COMS 161 Introduction to Computing

1. COMS 161Introduction to Computing Title: Course Introduction Date: August 25, 2004 Lecture Number: 1

2. Announcements • I try to make class announcements at this time • Like assignments, program due dates, etc…

3. Review • I try to give a brief review of what we covered in the last class to motivate you for this class

4. Outline • I try to give an outline of the topics we will cover in this class • If all goes well, the outline for this class becomes the review for the next class • Rules of the Game • Go through the syllabus and calendar • Course Introduction

5. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Professor Paul F. Hemler • New at the HSC this year • Office: Bagby 110 • Office Hours: • MWF: 3:00pm - 4:00pm • TR: 10:00am - 12:00noon • By Appointment • There is no reason we cannot find and set-up a meeting time

6. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Semester Schedule • Class Times: • MWF: 8:30am - 9:20am • My email address: phemler@hsc.edu • My phone number: 223 – 6202 • My home page • Course home page • Department home page

7. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Course Objectives • To develop a thorough understanding of the organization and functioning of digital computers. Topics include: • Computer architecture • Systems • Theory • Logic • Programming

8. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Course Objectives (Cont.) • To achieve a thorough understanding of the organization and use of the Internet and the World Wide Web • To better understand multimedia and networking as methods for information exchange

9. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Course Objectives (Cont.) • To understand and appreciate the ethical, moral, and legal issues surrounding computers and computer networks • To gain a historical perspective on today’s computer and network technologies • To become aware of many facets of the computer science discipline

10. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Course Textbook • Exploring the Digital Domain, Second Edition by Ken Abernethy and Tom Allen

11. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Course Grading Policy • Straight-up, no curves, tricks, or illusions

12. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Point Distribution

13. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Homework: 20% • Homework assignments to help you understand the book material • No late homework will be accepted • Homework is due at the start of class on the due date

14. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Homework: 20% (Cont.) • Write your solutions clearly and concisely on the paper you hand in • The work you hand in is a reflection of you • Make it look good and easy for me to evaluate • Put a box around your final answer

15. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Exams: 40% • Three exams spaced throughout the semester

16. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Exams: 40% (Cont.) • Closed book, Open mind • No make-up exams unless your absence is excused • Come prepared

17. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Research papers: 20% • Two research papers on topics related to the course will be required

18. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Research papers: 20% (Cont.) • Here are some potential topics and we will discover more as the course progressed. • Feel free to investigate any Computer Science topic you may be interested in.

19. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Research papers: 20% (Cont.) • The papers should be written according to the guidelines you learned in you Rhetoric 101 and 102 classes • Papers must be on a topic that is new to you • Paper should not have been or is being done for another course

20. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Research papers: 20% (Cont.) • Grading • Research: - research quality and thoroughness; significance and credibility of sources • Persuasion: - thesis and arguments presented clearly; sources used effectively; points well-justified • Style: - grammar and spelling; organization; presentation

21. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Final Exam: 20% • Mandatory on the assigned date and time. • Cumulative • Your last opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the course material • It is important you prepare for this exam

22. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Class Attendance: • Mandatory • I will keep a class roll • We will cover material that may not be in the book, but is  important for you to know • Class is fun, interesting, and informative

23. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Class Attendance: (Cont.) • Your third unexcused absence get you a special meeting with me • Your sixth unexcused absence gets you • A letter from the Dean • Grade Drop of a letter (B- goes to a C-) • Class roll taken at the start of class(8:30 sharp) • If you miss the roll but are in the class • See me at the end of class

24. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Class Attendance: (Cont.) • There are good reasons for missing a class • Sickness, death in the family, ..., • You will be excused from the class if you let me know before the class you intend to miss • Send email, call me, stop by, ...  • There are no reasons for anyone to have unexcused absences

25. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Commitment: • You should expect to spend 9 hours a week on this class • 3 hours in class • 4 hours reading the text book • 2 hours doing homework problems • Less than 4 hours or more than 12 hours per week means there is something is wrong

26. COMS 161 - Syllabus • Extra curricular activities: • Let me know if your play a sport that will require travel and missing class • You should have a schedule of those classes you will miss • Share it with me ASAP

27. Class Introduction • Let’s get to know each other • Name • Year • Where are you from? • Major (if known) • What do you like to do for fun? (Or tell us something that nobody in here knows about you.) • Why are you here?

28. Class Introduction • Me First!