Introduction to Information Technology CSC 1510 - Fall 2013 Main | Grading | Syllabus | Honesty | Archives

Professor Lisa Michaud - michaudl@merrimack.edu - x3404 - Mendel 252

DUE SOON and LINKS TO USE

Check out the Archives page for links to past labs and handouts.

OVERVIEW

What does "information technology" mean? In the age of Information, it has many meanings and literacy in this topic is becoming more and more important. This course delves into some of the mysteries of computers, from understanding how they work and talk to each other on networks to the thought processes behind basic computer programming.  This course also introduces the idea of Computer Science as a field that intersects nearly every other pursuit.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this semester, you should have a firm understanding of:

• The problem-solving process and how it relates to the design of computational solutions, including basic programming concepts.
• The basics of computing hardware and software.
• The basics of computer networks, including the internet and the web.
• The specialized software and hardware concepts that IT professionals may encounter, such as databases, compression algorithms, or parallel computing.

TEXTBOOK

The required textbook for this course is:

Computer Science Illuminated (5th Edition)
Nell Dale and John Lewis
ISBN-10: 1449672841
ISBN-13: 978-1449672843

For those students with financial difficulties, a copy of the textbook will be on reserve in the library. Please note that homework assignments will assume that you have read the textbook in addition to taking notes in class. You do not need to bring a copy to class.

EMAIL POLICY

Information and announcements will be frequently communicated via email. It is the student's responsibility to check for email at least once a day throughout the week. If you have a mobile device, please enable it to receive your Merrimack emails. Instructions on how to do so can be found through the MackApps FAQs.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are a non-native speaker of English, translation devices are encouraged during class and tests.  During these tests and exams, however, no mobile devices capable of accessing the Internet (particularly smartphones) are allowed, so you will need to use a translator that cannot access the Internet.

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact Elaine DiVincenzo, ADA Academic Coordinator, via email at Elaine.DiVincenzo@merrimack.edu or by telephone at 978-837-5140. The ADA Office is located on the 3rd floor of the McQuade Library in the Center for Academic Enrichment. The ADA Office is responsible for coordinating disability related accommodations and will issue Accommodation Letters & Plans to students with documented disabilities. In this course, it is better to be pro-active than to wait until difficulties have already interfered with assignments or exams. Please note that it takes time to arrange accommodations for exams.

WEBSITE

The website for this course can be accessed from Blackboard and is at this URL:

http://www.merrimack.edu/lmichaud/courses/CSC1510