CIS 114 – MATH AND PROBLEM
SOLVING
FALL QUARTER 2009
Voice
Mail: 425-640-1799 Office: ALD 240 Office Hours: Mon/Tue
8:30-9:30 Wed/Thur
8:30-9:35
Instructor: Judy Forth
Blackboard email: jforth@edcc.edu
CIS Dept. Website: http://cis.edcc.edu
Scheduled
Class Meetings: 1:40
– 2:40 p.m. MTWTh
Credits:
5 Section: A Room: MLT 215
Important Information: If you require an accommodation for a
disability, please contact Services for Students
with Disabilities, MLT 159, 425-640-1320, ssdmail@edcc.edu.
Classroom
Courtesy: Please remove all Bluetooth devices--turn off
all cell phones and pagers before entering the classroom. Place them off the desk, out of sight.
NOTE: Calculator-equipped cell phones are not
allowed in classroom use.
Headphones and laser lights are not
allowed in classroom use.
Course Description: Builds problem-solving skills needed by
computer students. Skills covered: logical reasoning, problem analysis, and
computation. This course prepares
students for the first course in programming.
Prerequisite: Placement into Math 80
(As noted in the Fall Quarter 2009 Class Schedule.)
College-Wide Abilities Covered in this
Class:
·
Critical
Thinking: Analyze and synthesize information. Demonstrate standards of good thinking. Identify arguments and form conclusions based
on sound reasoning.
·
Quantitative
Skills: Solve problems. Support quantitative claims. Use mathematical notation, graphs, charts,
tables, and symbols.
TWO REQUIRED
TEXTS: *Marc
Reeder, Problem Solving for
Information Technology, (current edition only)
*Students Solutions Manual (available
in the textbook section of the College Bookstore)
REQUIRED SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT:
·
Packet
of SCANTRON Cards (purchase from
·
Scientific
Calculator that performs square roots and number
system conversions (needed
for Chapter 3) Suggestion: TI-36X Solar (available in the College
Bookstore)
·
Engineering
Computation Pad for graphing (8 ˝ x 11 with 5x5 grid and 3 hole punched). A pad may be shared with other students (required for Chapter 6)
·
Flowchart
Template for drawing flowcharts (required
for Chapter 9)
COURSE BACKGROUND
CIS 114 was designed to satisfy the College’s basic
education requirement for mathematics while focusing on the quantitative skills
that are most appropriate for students planning to enter the field of
information technology. A
problem-solving methodology is presented at the beginning and throughout the
course a variety of problem-solving tools (both mathematical and otherwise) are
introduced.
Math topics have been selected that are appropriate for
community college students who plan to become information technology
professionals. These include exponents,
number systems, unit analysis, beginning algebra, and graphics.
The course also has a pre-programming component that
introduces programming concepts, computer logic, and structured program
design. These topics will prove useful
in later courses.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Course
Objectives:
The world is full of interesting problems. By the time of graduation, CIS students are
expected to have a knack for approaching the solution to problems (both big and
small) in a systematic manner and without trepidation. This course will help you develop general
problem-solving skills useful in all subsequent CIS and CMPSC courses. Additionally, this course will give you the
necessary tools that are a beneficial adjunct to the solution of problems
encountered in the computer field.
By taking CIS 114, students prepare themselves for the first
programming course (CMPSC 115 Intro to Computer Programming). CIS 114 covers the mathematical and
pre-programming topics needed for CMPSC 115.
HOMEWORK
Daily Assignments: Practice is
an essential part of mastering the material and approaches covered in
class. Regular homework based upon the
material covered each week will be assigned.
20% of the course grade is based on completed homework
assignments--partial submissions are not graded.
Late Assignments: All assignments are due on the date noted on
the attached assignment schedule. To provide a cushion, only one assignment can be submitted late, it will
be subject to a 10% point deduction, and it must be handed in at the beginning
of the next class meeting following the due date.
Team Discovery Assignments: At times throughout the course students will
be given introductory problems to work on in small teams. These in-class assignments will not be
graded. They are designed to introduce a
new topic by challenging students to discover important concepts and
relationships on their own. Later the
material will be expanded and generalized in lecture and then reinforced with
homework assignments and quizzes.
Material Covered: There will not be time to cover all sections
of every chapter in the text. Students will be responsible only for the
material assigned and/or covered in class—this will apply whether or not you
are there. So if you have to be absent,
be sure to have a colleague take notes.
QUIZZES and TESTS
Timing of Chapter Quizzes/Tests:
Please refer to the attached schedule for the quiz and test dates. The lowest quiz grade will be omitted from the grade calculation. Students earning less than 75% on a test are
encouraged to meet with the instructor and/or seek help in the Learning Center
(MUK 113).
Missed Quizzes and Tests: Missed quizzes
cannot be made up. However, if you
are absent or know you will miss a scheduled test and you wish to make up that test at a later time, you must
make arrangements for this in advance.
You will not be permitted to make up more that one missed test. Contact
the instructor either in person, by telephone, or by email in order to arrange
an acceptable time. All tests must be taken on the first day you return to class.
COURSE EVALUATION (GRADING)
The
course grade will be based upon the following assigned (approximate) points.
CourseComponent |
Quantity |
ApproximatePoints Each |
ApproximateTotal Points |
|
|
Homework (20%) |
9 |
varies |
921 |
|
|
Quizzes (30%) |
9 |
10 |
90 |
|
|
Tests (50%) |
4 |
Average
60 |
240 |
|
|
Approx. Total |
|
|
= 1251 |
|
(The instructor reserves
the right to alter the number of points identified in the above table.)
GRADING INFORMATION:
|
Percentage Grade |
Letter Table |
Decimal Table |
Percentage Grade |
Letter Table |
Decimal Table |
Percentage Grade |
Letter Table |
Decimal Table |
|
0 |
E |
0 |
73 |
C- |
1.8 |
87 |
B+ |
3.2 |
|
60 |
E |
0 |
74 |
C |
1.9 |
88 |
B+ |
3.3 |
|
61 |
E |
0 |
75 |
C |
2.0 |
89 |
B+ |
3.4 |
|
62 |
D- |
0.8 |
76 |
C |
2.1 |
90 |
A- |
3.5 |
|
63 |
D |
1.0 |
77 |
C+ |
2.2 |
91 |
A- |
3.6 |
|
64 |
D |
1.1 |
78 |
C+ |
2.3 |
92 |
A- |
3.7 |
|
65 |
D+ |
1.2 |
79 |
C+ |
2.4 |
93 |
A- |
3.8 |
|
66 |
D+ |
1.3 |
80 |
B- |
2.5 |
94 |
A |
3.9 |
|
67 |
D+ |
1.4 |
81 |
B- |
2.6 |
95 |
A |
4.0 |
|
68 |
D+ |
1.4 |
82 |
B- |
2.7 |
96 |
A |
4.0 |
|
69 |
D+ |
1.4 |
83 |
B- |
2.8 |
97 |
A |
4.0 |
|
70 |
C- |
1.5 |
84 |
B |
2.9 |
98 |
A |
4.0 |
|
71 |
C- |
1.6 |
85 |
B |
3.0 |
99 |
A |
4.0 |
|
72 |
C- |
1.7 |
86 |
B |
3.1 |
100 |
A |
4.0 |
A Special
Note about Grading: You are graded on
the quality of your work (from an employer’s point of view), not on your
effort. The following describes my
expectations for each grade, and how you will be evaluated:
4.0 = Exemplary
work. Consistently
produced perfect or near-perfect quality on all assignments, quizzes and tests,
and an active participant in the class.
I would be proud to show off this work to other instructors or employers
or write a recommendation letter for students receiving a 4.0 grade in this
course.
3.5 – 3.9 = Excellent
Work. Most deliverables were perfect
or near perfect, but perhaps could have been more accurate to be
exemplary. May have missed some points
due to late submissions, low quiz or test scores, or missed class discussions.
3.0 – 3.4 = Above
Average Work. Most submissions were
very good, but the quality was not consistent, or needed more work to be
excellent. Met all of the objectives of the class, and demonstrated a solid
understanding of the material. May have
missed some points due to late submissions, low quiz or test scores, or missed
class discussions.
2.0 – 2.9 = Average
Work. Met all of
the objectives of the class, but no more. Demonstrated understanding of
most of the material, but may have missed some important concepts. Missed points due to lack
of study/comprehension, late or missing assignments, low quiz or test scores,
or missed classes.
Below 2.0 = Below
Average Work. Did
not meet expectations or objectives of the class. Did not demonstrate understanding of the
material or missed a significant amount of points due to lack of studying, late
submissions, missing or low quiz scores, attendance, etc.
Grading: A “V” grade is not an option for this class. Please check the Class Schedule for withdrawal dates. The “I” (Incomplete grade) is given only under special circumstances. The student must be earning a 2.0 or better before an Incomplete grade will be considered.
SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY
Cheating will not be tolerated. If you copy and turn in someone else's
Homework assignment, you and the student with the identical paper will receive
an automatic “0” for that assignment. A
letter of the offense will be sent to the Dean and a copy will be placed in
your student file.
If you are caught cheating on a quiz or test, you will
receive an automatic “0” for that quiz/test. (If the lowest quiz score results
from a violation of the Scholastic Integrity paragraph, this score will not be
dropped when the average is calculated.
The next lowest quiz score will be dropped.) A letter of the offense will be sent to the
Dean and a copy will be placed in your student file.
If
second incident of cheating occurs on either an assignment, a quiz, or a test,
you will auto-matically fail the course.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Responsibilities |
Instructor Responsibilities |
|
Approach the course with a fresh,
open mind |
Do my best to challenge you to learn
more than you think you can |
|
Be willing to struggle
with the complexities of problem solving. Plan to study 2-3 hours outside of class
for every hour in class. |
Lead the class through the topics
using lectures and group discussions |
|
Be determined not to give up too
quickly on a problem |
Explain concepts in a manner leading
to understanding |
|
Study the assigned readings prior to the class discussion |
Adjust the class pace to the needs of
the class majority |
|
Attend all class meetings and
participate |
Give homework assignments that add to
topic understanding |
|
Be responsible for all homework |
Promptly return graded materials |
|
Turn in assignments on the due date |
Listen to and act upon student
feedback |
|
Form study groups and help others |
Be available during office hours |
|
Make sure your homework is neat and
legible |
Remember: Tutoring is available in MUK 113 |