Syllabus for the course CIS 1001 (Fall 2014)

CIS 1001: Introduction to Academics in Computer Science

Course Web Site: http://cis-linux2.temple.edu/cis1001/
By Fall, 2014, most of what you need will be in the Documents section of Blackboard. If you
have issues with the website, contact the TA. If you have Blackboard issues, let me know.
Course Coordinator:
Frank Friedman, 366 SERC (Science Education and Research Center), friedman@temple.edu
Note: In August, the CIS Department is moving FROM Wachman Hall TO the 3rd floor of SERC.
Office Hours:
Tuesday 1030am-noon. Other office hours by appointment via email (as given above)
TA: Lakesh Kansakar, lakesh.kansakar@temple.edu
Class Meeting Time and Place: Wednesday, 10:00 10:50pm, Beury Hall 160
Textbook:
Hal Abelson, Ken Ledeen, and Harry Lewis, Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness
After the Digital Explosion,

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison-Wesley, 2008. ISBN 978-0-13-
713559-2 There is more than one way to be able to access this book. Some cost more than
others. Which one you use is up to you.
Course Description:
Students will be introduced to the field of computing, including potential career opportunities, the
Computer & Information Sciences department and its resources, the departmental faculty, as well
as the opportunities for internships and research. There will be guest lectures by Computer &
Information Sciences faculty, students and alumni, and experts from industry, aimed to illustrate
the interdisciplinary nature of Computer and Information Sciences.
Requirements:
Attendance is required. There will be weekly homework assignments and occasional surveys. The
homework will typically consist of two parts: essays related to topics presented in each lecture,
and topics taken from the required Blown-to-Bits text.. Each homework must be submitted
through the course web site by no later than 10am on the Monday following each Wednesday
lecture. The questions for each homework assignment will be posted within hours after each
lecture and you will be sent an email announcement.
Grading:
Attendance (50%), Reports (homework) on the most recent lecture (50%).
Attendance is required. Up to 2 absences are allowed without penalty. A signup sheet will be used
to record attendance. If your signature is missing in the signup sheet for a particular lecture, it
will be assumed that you did not attend the lecture. Make sure to sign your name! If you are late
to a lecture, you may lose 1/2 or all attendance credit for that lecture. If you miss a lecture, you
will be able to view a recording of it through Blackboard. (Lakesh - how?)

The best 12 homework assignments (The Reports) will be used to calculate the Reports half of
your grade. (In other words, the lowest two grades will be dropped). Each homework must be
submitted through the course web site by 10am the Monday following each Wednesday lecture.
Dont put it off!!! Once 10am has passed, no submissions will be accepted.)
NOTE: Each lecture and homework counts 10 points, so your grade will be based on a total of
240 points. To pass the course, you must have at least 180 points. (No D's given here)
Tentative Schedule:
A tentative schedule of speakers is posted in the Documents section of the CIS 1001 Blackboard
site. If and when changes are made, you will be notified by email.

Statement on the Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities:

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University
has a policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02)
which can be accessed through the following link:

http://policies. temple. edu/getdoc.asp ?policy no=03. 70. 02.

Other Course Rules of Conduct:

This is a large class and discipline is essential. I need YOUR help
You will make lots of new friends in here (I hope)
Please refrain from talking with them during class.
You have lots of nifty computing devices in your hands
Using them is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED
Consider turning them off (and remind me to turn mine off)
This is just a 50 minute class you can hack it!!
(concluded on next page -->)

We have outside speakers
They are important people (so are our faculty);
-- They are donating their time to come and provide their insights into what
computing research and practice are all about

Be respectful. DO NOT come late. DO NOT leave early.

If you cannot adhere to these simple rules, please do not take this course.

Bottom Line dont be rude to the speakers or your peers.