Date: Tue, 05 Nov 1996 00:33:52 GMT Server: NCSA/1.5 Content-type: text/html Last-modified: Sun, 08 Sep 1996 00:38:49 GMT Content-length: 19180 CS 132 Lectures 3 & 4 Syllabus Spring 1996

Instructor:

Sally (Sarah) Peterson
EMAIL: sally@cs.wisc.edu or slpeters@facstaff.wisc.edu
Office: 5381 Computer Science (Extra handouts on shelf outside at all hours)
Office hours: Tuesday 10:45-11:45, Thursday 11:00-12:00 or by appointment
Phone: 263-7763 or 262-1204 (CS dept. number)

Course Introduction:

This class is designed to take you from zero knowledge of computers to being a crack shot user (and using these skills to get yourself through college and into the job arena!). Lectures 3 & 4 use Macintosh computers in labs while Lectures 1 & 2 use PC computers. Many software packages allow you to switch back and forth between the Mac and the PC (we'll discuss this), but you may not switch between lectures 1 & 2 and lectures 3 &4, as they are given by different lecturers.

The course has two components:

Part 1 - Lecture: In the lecture we will discuss computers in "generic" terms, i.e. general computer science topics. We will discuss how computers work, including the following topics (not necessarily in this order):

Whew! These topics are comparable to those you'll find in non-Macintosh environments. What you learn will be useful in the "real world". Both lectures (9:30 and 11:00) will cover the same material. Lecture outlines are available from DoIT/MACC for a small fee prior to the lecture. You may attend either lecture (for exams you need to attend at the time for which you are registered). Exam material will be based on the lectures and textbook. Part 2 - Lab: In the laboratory (discussion) sections you will have hands-on experience on Macintosh IIci computers with the following programs:

An integral part of lab is learning the Macintosh operating system (System 7.5.3) as well.

In addition, there are some special tools (CD-ROM and scanners) available. There are 10 TAs that teach these sections. You will learn the name of your TA and his/her office location and office hours at your first lab session. One or more of our TAs may speak English with a noticeable accent. In some cases, an accent might cause some initial difficulty in understanding, but in a short time such difficulties usually disappear and accents become familiar to one's ear. If for whatever reason you experience difficulties in understanding your instructor, then requests for repeating sentences and for clarification can and should be made. Not only does this help you, the student, but it also helps your instructor in improving his or her presentations and in becoming a more effective teacher. Other classroom difficulties can usually be cleared up by bringing them to the attention of your instructor either after lecture or in her office. Both the TAs and I have the goal of providing you with high quality instruction and a rich educational experience.

Yes, LABS meet starting on the first day of the semester.

We have our own Macintosh computers: The laboratory is located on the first floor of the Computer Science Building in Room 1366. The room is along the hallway in the north-west corner of the building.

Disks: You must have TWO 3.5 inch disks on which you will keep your Macintosh projects. You should have two so you can save your work in two locations. These disks may be purchased from MACC. Be sure that you buy double sided high density diskettes. "HD" should be preprinted on the label of the diskettes you purchase.

Attendance: You will not be graded on lecture attendance or participation. However, we strongly recommend lecture attendance and you are solely responsible for making sure that you do not miss assignment due dates and other class information including announcements, exam rooms and material covered on the tests.

Let's be very clear; the primary source of material for the course is contained in the lectures. The textbook also contains material that will allow you to catch up and/or review some but not all of this material. Old notes from previous semesters are known to be sketchy and prone to errors and are not recommended. Nothing can substitute for lecture attendance.

Lab attendance and class participation requirements are determined by each TA.

Exam attendance is mandatory: If you are ill and cannot attend an exam you must present some written dated proof of your excuse and notify Sally Peterson as early as possible PRIOR to the scheduled time of an exam. Exam rooms are different than the lecture hall; exam rooms will be posted in lab and are available from the department secretary if you forget (262-1204).

Assignments: Tutorials are in the second textbook mentioned below and are designed to be self-guiding tours through the various applications your lab assignments are based on. You will get much more out of your limited lab time if you READ THE TUTORIAL PRIOR to sitting down at the computer. The assignments will be given to you in lab class. Assignments must be done using the versions of the software programs we own. Assignments are due by the end of lab on the due date. They must be turned in electronically and on paper. Since this frequently causes congestion at the printers, it is wise to print out each section of the assignment as you complete it.

Note that assignment due dates may be spread over a three day period because there are classes which meet MW and TR only. In the course of the semester each person will have approximately the same number of hours on the computer.

If you have access to a Macintosh computer and any or all of this software (versions compatible with those that we use) you are welcome to work outside of the lab. You may also work in 1366 at a different time than your regularly scheduled lab, if there is space (students registered for that particular lab time always have priority).

You must hand in the assignment to YOUR TA and you must be able to show that you are competent with the program. If you don't regularly attend lab, be sure to bring your disk when you turn in your assignment since you may be asked by your TA to demonstrate the skills learned in the assignment.

There are laser printers in the lab for you to use for printing your CS132 assignments. You are NOT to use them for printing personal documents or papers for other courses; this is considered misuse of University property. There are laser printers you can use in the other Instructional Labs for that purpose.

Extra Sunday Labs: 1366 will be open and staffed by 132 TAs on Sunday afternoons (starting September 10) between the hours of 1 - 4 pm. There will be a sign-up sheet posted (at 4 pm Friday) on the door of the lab for you to reserve a machine for a particular time.

Grading: 50% of your grade is the average of your lab assignments and 50% is the average of your exams (15% for each exam). No extra credit is available. Incompletes are granted rarely, if ever.

Letter grades are assigned on the basis of the following distribution. We do not "curve" (it would be to your disadvantage if we did so because of the high grades most people make on labs). Usually grades are higher for the lab assignments and lower on the exams. This is to be expected since the lab assignments are very "cookbookish". If you follow the directions, you get the assignment done correctly. We work to ensure consistency of grades between sections.

        92 - 100    A
        89 - 91     AB
        82 - 88     B
        79 - 81     BC
        70 - 78     C
        60 - 79     D
        below 60    F

Lab Assignments: Laboratory assignments are worth 100 points, 20 points of which are for a quiz. The quiz on each topic will be given in the lab period following the due date. Partial credit will be given for partially completed assignments so always turn something in. Save your graded quiz and exam papers and the files on your disks until you have checked the posted scores to be sure that your points are recorded correctly.

Late penalty: The last assignment may not be turned in late (score = 0). Other assignments may be turned in up to ONE lab period following their due date, with 10% penalty. No assignment will be accepted after that time (score = 0). Remember that by delaying completion of one assignment you get further behind in all the rest. The key to success in this course is keeping up or AHEAD. Each student may have two "free" late penalties per semester. These late days are to be used if you must be out of town or if you are ill and may only be used one per assignment. Any lab assignments that are two or more lab periods late are worth zero points. This is a generous policy; there will be no exceptions.

Academic Honesty and Integrity: All assignments must be YOUR OWN WORK. Although you are encouraged to communicate with each other on design and planning and on the use of the software, you may not have someone else do part or all of the work for you.

We at the University of Wisconsin-Madison "believe that academic honesty and integrity are fundamental to the mission of higher education and of the university. The university has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, making appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others' academic endeavors. Students who violate these standards must be confronted and must accept the consequences of their actions." (UWS 14.01)

If you are uncertain whether something is acceptable, ask your TA or Sally Peterson, the instructor. It is your responsibility to understand class rules and not leave your assignments on the hard disk or server. If you do get caught cheating you may be withdrawn from or fail the class. We will prosecute cheaters to the maximum allowed under the UW Student Disciplinary code.

Textbooks: Copies of both texts are on reserve at Wendt Library.

Exams: There will be two (2) exams. Each is worth 25% of your total grade. We take exams by Lab Section in small rooms that may change. It is your responsibility to find these rooms (A list will be posted in our lab, outside my office, with the dept. secretaries, and in lecture shortly before each exam)

They are scheduled for:

Check your calendars now; if you anticipate a conflict, you may have to withdraw from this course.

There are no make-up exams. It is not possible to change the time / date of a final (by L & S policy & Faculty Senate rule) even if you have more than three exams in a 24-hour period. The final time is set in the timetable.

The exams cover lecture and textbook material; all exams (including the final) will be non-cumulative.

You may be asked to show your UW picture ID at the exams; be sure to have it with you.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES (tentative)
Subject MW MWF TR
INTRO WORD 9/11 9/13 9/12
EMAIL, OS, NETSCAPE 9/18 9/20 9/19
SUPERPAINT 10/2 10/4 10/3
EXCEL 10/16 10/18 10/17
FILEMAKER 10/30 11/1 10/31
ADV WORD 11/13 11/15 11/14
HYPERCARD 11/27 11/29 11/28
PAGEMAKER 12/11 12/13 12/12

Evaluations: Early in the semester and again at the end of the term, you will have an opportunity to fill out an evaluation form in both lab and lecture. The information you give us helps us with the design and administration of the course. You are welcome to give us additional comments (via email, if you like) at any time. Thank you for your feedback.

Help: If you are having problems with the course work please let the TA or me know as EARLY in the semester as possible. Applications get more involved as the semester progresses! Resources:

Resources:

Lecture Outlines: are for sale at a nominal charge at DoIT Software Sales desk. Copies are on reserve at Wendt Library as well.

Advanced Credit: Since CS132 is a required course for most students, inquiries for advanced credit or substitution of a higher level CS course should be directed to your specific department.

DoIT InfoLabs: These are Instructional "open" labs which are located throughout the campus. Many have Macintosh computers which have some (but not all) of "our" software. These labs are not staffed by "our" TAs and will not have "our" data documents (which you need for the assignments). The data documents may be copied onto your floppy disk in CS1366 and taken to the open lab to be worked on. It is illegal to copy the application programs. Be sure you know the difference!

MIC: Microcomputer Information Center located off the lobby of MACC/DoIT contains samples of microcomputer hardware (IBM, Macintosh, Zenith etc), software (some of which you are free to copy), a large selection of magazines, and knowledgeable staff. There is a monthly newsletter published by DoIT on computing, including information on the Macintosh. A subscription is free for the signing or pick up a copy at the DoIT documentation desk.

MadMac: Madison Macintosh Users Group meets monthly (3rd Wednesday evening) at Edgewood College (out Monroe Street about 2 miles). They have a special beginners' group which you may find helpful if you have recently acquired a Macintosh. In addition, they have a large software library and an electronic Bulletin Board Service.

AN APPEAL FOR COURTESY!

Talking to friends during lecture is very annoying to other students as well as distracting to the lecturer. Lecture will be completed on time (or early). Please wait until the lecture has finished before conversing with your friends.

Syllabus:

Date

Topic Text Readings
Sept. 3 Course Introduction and Administration  Syllabus
Sept. 5 Word Processing and Desktop Publishing pp 339-355, 399-402
Sept. 10 Communications I Chapter 6
Sept. 12 Communications II Chapter 6 (cont.)
Sept. 17 Email & Bulletin Boards Chapter 6 (cont.)
Sept. 19 Internet Chapter 7 (cont.)
Sept. 24 Graphics pp 390-399
Sept. 26 Multimedia & Virtual Reality pp 162-164
Oct. 1 Computer Hardware Chapter 3
Oct. 3 Storage Devices Chapter 4
Oct. 8 Input Chapter 5
Oct. 10 Output Chapter 5
Oct. 15 "The Paperback Computer" Videotape
Oct. 17 Spreadsheets pp 356-367
Oct. 22 Mid Term Exam  
Oct. 24 "The World at Your Fingertips" Videotape
Oct. 29 Database - Concepts pp 362-370
Oct. 31 Database and Privacy - Social Issues pp 516-521
Nov. 5 Operating Systems I Chapter 7
Nov. 7 Operating System II Chapter 7 (cont.)
Nov. 12 Social Issues & Computer Ethics pp 510-516
Nov. 14 Computer Crime pp 527-541
Nov. 19 Computer Programming I Chapter 9
Nov. 21 Computer Programming II Chapter 9 (cont.)
Nov. 26 "Inventing the Future" Videotape
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Vacation  
Dec. 3 Artificial Intelligence pp 476-487,492-502
Dec. 5 Robotics pp 484-485
Dec. 10 "The Thinking Machine" Videotape
Dec. 12 Expert Systems pp 487-492
Dec. 18 Final Exam - time: 5:05 pm  

Last modified: September 7, 1996 by Jon Bodner