Indiana University - Bloomington
Computer Science Department

CSCI A111
A Survey of Computers and Computing

Fall 1998 -- First eight weeks

This information is subject to change.
Changes will appear on the web version and
any major changes will be announced in class.

General information

Instructor

Christopher Haynes (Chris), phone 855-3376, office LH230F, email chaynes@indiana.edu

Associate Instructors

David Child, office LH401E, email dchild@indiana.edu

Credit Hours

1.5

Lecture

Section 1273 meet Monday and Wednesday from 4:00P to 4:50P in LH102

Laboratories

Section 1274 meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30A to 10:45A in SE045

Section 1275 meets Tuesday and Thursday from 11:15A to 12:30P in BH308

Section 1276 meets Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00P to 5:15P in SE045

Switching labs: If you need to make up a lab, or you need extra laboratory time, you may attend a laboratory session other than the one you registered for. However, students who have registered for a laboratory get priority if there are not enough computers for everyone.

Office Hours

Chris: M 2:25P-3:55P, F 9:00A-10:00A, and F 11:30A-12:00P in LH230F

David: Time TBA in LH112

Class Web Site

www.cs.indiana.edu/classes/a111

Catalog Description

Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra or M014, and some prior computing experience.  Survey of computing concepts, with emphasis on problem solving techniques. Experience in a variety of popular applications software for tasks such as word processing, web browsing, spreadsheet calculations, and databases. Lecture and laboratory.  Half semester.

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Relation to other courses

This course is a half-semester version of A110 for those who already have some experience with computers.  A110, A111, or equivalent experience is prerequisite to other half-semester computer science courses numbered A112 through A116. If you have very little or no experience with computers, take A110 instead of A111.  If you have already taken  A106 or another one-semester "computer literacy" course (such as BUS K201), you should not be in this course.  If you have had a year or more of high-school computer training, or have had a wide variety of computer experiences at home or elsewhere,  you probably do not need this course either. Ask the instructor if you are in doubt about whether you belong in this course. 

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Materials

• Several double-sided, high-density (DS HD) 3.5" disks. Bring them to laboratory sessions.
• A network ID and password. If you do not have a Network ID, bring your Student ID Number and your Registration PIN to your first lab so you can create a Network ID in lab. See IU Account Services to create a network account or to add a new account (such as your NT Domain account).
• A double-pocket folder for 8.5"x11" paper. Write your name and lab section number clearly on the front and bring it to class. This is your portfolio.
• The text for A111 (and A110) is entitled Introduction to Computing, by Andrew Harris, et al. of the IU Multi-campus Modular Computing Curriculum group. It will be available in printed form from the IMU and TIS bookstores, and is also available on the web at http://www.cs.indiana.edu/mmcc/a/.
• An optional, but highly recommended text is The Better Way, by Rich Fulcher and Bill Deuber, custom published, 1997. All material in this book that you are responsible for will be covered in class.
• Another optional text is Computers in Your Future (2nd Edition), by Marilyn Meyer and Roberta Baber, Que, 1997. This book may be useful as a general reference, but other books of this sort might serve as well. This and the previous book should also be available at the standard textbook stores.

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Schedules

Lecture

There are two lectures per week. The first lecture will usually involve demonstrating the features of the particular application required to complete the module for that week. The second lecture will focus on more conceptual computing issues.

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Laboratory

In the first lab session each week you will be given a drill to practice the skills of that week's module. You are strongly encouraged to seek help from your neighbors in the lab while doing the drill. After completing the drill you may also wish to practice on your own both in lab and on your own time.

Then you may take the module test, durng which you may not have any help from others. However, you may use any written material you bring, and of course whenever you are using a computer you can use the on-line help. Module tests are graded pass/fail. If you fail a module test, you may repeat it a second and (except for module 7) a third time with similar tests. However, there is a grade penalty for repeated tries explained in the grading section below. Tests for a given module will be available only during the week the module is introduced and the following week, and may not be started more than thirty minutes after the beginning of a lab period.

A final lab test will be given in the last lab, covering lab material in the first six modules. This test is not graded pass/fail and may not be repeated. Module tests may not be taken during this last lab session. You may also use any written material you bring during the final lab test.

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Portfolios

Portfolios are to be submitted in class on the dates indicated. Late portfolio submissions will not be accepted. The portfolio is to contain all assignments and any class exercises given up to that time, or in the case of the second submission, after the first submission. Links to the assignments will appear in the table below at least by the dates indicated in the lecture schedule above.

Assignments may be given to David Child in the lab for early grading, and will be returned with a grade in lab the following week. If you are happy with the grade, just turn it in with the portulio as usual. Otherwise, you may redo the assignment and turn the new version in with the portfolio. (You may not turn in the same assignment more than once for early grading.) Since grades from early submissions will not be recorded, be sure to turn it in again with the portfolio if you are happy with the grade, or you will not get credit. Incomplete partial submissions will likely receive a failing grade without comment.

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Grading

The following are approximate percentage contributions to the final grade. To pass a module test, you must demonstrate mastery of the material by making at most two mistakes. If a module test is passed on the first try it is worth 6 points, on the second try 5 points, and on the third try 4 points.

Portfolio assignments are graded Unsatisfactory, Ok, Good, or Excellent (roughly F, C, B, or A), with the following meaning:

• Unsatisfactory: does not represent a reasonable attempt.
• Ok: a reasonable attempt, but falls a bit short of some of the assignment's description or intent.
• Good: fully (or very nearly) fulfills the assignment's description and intent. The intent is always that assignments be done with careful attention to writing and presentation style, and demonstrate suitable use of computer technology.
• Excellent: demonstrates initiative and creativity in going significantly beyond the assignment's description.

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Administrivia

Incompletes

An incomplete (I) final grade will be given only by prior arrangement in exceptional circumstances conforming to departmental policy in which the bulk of course work has been completed in passing fashion.

Possibly important dates

M 9/28: last day to withdraw without approval

M 10/12: last day to withdraw with Dean's approval Makeups

Makeups

Not allowed unless pre-arranged with the instructor.

Attendance

Formal attendance will not be taken in lecture or laboratory sections.  However, often lecture material will be necessary complete a lab exercise.  Little if any time will be available in the laboratory to assist those who have missed relevant lectures without justification. And the exam will test the more conceptual lecture material.

Academic integrity

The standard penalty for any form of academic dishonesty in this course is failure in the course. Providing or receiving help during exams or laboratory tests, or submitting the work of another as your own, both constitute academic dishonesty. There are no "small" offenses. The Computer Science Department statement on academic integrity provides further information.

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Getting Help

If you feel you need help, don't hesitate to see Chris or David during their office hours, or if these times don't work for you, see them after class or lab, or send them email, or give them a call, and schedule another time. Of course simple questions may often be handled during or after class or lab. It's your responsibility to ask for help before you get behind. Also, the Student Academic Center (SAC) is offering a one-credit course this fall that will help students set priorities, manage their time, take effective notes, and master other skills that can make the difference between struggling and thriving. The SAC can make your life easier in many ways, and they can tailor services to help address your specific needs. Please feel free to call them at 855-7313, or visit their web site at http://www.indiana.edu/~sac/.

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Course Evaluation

Before the end of the course, please complete the electronic course evaluation forms for Chris Haynes and David Child.  Click here to go to the Course Evaluation Page.

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