IT 103 An Introduction to Computing, 3 units

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
Course Description Spring 2002 Web CT  http://webct.gmu.edu
Office Hours of  IT 103 Instructors and TAs  http://mason.gmu.edu/~sschorli/IT103/it103officehours.doc DESCRIPTION:
An introduction, using both lecture and laboratory practice, to the nature and uses of computers. Widely used applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, and computer communications and networking are studied. Laboratory projects are required in these areas. Additional lectures address computer systems organization, legal and ethical considerations, programming languages, security, artificial intelligence, and the Internet. Software: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Netscape, MS Access. Students will learn Windows 98 and will be exposed to the Unix operating system. They will learn the Unix editor pico and the pine program for email. Students will make simple web pages and learn basic html.

Students who think they already know the material in IT 103 should read the information on Credit By Examination. Click here for information on Credit By Examination. Next, they should register for the exam. Click here to register for the Credit By Examination (CBE) (http://www.irc.gmu.edu/wems/events/view.cfm?)

GRADING POLICY:
Labs 20%, lab exams (10%), midterm (20%), quiz (5%), project (20%), final exam (25%). These are general guidelines. Scores may be curved at the instructor's discretion at the end of the term. The "A" student attends all classes and completes all units. Students must get an A on the midterm, final exam, and final project to get an A in the course.

Labs assignment with assigned dates and due dates are contain in the Lab Schedule within your lab WebCt. Students who anticipate absences are discouraged from taking the class. No makeups for quizzes or exams for any reason. Contact your instructor in advance if you have a serious problem that prevents you from meeting course requirements.

• Labs: Note: for help on the web using the Mason Computing environment, see: http://irc.gmu.edu/docs/ or http://mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/how-to.htm

• Class Project: See the project folder in the lecture WebCt for details.

HONOR CODE:
You may ask other students for help during lab (in fact, you are encouraged to do so), but each student is expected to do his/her own work. Lab exams are to be done without assistance. Projects are to be written in your own words. Any student caught cheating on exams or copying assignments will be turned in to the Honor Committee. Help is always available. See your instructor or TA if you have any problems or concerns. We want everyone to learn a lot and do well!

     GMU Honor Code
     GMU Responsible Use of Computing Policy

READINGS:
Pfaffenberger,  Computers in your Future
Ericksen, Web Page: Creation & Design
Shelly, et al. Microsoft Office 2000:  Introductory Concepts and Techniques. Enhanced Edition
Shelly, et al. Word 2000 Project 8
Shelly, et al. Microsoft Windows 98: Essential Concepts and Techniques
Note: Bring the lab textbook and one 3 1/2" high density disks to labs.
(Optional Recommended Reading: Ron White, How Computers Work Que Corporation, 1999.)

Week
1        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 1 and 2
          Lecture 1: Hardware and Software Mysteries Revealed

2        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 3 and 4
          Lecture 2:  Bits and Bytes, Media, Word Processing

3        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 4
          Lecture 3: The Spreadsheet

4        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 5 and 6
          Lecture 4: Networking and the Internet

5        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 7
          Lecture 5: Unix and HTML

6        Reading: Ericksen, Web Page: Creation and Design
          Lecture 6: Review

7        Reading: (Review Chapters 1-7)
          Lecture: MIDTERM (No makeups for any reason!)
          Lab: SAM Exams, MS Word and Excel Skills

8        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 8
          Lecture 8: Programming Languages and the User Interface

9        Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 4 and 9
          Lecture 9: Databases and Privacy Issues

10      Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 9 and 10
          Lecture 10 Computer Security, Netiquette, and Health Issues

Projects DUE for Sections 001-005: Lecture Day, Week of April 1 By 9pm.  NO LATE PROJECTS!
Projects DUE for Section 006: Lecture Day, April 8 By 9pm.  NO LATE PROJECTS!

11      Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 1
          Lecture 11: The History of Computing

12      Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 9
          Lecture 12: The Impact of Computers on Society, Ethics, and Law

13      Reading: Pfaffenberger, Computers in Your Future Chapter 10
          Lecture 13: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

14      Final Review
          Lab: SAM Exams, Powerpoint and Access Skills

Section 001 Tues   5/14    1:30-2:45pm
Section 002 Tues   5/14    4:30-5:45pm
Section 003 Tues   5/14    5:55-7:10pm
Section 004 Mon   5/13    7:30-8:45pm
Section 005 Wed   5/8      4:30-5:45pm
Section 006 Thur    5/9      1:30-2:45pm