VANCOUVER

GILDART HAASE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCES & ENGINEERING

INFO-1201 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

FALL 2010

CLASS

Course number: INFO-1201

Time: Monday and Wednesday (1-2:20pm)
Room: 137

INSTRUCTOR

Name: Dr Vasudevan Janarthanan

Office: 119
Office Hours: Wednesday (2:30-4pm)
Office Phone: 604-648-4475
E-mail Address: v_janart@fdu.edu

TEXTBOOKS

• “Information Technology Inside and Outside”, David Cyganski and John A. Orr
Prentice Hall, 2001.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

This course provides the student with a conceptual understanding of information technology
and the development of functional skills needed to recognize and utilize this technology. The
student will learn the history and scientific principles behind Information Technology, and
study the implications of the evolving Information Age on the global society. Students will
explore career opportunities in IT, identify basic components of data communication systems
and computer networks, gain an understanding of computer interfaces, and discuss the role of
the World Wide Web in IT. (3.00 Credits)

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend all classes, both because of the pace and amount of material in
the course, and also because of the classroom interaction and activities which are vital to the
structure of the course. In the case of absence, you are responsible for the material covered in
the class and to turn in any required assignments on time.

COURSE WEEKLY SYLLABUS

Week Topics

1. Information Revolution and World Wide Web.

2. Fundamentals of Binary Representation.

3. Graphics and Visual Information.

4. Data Compression - I

5. Data Compression - II

6. MIDTERM EXAM

7. Bandwidth and Information Theory - I

8. Bandwidth and Information Theory - II

9. Transmission and Storage Technology - I

10. Transmission and Storage Technology - II

11. Networks and the Internet - I

12. Networks and the Internet - II

13. Networks and the Internet - III

14. FINAL EXAM

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COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:

Objective 1: Gain a broad overview of various concepts within Information

Technology.

Outcome 1.1: Establish an awareness of the terminology associated with

Information Technology for students without any previous engineering exposure to
this topic.

Objective 2: Learn the meaning of Information Technology, and discuss the

Fundamentals of Binary Representation, Communication, and Networking.

Outcome 2.1: Enhance students’ understanding of the meaning of Information

Technology.

Outcome 2.2: Provide students with the rudimentary understanding of the

principles behind data transmission and network design.

Objective 3: Discuss career opportunities for Information Technologists.

Outcome 3.1: Become aware of various areas in engineering and business where
Information Technology students can pursue their career interests.

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GRADE DETERMINATION

Type of
evaluation/assessment tools Number Percentage Total
Midterm Exam 1 20% 20%
Attendance and Participation 1 10% 10%
HW Assignments 5 6% each 30%
Final Exam 1 40% 40%

FINAL GRADES WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING

Score Grade
93% and above A
90-92.9% A-
87-89.9% B+ IMPORTANT DATES:
83-86.9% B
80-82.9% B- FALL TRIMESTER 2010
77-79.9% C+
Registration/Academic
73-76.9% C Advising (Monday-Friday) Aug. 23 - 27
New Student Orientation
70-72.9% C- (Thursday & Friday) Aug. 26 - 27
60-69.9% D (Monday)
Classes Begin, 8:00 AM Aug. 30
Below 60% F
Labor Day Holiday (Monday) (US & Canada) Sept. 6
Last Day for Registration Sept. 7
Last Day for Drop/Add Classes Sept. 13
Thanksgiving Day Holiday (Monday) (Canada) Oct. 11
Last Day for Withdrawal from Classes Nov. 1
Remembrance Day Holiday (Thursday) (Canada) Nov. 11
Last Day of Classes, Fall Trimester (Wednesday) Dec. 8
Reading Days/Make-up Days (Thursday & Friday) Dec. 9 - 10
Final Examinations (Monday-Friday) Dec. 13 - 17
Trimester Ends, 11:00 PM (Friday) Dec. 17

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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• No makeup on tests unless previous arrangements have been made.

• All homework is due at next class meeting unless otherwise specified.
• Reduced credit for late homework.
• All tests in class are closed book.
• Class attendance is required.
• For extenuating circumstances, notify instructor before or immediately after each
absence. Each student is required to hand in the entire homework assignment
separately, in his/her own print out. Use any written / Internet source materials you
can find to help with homework (as you would do in the workplace), but do not
plagiarize.
• Absolutely no collaboration is permitted during in-class quizzes and exams.
• Class participation / interaction is not only strongly encouraged but required.
• Sequence of topics may differ slightly from what is listed herein.

WITHDRAWALS

In the event you choose to withdraw from our course, the burden of following through
with the withdrawal process is your responsibility. However, failure to attend does not
guarantee being dropped. Please understand that if you do not officially withdraw before
the end of Nov. 1st, 2010, you will be assigned a grade based upon what you have earned.
This may be anything from A (unlikely) to F. Please refer to the College Catalogue for
more detail. If you believe you MUST withdraw for any reason. PLEASE consult with me
first! Perhaps we can find a way to help you complete our course successfully.

GENERAL CLASS POLICIES

1. Please turn all cell phones and pagers to vibrate mode. Turn off all iPods, other MP3
players, Walkman, Discman, etc.
2. Courtesy, kindness, and respect are great human qualities to be cultivated.
3. It is expected that all students will participate fully during class.
4. Prior reading of assigned material will be helpful.
5. Eating and drinking in class is discouraged.

SPECIFIC CLASS POLICIES

ATTENDANCE

Problems in coming to class should be discussed with the instructor, when possible, before
the class is missed. Missed classes without prior communication with the instructor will
result in loss of participation points. You may be dropped for excessive absences, and
absences may contravene the stipulations of visas for international students.

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LATENESS

Arriving late for class will lower your participation score.

TIME DEADLINES

Exams, assignments, and homework all have pre-scheduled due dates. On occasion, it
may be necessary to alter these dates because of our progress during the semester. You
will always be given advance notice of such changes.

INCOMPLETENESS IN THE COURSE

An "incomplete" grade will not be given unless the student has a legitimate personal crisis
that prevents finishing the course on time. Students receiving an incomplete must be doing
passing work up to that point. If such an occurrence happens, it is the student's
responsibility to contact the instructor immediately to explain the situation and make
plans.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES

Please notify the instructor in advance of religious observances that interfere with class
attendance.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

FDU has a tradition of providing access to education for students with disabilities.
Students with disabilities should inform the instructor especially if there are medical
problems or learning disabilities. Accommodations may be provided as recommended by
the Special Resource Center.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Any suspected violation of the University code of integrity will result in, at least, a failing
grade in this class. You may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the University.
Violations of academic integrity include cheating on exams, helping others to cheat on
exams, copying others’ work, and plagiarism. Consult the Office of Academic Affairs for
more information.