Comp25: Syllabus - Section 2

Professor Bio and Contact Information

The professor for Comp25 Section 1 is Catherine Schuler Sawyer.  More info.

Email: cschuler@pacific.edu

Desk: 209-946-3014

Class Dates and Hours

This class occurs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (three days a week) from January 11, 2010 until May 3 2010.

Lectures are on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting at 12:30pm and ending at 1:50 pm.  Lectures take place in Weber 102.

Labs sessions are on Fridays.  Your lab location and time depend on your lab assignment
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR LAB ASSIGNMENT

• Lab 3: 12:30 PM in CSB 111 Nick Weston-Dawkes TA
• Lab 4: 12:30 AM in CSB 113 Kari Huber

Office Hours

Computer Science Bldg:  Room #108

During the semester, Professor Schuler will be in the office Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am until 10:30am and 2:30pm until 4:30pm -- and by appointment as necessary.

Course Description

COMP 25 is a comprehensive course that focuses on the logic behind computer systems and computer programming.  For cohesiveness, the course has a theme that carries through the semester, but the foundation is based firmly on applications of mathematics and formal logic.  The course is organized around two principles; computational architecture and theory, and development and application of logical formulas and algorithms.  These two principles are explored and demonstrated through a semester project based on the development of technology for a simple business.

Students first assess the technology needs of their business by learning about data representation and digital numbering systems.  They select a computer system for their company with a full understanding of CPUs, clock speed, RAM, cache and other critical components. Students explore networking with emphasis on TCP/IP principles.  Students then learn programming by developing web pages (the “front end” of the business) and database queries (the “back end”).  They are exposed to programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

In addition, they learn the basic of algorithm construction through applications in Microsoft Excel logical operations, Microsoft Access database queries, and JavaScript algorithm implementations.  While these common Microsoft applications are used in COMP 25, they are not the focus of the class.  They are merely two programming tools, familiar to many students, which are used with other tools to develop more advanced concepts.

COMP  25 develops a number of skills, the foremost being critical thinking and written communications (oral communications, research skills and ethical reasoning are also developed to a lesser extent).  The logical and mathematical basis of the course constantly requires students to reason about design problems and develops software solutions for these problems.  The basic understanding of logical formulas is critical in the course, but the challenges presented by the assignments in this course cannot be solved simply by plugging numbers into formulas.  Each student must select the proper logical “tool” for each situation and determine the appropriate application of that tool.  Additionally, since a major portion of the course involved developing a web site for their business, it is imperative for the website to be logically organized and its information clearly presented. 

Quizzes and Exams

Students can expect bi-weekly quizzes (usually on Wed) with two tests: One mid-semester and the second at the end of the semester. The second test will be given on the last day of instruction.

Materials

Course materials and reading links are located on the course website: www1.pacific.edu/comp25

Students may wish to have a USB storage device to help move files from their personal computer to the server.

You do not need to have your own laptop for the class, but you may bring a laptop to the class to follow along with the lecture.  Please keep in mind that if you use your own computer for homework (as opposed to our library and labs), you may not have the software needed,  such as Microsoft Access or Excel for various assignments.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be recorded during each lecture and lab for the purpose of extra credit.  Students with a 90% or better attendance record for lecture and lab will receive a 1/2 point "upgrade" to their final course grade.  Attendance is particularly important as lectures comprise all of the tested material in this class.  The online reading links are supplementary to lecture materials.  Any student missing a class is responsible for making up the material discussed on his/her own time.  The student is responsible for being aware of all announcements made during his or her absence. Any absences for good cause MUST arranged ahead of time. Even if you are ill, you have ample opportunity to notify your professor by email or phone before class.

Homework and Labs

Homework and labs are generally graded using the following scale:

Homework-Lab Statement: (copy paste italicized text into Week 1 email as instructed)

All homework assignments are due each Monday following the week it was assigned, no later than 5 PM.  This gives you one full week to complete the assignment. All work will be uploaded to Sakai "Assignments" unless otherwise specified. Homework not uploaded on-time will be subject to a 25% penalty.  After two-weeks all incomplete scores will revert to zero. No exceptions.

Each Friday, you will have a hands-on lab assignment related to the week's subject matter. Lab assignments will be graded and subject to the same grading criteria as the homework. Lab attendance is not mandatory, however it is strongly recommended to give you an opportunity to correctly complete the lab assignment with supervision and get help with the homework assignment that is due the following Monday.  Also regular lab attendance is part of the extra credit opportunity.

If you choose not attend lab, your lab assignment for the current week must be complete and uploaded to Sakai BEFORE lab starts on Friday. If it not complete and uploaded the grade will be zero!  There is NO grace period if you miss lab and your lab is not uploaded to Sakai ahead of time!!

Style comprises 25% of all grading which means not only do you have to do it, you have to make it look good.  While this is entirely subjective, lectures and examples will provide assistance to help you understand what looks good and what doesn't.  This applies to all homework and lab assignments that have a design element such as spreadsheets, charts, web pages, and reports.

Grading

The following table describes how your final grade will be calculated:

Homework	35%
Labs	20%
Quizzes	25%
Test 1	10%
Test 2	10%
	100%

Grading will be done in Sakai utilizing the above scale.  All assignments will be weighted equally within each category.

Letter grades are calculated as follows:

Consideration for students falling directly on the cusp of a grade will be based on lab attendance, lecture attendance and class participation.

Honor Code

The University Honor Code is an essential element in academic integrity. It is a violation of the Honor Code to give or receive information from another student during an examination; or to submit all or part of someone else's works as one's own. If a student violates the Honor Code, the faculty member may refer the matter to the office of student life. If found guilty, the student may be penalized with failure of the assignment, or failure of the course. The student may also be reprimanded or suspended from the University.

Students with Disabilities

Any student with a physical disability or with a learning disability needing accommodations should register with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, in Bannister Hall.  The office will assist with any needed accommodations.  If you have questions or wish to discuss your disability, please feel free to see your professor directly.  More information can be found here.

Teacher Assistants (TAs)

Nick Weston-Dawkes (Lab 3)
He can be reached via email to n_westondawkes@PACIFIC.EDU

Kari Huber (Lab 4)
Kari can be reached via email to: k_huber1@pacific.edu