BENTLEY COLLEGE -- COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Course Syllabus

Office Hours: Morison 149A
Other Times: By Appointment

  2. COURSE DESCRIPTION :

This half semester (1.5 credit hour) General Education IT Component course explores the development of decorative and data representational graphics designed for use on the World Wide Web. A variety of tools for creating, composing and manipulating graphical designs and images are surveyed. Specific attention is given to such production problems as color matching, resolution and animation with specific emphasis on how they are associated with and impact the presentation, transmission and browser technology of the World Wide Web. A variety of shareware software packages that support the development of graphics designs are used. This course requires the student to make extensive use of the Bentley Information Resource, the CIS Web Server and the student's own computer.

  3. COURSE OBJECTIVES :

The primary objective of this course is to expose the student to the breadth and depth of graphics design techniques and how they can be used to augment the presentation of Web pages beyond text and static graphics and images. Upon successful completion of the course and the assignments, it is expected that the student will:

• understand the techniques for creating a graphics design;
• be able to use a variety of software tools to convert graphics to acceptable Web formats;
• become proficient in the application of colors and the use of transparency;
• develop their own animated files and post them to their Web pages; and
• gain experience in the use of streaming and 3-D text.

  4. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS :

    TEXT Reference:

1. Creating Paint Shop Pro Web Graphics, 2nd Edition, , Andy Shafran, Muska & Lipman Publishing, 1998

    OTHER References:

1. Designing with JavaScript, Creating Dynamic Web Pages , Nick Heinle, Songline Studios, Inc. and O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1997
2. Academic Network Resource Guide, Academic Computing Services, Bentley College, August, 1997 ( http://erebus.bentley.edu/bir/anrg)

  5. EVALUATION :     The final course grade will be determined approximately as follows:

Total points accumulated during the semester will be converted to the Bentley Grading Scale at the end of the term. Letter Grades are not used.

Each student is expected to keep track of his or her class standing throughout the course and to schedule a meeting with the professor outside of class to discuss any significant class standing issues. All returned quizzes and assignments should be retained by the student. Students are expected to complete all course work to the best of their ability within the half semester time frame; a course grade of I (Incomplete) will be given only under extenuating circumstances.

  6. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

Unless otherwise stated, homework assignments should be completed by the next class meeting after they have been assigned. A pro-rated percentage will be deducted for assignments that are turned in late; missing assignments will receive no credit in calculating that component of the Final Course Grade. All assignments and the term project are intended to be individual efforts.

  7. STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY :

The provisions of the Honor Code and other aspects of the Academic Honesty System apply to this course. In conducting the classes, every effort will be made to uphold the responsibility of the faculty to foster an environment of mutual trust and fairness. Students are responsible for acting ethically and not tolerating dishonesty on the part of others. Should any questions arise in this regard, or if clarification is needed at any time, please contact me.

  8. CLASS ATTENDANCE :

Class time can be the most productive time in any course. Except for illness, religious holidays, personal or professional emergencies, or other extenuating circumstances, students are expected to attend every class. Since each succeeding class builds on the material that will have been covered in the preceding classes, it is each student's individual responsibility to arrange for getting missed notes and classroom material following an absence. Whenever possible, the professor should be notified of an absence, either in advance or immediately upon your return.

Faculty members can recommend denial of course credit for excessive absences. Students with excessive, unexcused absences (three or more days, two or more evenings are considered to be excessive) should arrange a meeting with the instructor to avoid possible loss of points or course credit.

  9. CLASSROOM CONDUCT :

Throughout the course, it is expected that students will practice common classroom courtesy. This includes behavior that respects both your classmates and your professor. Conducting private conversations during class is not only impolite and unfair to others, but it also draws negative attention to yourself. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive and are to be discouraged; please inform me ahead of time if you need to leave class early.

10. THE CIS LEARNING CENTER :

      The CIS Learning Center is located in LaCava, in room 155. Its purpose is to provide one-on-one tutorial assistance to any student who feels in need of help for this class. The Assistants in the Center are there to work with you on problems or issues that you may encounter during the semester, but they will not solve the assignments that are given. Your first course of action should always be to attempt to solve the problem on your own; if, however, you find that you are unable to do so, then you should plan to visit the Center for the assistance necessary for you to develop an improved understanding of the requisite techniques to solve the assignment.

      If you find yourself falling behind in the assignments and/or work being covered in class, you should visit the Center and obtain the assistance you need so that you can keep current with your course work.

    NOTE: The CIS Learning Center is not available during the summer.

11. NOTE REGARDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE :

Please let me know as early in the term as possible and in whatever way is comfortable for you if there are circumstances (for example, a learning disability or physical problem, or English is not your first language) that might cause you to have difficulty in keeping up with the course material.

Should you find that you are having trouble with anything in the course, please contact me in my office, by phone or by e-mail, so that we can meet to discuss the issue(s) involved. Even if you are having no problems, a visit to my office to get better acquainted and your input are always welcome.

Since one of the more commonly used methods of communications on (and off) campus is by e-mail, feel free to use that medium to get in touch with me. When doing so, however, please include your Section Number and an appropriate description of the contents in the Subject Field; this will make it easier for me to organize my messages and to ensure a response to you in a timely fashion. When a response is required, it may not be immediate, but I will respond as soon as possible.

12. TENTATIVE GRADING SCALE :