CS 115: Syllabus, Fall 2006

Description

Like many sciences today, Computer Science is responsible for changing how we live, think, communicate and comprehend the world around us. This course is designed for CS nonmajors who wish to better understand how computer science affects their lives as well as those who want to understand the nature of computer science as an intellectual endeavor.

This is a course covering some practical skills including some current programming technologies (HTML, Java Scripts, Java Applets, etc.), as well as some of the great ideas behind computer science (such as an algorithm, recursion, and automata). This course would be useful for someone with an interest in learning about computer science and how to do more sophisticated things with computers than those provided in CS110, but who do not have an interest in becoming programmers or computer scientists. This course would also be ideal for students who are interested in exploring computer science as a possible major, but are not sure what computer science is about. This course does not satisfy a requirement in the computer science department.

Instructor:   Elizabeth Boese

The official prerequisite is M120 or MCC120 or high school algebra
            and some familiarity with personal computers
      (Consult the instructor if you are unsure of your background)

Topic Outline

1. Introduction, objectives
2. Problem Solving
3. Computer components and history
4. Programming and Languages Overview
5. Psuedo-Random
6. Search
7. Web design and development
8. Artificial Intelligence
9. Security
10. ... TBA

Written Work

Essays and answers to discussion questions on homework assignments must be

• coherent
• succinct
• readable
• grammatically correct
• typed (unless in-class exercise)
  Part of the grading for such questions reflects this. I expect perfect spelling and grammar on all assignments!

  In-class exercises
  need only list the relevant points.
  Since you will not have time to write more than one draft
  I will be more lenient on grammar, spelling, and style.

  All work must be neat and legible
  Illegible or poorly formatted work receives no credit
  I reserve the right to define what is or is not legible or easily read

Grading

Your grade is based on

• 200 pts:   three papers and website (50 pts each)
• 150 pts:   Prep work (includes participation)
• 100 pts:   Assignments
• 150 pts:   Recitation exercises (includes participation)
•   50 pts:   mid-term exam
• 100 pts:  final examination

Extra credit is available throughout the course.

Perfect spelling and grammar is required for ALL assignments/papers.

Final letter grades are based on the relative distribution of total scores

and not on any preset numerical scale

Course Resources

Course Files

On-line copies of handouts, assignments, and other documents for the course are available through the course Web page, http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~cs115/,

Computing Resources

All programming/Web assignments should be tested on a machine in the Computer Science Recitation/Lab room. The instructor or graduate teaching assistant runs your program on these machines to determine your grade.

Other work may be done on any computing equipment to which you have access.

Other Policies

Policies on cheating, plagiarism, incomplete grades, attendance, discrimination, sexual harassment, and student grievances are described in the Student Information Guide. All other matters follow the policies set in the current Colorado State University General Catalog. Students are responsible for all the information in these documents.

Monday	August 21	Classes Begin
Monday	September 4	Labor Day - No classes
Wednesday	December 13	Final Exam 8am-9am