COLLEGE CATALOG DESCRIPTION :

Course cannot be applied to satisfaction of a Liberal Arts and Science elective in any curriculum or of graduation requirements in Computer Science curriculum at SCCC.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY:

This course is required for all three Information Technology tracks. An understanding of information technology concepts is essential for productive use of computers, networks, and related equipment, in organizations of all sizes and types. It is increasingly important to professionals, as well.

This course seeks to give students a thorough, general introduction to this area with particular emphasis on organizational and business uses of computers. Included are introductions to hardware, systems software, applications software, telecommunications, networking and the internet, databases, security, and ethical issues.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize and classify information systems encountered in everyday life and in the business world.
2. Recognize and define common terms and phrases used in the IT field.
3. Understand Internet basics and related hardware & software concepts.
4. Be familiar with how each of the following functions:   computer hardware, software, telecommunications, networking, the internet, world wide web.
5. Be familiar with the different forms and functions of electronic business, including electronic commerce, electronic document exchange (IDE), and other forms of business exchanges via internal networks and the internet.
6. Be familiar with the ethical issues and choices associated with the impacts of information technology, particularly with regard to both privacy and piracy.
7. Be familiar with security issues involved in general information technology, including internet security issues.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK:

"Computer Science Illuminated"   (4^the Edition.) by Nell Dale & John Lewis
Jones & Bartlett Publishers; ISBM 978-0-7637-7646-6

OTHER MATERIALS:

Flash-stick to save files.

COMPUTER & INTERNET ACCESS:

Between classes, the student should have computer access to the internet, to obtain assignments, submit homeworks and projects, etc.   (NOTE:   If you have ANY difficulty at all in obtaining internet access between classes please see the instructor after class to remedy this difficulty.)

COURSE POLICIES:

• GRADING POLICY:

  		Comprehensive final exam:		    40%
  		Tests and quizzes:			    40%
  		Homework, assignments, projects:	    20%
  		* Participation			+/- 10%
  		 ("Participation" includes: in-class participation, preparedness, excessive absences, etc.)
  

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• ATTENDANCE POLICY:   Attention is directed to the following statement of college policy.

  "The college expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility with regard to class attendance. All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are registered. Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance."

  Consequently, each student in this course is strongly advised to make standing arrangements with another individual student to take detailed notes, collect handouts, relay announcements, etc., in the event 'e doesn't show up at class. While you are encouraged to contact the instructor for advice before (or after) missing a class, it is more effective to have your "buddy" take detailed notes, and the student remains responsible for "all that transpires in class".

  Find a "buddy" to cover for you!    
  Do it now, not after missing a class.

  This instructor does not give credit for mere attendance, nor is credit lost for absence. Attendance is not a direct factor in grading policy, but it may indirectly affect the "participation" component.

  College policy defines "Excessive Absence or Lateness" as "more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings". While attendance is not a component of grading policy for this class, a student missing more than one week of consecutive classes - without making any contact with the instructor - may be removed from the class roster and given either a "W" or an "F" grade, at the instuctor's option.

  
  

• SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENTS & LABORATORY TIME:

  In-class laboratory time is NOT intended for students to do most of their work on the programming assignments and projects; these assignments are to be done between classes, and are expected to require a minimum of 6 hours per week to complete independently, at your own pace.

  Also, please note: In-class laboratory time is NOT intended for computer activites unrelated to the college curriculum (such as games, entertainment, "instant messager", "surfing the web", etc.) Use of classroom computers for unrelated activities may result in loss of privileges.

  
  
• CODE OF CONDUCT:     *** Please take note ***
  

  SCCC STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ... Although not all-inclusive, the following actions, activities or behaviors are expressly prohibited: "Unauthorized or illegal use of College computer facilities or equipment, such as hacking; duplication or unauthorized use of copyrighted software; destruction, unauthorized transfer or alteration of files; unauthorized use of another individual's identification, password or work." Any student guilty of the above may receive a failing grade in that class, be dismissed from class and/or be referred to the Dean of Students for further discipline proceedings.

	1.	The big picture.
		Binary values and Numbering systems (part 1).

	2.	Binary values and Numbering systems (part 2).
		Data representation.
			(e.g. for integers, rationals and irrationals numbers, etc. as well as  
			images, sound, structures, etc.  Also:  compression, encription, error-detection, etc.)

	3.	The hardware layer.

	4.	Computing components.

	5.	Low-level programming languages and pseudocode.

	6.	Problem solving and Algorithms.

	7.	Abstract data types and subprograms.

	8.	Object-Oriented Design and high-level programming languages.

	9.	Operating systems.

	10.	File systems and directories.

	11.	Information systems.

	12.	Networks, the Internet, and the World Wide Web.