CS 110 - Essentials of Computer Science

George Mason University, Department of Computer Science

Section DL3 : Monday/Wednesday 3-4:15pm (online)

Section DL4 : Tuesday/Thursday 3-4:15pm (online)

Instructor and Teaching Assistants

Instructor	Socrates Dimitriadis

GTAs	Ellie Akbari
	Fairuz Nawer Meem
	Thuan Tran
	Rui Yu

UTAs	Iqra Amjad
	Ishita Gupta
	Phat Tran
	Hoor Yasin Wani
	Patrick John Minh-tri Kelley
	Allison Tran

Course Description:

This course provides a baseline knowledge of technical and social issues at the heart of computer science. No prior knowledge of computing or programming is required. Students will develop a basic understanding of simple algorithms, information representation, and styles of problem solving which significantly affect computer science. They will gain practical experience working with a Unix-like operating system. Data security will be discussed to ensure safe communication. Students will gain exposure to basic software development tools such as version control and text editors. A variety of social and ethical issues will be discussed throughout the course including the impact of computing on society.

This course is required for all computer science students and serves as an opportunity for students to be introduced to GMU Computer Science Department policies. Freshmen and transfer students are expected to take the course in their first year in order to ensure that all CS students have exposure to certain essential tools and topics early on to enable their use in subsequent classes.

Prerequisite: None. (However, enrollment in the course is limited to students in the BS in Computer Science or BS in Applied Computer Science programs.)

Learning Outcomes:

Students will understand many of the key ethical, legal and social issues related to information technology and how to interpret and comply with ethical principles, laws, regulations, and institutional policies. This will be met through class discussions related to ethical theories and social implications of current computing trends such as Artificial Intelligence, Software Reliability and Social Media. Several class assignments will also address these topics.
Students will understand the essential issues related to information security, how to take precautions and use techniques and tools to defend against computer crimes. This outcome will be met by class lectures on encryption, student use of secure communication channels (i.e. Virtual Private Networks), and an assignment on the modification of software security settings.
Students will understand the requirements of the Computer Science Major at GMU and have an appreciation of Computer Science as a discipline. This will be met with lectures on the requirements for the CS major, as well as assignments that teach about the history of computer science and the people who influenced its progress.
Students will have a basic understanding of the Unix operating system and how computers convey, store, and manipulate information, including binary representation of numbers and ASCII encoding of characters. This will be met through class lectures and assignments that assess the students' understanding of Unix, binary numerical operations, ASCII representation of text, and logical operations.
Students will learn techniques for general problem solving and dividing complex problems into manageable component parts. This will be met through class lectures that discuss various factors that hinder one's ability to find solutions to problems, puzzle solving techniques, and exercises that teach students how to break down the steps necessary to create solutions.

Textbook and Readings

Computer Science Illuminated (7th or 8th Edition) by Nell Dale and John Lewis

The 8th Edition is available in the GMU Bookstore

This edition may contain a code for access to additional online materials that will not be used in the course. However, you might find these additional materials useful for study and review.
You can also buy/rent the textbook in hardcopy or electronic form on Amazon or other websites

The 7th Edition is also acceptable, although you should note that it is not quite as up to date as the 8th ed. You may be able to find this used through online booksellers for a much lower cost than the 8th Edition.

Introduction to Unix by Fiamingo, DeBula, Condron (available online for free)
Certain webpages and other materials may also be assigned throughout the class (either provided in class or available free online)

Computing Resources

Technology requirements necessary to successfully complete this class include:

A computer where you have the ability and permissions to install software.
Internet access sufficient to participate in video conferencing.
Access to the course's Blackboard module through this link
Access to the course's Piazza module through this link

Grading

Main Assignments^*: 30%
Software Failures Group Video Project: 10%
Discussion Board Assignments: 5%
Weekly Reading Quizzes: 10%
Class Participation: 20%
Two Midterm Exams 10% (5% each)
Final Exam 15%

^* The assignment to meet with a CS academic advisor regarding future course planning must be completed satisfactorily in order to receive a passing grade in this class.

Grading Scale

grade:	A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F
range:	[98,100]	[92,98)	[90,92)	[88,90)	[82,88)	[80,82)	[78,80)	[72,78)	[70,72)	[60,70)	[0,60)

Course Policies

Late Assignments

Assignments turned in after the due date will be penalized 10 percent per day (incl. weekend days and holidays). Since late work can cause major penalties, start work early! If your assignment isn't the way you'd like it to be when the deadline is near, submit it anyway for partial credit. In fact, submit early and often! The submission system permits you to retrieve and resubmit your assignment until the due date, so you may resubmit if you improve your assignment prior to the deadline.

Class Communications

CS 110 will use Piazza and Blackboard (including email sent via Blackboard) for most class communications. You are responsible for any notifications or information posted on Blackboard either by your instructor, your GTA or the class UTA(s), and you will need to check the system regularly for such notices. Some information may be disseminated through class instead of BB, so you should always take note of in-class announcements. Individual communications with the professor/GTA/UTA may be done by email using your GMU email account. When you email, please be sure to include your name, the class and section numbers, and the relevant topic in the subject header. (E.g.: Subject: My Name / CS 110-003 / Homework 2)

Absences and Participation Credit:

You are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. In the event of an emergency or health concern, please contact your professor as soon as possible. We will do our best to consider any special circumstances, but only if they are communicated in a timely manner, preferably in advance. Note that documentation may be required to support your absence.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the GMU Honor Code. This policy is rigorously enforced. Unless otherwise specified, all class-related assignments are to be individual efforts. Certain portions of group assignments may require individual efforts as well. Be careful to follow instructions regarding acceptable group efforts. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Cheating on any assignment will be prosecuted and result in a notification of the Honor Committee. Sharing, collaboration, or looking at others' assignments is considered cheating. Review the university policies carefully. If you ever have a question about the Honor Code or instructor policies, ASK! We welcome the opportunity to help you understand our policies.

Note that the Computer Science Department also has its own mandatory CS Honor Code that provides more specific instructions regarding CS classes. Make sure you read and familiarize yourself with these rules.

University Policies

The following are Common Policies Affecting All Courses at George Mason University