BENTLEY COLLEGE -- COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Course Syllabus

Office Hours: Smith Academic Technology Center - Room 322
Other Times: By Appointment

  2. COURSE DESCRIPTION :

      This half semester (1.5 credit hour) General Education IT Component course explores the World Wide Web as both an educational and a business resource. The emphasis is on the use of HTML and JavaScript to develop Web pages that include text, graphics, tables, internal and external linkages, frames, forms and, with JavaScript, alert boxes, remote windows, events and control structures. In addition, such concepts as Web page navigation, the architecture of the Web, the use of browsers, techniques for creating Web Pages that are dynamic and interactive, effective search strategies, multimedia and Web security are all addressed to familiarize the student with the Web as a business tool and resource. The 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, depth, versatility and usefulness of the Web as an information resource. Upon successful completion of the course and the assignments, it is expected that the student will:

• understand the terminology associated with the Internet and the World Wide Web;
• be proficient with a Web Browser (both Netscape and Internet Explorer);
• be able to develop interesting and effective Web pages using both HTML and JavaScript;
• have an understanding of the technological infrastructure of the World Wide Web; and
• have an appreciation of the emerging Internet technological trends.

  4. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS :

    TEXT Reference:

1. New Perspectives on Creating Web Pages with HTML, 2nd Edition - Comprehensive, Patrick Carey, Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2001

1. JavaScript: Introductory, 2nd Edition, Don Gosselin, Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2002
   (NOTE: This will be the required text for CS313; students who plan on taking CS313 in the second half of the semester might find it helpful to purchase this text for CS212 as well)

  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; assignment grades will be posted on the course Home Page on a regular basis during the term. 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. It should be noted that a grade of Incomplete, if given, must be cleared within 60 days of the end of the semester, or it is automatically converted to an F. Due to time constraints and other obligations of the professor, however, THERE CAN BE NO GUARANTEE THAT LATE WORK SUBMITTED AFTER THE END OF THE COURSE WILL HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND GRADED WITHIN THE 60 DAY LIMIT.

  6. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES:

      Quizzes that are given are meant to demonstrate to you (and to me) that you understand the material being assigned; material in the quizzes will be drawn from both the class lectures and the assigned reading. In all cases, announced quizzes will be given only during the class for which they are scheduled; there will be no make-up quizzes, and missed quizzes will receive no credit in calculating that component of the Final Course Grade. There will also be no make-up for unannounced quizzes.

      The homework assignments are listed and described in the Assignment Web Page that is accessible from the course Home Page; it is each student’s responsibility to become familiar with the information on this Web Page and to adhere to the requirements stated therein. Unless otherwise indicated, homework assignments must be completed by the next class meeting after they have been assigned; the due dates for all assignments are clearly indicated in the Assignment Web Page. A penalty of 20 points will be deducted for each assignment that is posted after the due date; missing assignments will receive no credit in calculating that component of the Final Course Grade. Any assignment posted later than one class session after the indicated due date will not be graded and will receive no credit. ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED AFTER THE LAST DUE DATE WILL ALSO NOT BE REVIEWED OR GRADED AND WILL RECEIVE NO CREDIT. All assignments 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. In addition, students will be responsible for any announcements that are made in class regarding such issues as changes to the Syllabus, Course Outline or Assignments, whether or not they attended the class in which the announcement was made. 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 COMPUTING AND NETWORKING LAB :

      The CIS Computing and Networking Lab is located in the Smith Academic Technology Center, Room 234. 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 Lab 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 Lab 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 Lab and obtain the assistance you need so that you can keep current with your course work.

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 :