1. COMS 161 Introduction to Computing
Title: Course Introduction
Date: January 12, 2005
Lecture Number: 1

2. Observation from Last Semester
No getting up and leaving class during the allotted class time
It distracts other students
It is rude
It dis’s me
No basis in reality for this behavior
You simply cannot get up a leave a 50 minute meeting in the work place

3. Observation from Last Semester
Do not use a computer during class
You will not need it for the class, therefore you must be doing something unrelated to the class
It distracts other students
It is rude
It dis’s me

4. Observation from Last Semester
Due date have been established and are fixed
It is your responsibility to hand work in on time
Late work has no basis in reality
When you have a job you will need to meet your deadlines
Otherwise, you will not have a job for very long

5. Observation from Last Semester
You can’t punk me!

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

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

8. 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

9. COMS 161 - Syllabus Professor Paul F. Hemler Office: Bagby 110
Office Hours:
MF: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
W: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
TR: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
By Appointment
There is no reason we cannot find and set-up a meeting time

10. COMS 161 - Syllabus My email address: phemler@hsc.edu
Semester Schedule
Class Times:
MWF: 8:30am - 9:20am, 9:30am -10:20am
My address:
My phone number: 223 – 6202
My home page
Course home page
Department home page

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. COMS 161 - Syllabus Course Grading Policy
Straight-up, no curves, tricks, or illusions
Letter
Points A A- B+ B B-
Letter
Points C+ C C- D+ D F
0 - 59

16. COMS 161 - Syllabus Point Distribution Homework 20% Exams 40% Papers
Final Exam
Total Points = average homework *
average exam * 0.4 +
average paper * 0.2 +
final * 0.20

17. 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

18. 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

19. COMS 161 - Syllabus Exams: 40%
Three exams spaced throughout the semester
Exam
Exam Date
Weight 1
9/22/04
10% 2
10/25/04
15% 3
11/19/04

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

21. COMS 161 - Syllabus Research papers: 20%
Two research papers on topics related to the course will be required
No late papers will be accepted
Paper
Proposal Due
First Draft
Due Date 1
02/04/05
02/11/05
02/18/05 2
03/21/05
03/28/05
04/04/05

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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 , call me, stop by, ... 
There are no reasons for anyone to have unexcused absences

29. 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

30. 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