all issues using email first. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
It is important that you read this syllabus carefully since I follow it (unless there is a typo, major unforeseen event or there is an error in it; Note, I always reserve the right to change the syllabus for these reasons). After reading the syllabus, your first assignment is to email me and provide me with the email address that I should use for you during the course (also your name, a backup email address and your phone number).
It is important that your email address does not have spam filters that could block my emails to you. It is your responsibility to disable any spam filters or similar blocking software that could prevent me from sending emails to your mailbox. It is your responsibility to supply me with a reliable mailbox.
You should receive your exams via email from your instructor at the end of week three and seven respectively. If not, it is your responsibility to email your instructor and request the exam. Note that the syllabus contains the course policies regarding email with your instructor. The exam is to be returned to the instructor's Canyon email address. Place you're filled out answer sheet with your full name on it in the body of the email and as an attached text file (ending in .txt). Copy yourself on the email and save the copy as backup. It is a good idea to finish and email the exam a few days a head of time.
