Course Description
This course will utilize a balanced approach, focusing both on a
broad understanding of computers, as well as introductory
programming.
We will survey the basic principles underlying computer hardware
and software, data representation, the Internet and the Web, and
the implication of the wider use of computers within society.
Further, students will develop important problem-solving and
project-design skills by creating interactive stories, games and
animations with Scratch, and examine in greater detail Web
technologies such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
Prerequisites
None.
Course Instructor
Antonella Di Lillo (dilant [at] cs dot brandeis dot edu)
Office: 124 Volen Center for Complex Systems
Office hours: Monday and Thursday 3:30pm-4:30pm, or by appointment
Class Meetings
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 1:00pm-1:50pm
Location: Gerstenzang 121
Textbook
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A Balanced Introduction to Computer Science (3rd
Edition) by David Reed, Prentice Hall.
ISBN:0-13-216675-5.
Lecture notes will be posted on the class website.
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Grading
The final grades for the course will be determined using the
following weights:
- 35% Homework
- 10% Scratch Project
- 20% Midterm Exam
- 25% Final Exam
- 10% Quizzes
- 5% Participation(BONUS)
Five bonus points will be awarded for perfect or near perfect
attendance and participation during class discussions.
Homework
Weekly homework assignments, to demonstrate student
understanding of the concepts presented that week.
Late Policy
Each student begins the semester with 6 free "late days":
- A late day allows you to submit a program up to 24 hours
late without penalty. For example, you could use 2 late days
and submit a program due Monday 9pm on Wednesday by 9pm with no
penalty.
- Once a student has used up all the late days, each
successive day that an assignment is late will result in a loss
of 2 points on that assignment.
- Regardless of how many late days you have, you may not
submit a program more than 5 days after it is due.
Academic Honesty
As stated in the Rights and Responsibilities handbook, "Every
member of the University community is expected to maintain the
highest standards of academic honesty. A student shall not
receive credit for work that is not the product of the student's
own effort."