IT 103: Introduction to Computing
Course Syllabus
Semester: Spring 2007

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DESCRIPTION:
An introduction, using both lecture and laboratory practice, to the nature and uses of computers. Widely used applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software are studied. Laboratory projects are required in these areas. Additional lectures address computer systems organization, computer communications and networking, legal and ethical considerations (including privacy, intellectual property, and appropriate uses of technology), the effective presentation of information, computer security, artificial intelligence and the future of computing and the Internet.

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE:
This course is part of the University General Education Program. The General Education mission statement is in the University Catalog (p. 9) and on the web at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/provost/gened/

IT 103 is designed to help students understand cutting-edge technology trends, effective use of technology, and the impact of computer-oriented society in their lives.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION:
Students who think they already know the material in IT 103 should read the information on Credit By Examination posted on http://ait.gmu.edu/it103/it103-testout.htm web site and register on http://www.irc.gmu.edu/wems/events/view.cfm?

TEXT BOOKS:
Lecture: Course Technology, IT 103 George Mason University, Custom book. ISBN: 14188879711.
Lab: Kendall/Hunt, Fundamentals of Computing, Custom book. ISBN: 075752270X.

Do not buy used lab book. It may not contain CompAssess access code that is required for lab exams.

GRADING POLICY:
Final grades will be determined based on the following components:

In-class Exercises	10%
Lecture Midterm Exam	20%
Lecture Final Exam	20%
Project part I (Research Paper)	10%
Project part II (Web site)	10%
Lab Exercises	20%
Lab Exams (both Midterm and Final)	10%
Total Points	100%

The numerical score is then converted to a letter grade using the following scale:

A+: 97 – 100
A: 93 – 96
A-: 90 – 92
B+: 86 – 89
B: 83 – 85
B-: 80 – 82
C+: 75 – 79
C: 70 – 74
D: 60 – 69
F: 0 – 59

Students are asked to review the policy and procedures covering academic dishonesty in the current GMU Honor Code.

Students who anticipate absences are discouraged from taking the class. Contact your instructor in advance if you have a serious problem that prevents you from meeting course requirements.

LAB ASSIGNMENTS:
Lab schedule, assignments and their due dates are contained in the Lab WebCT folder. Attendance in the CompAssess in-class exercises and XHTML labs is mandatory.

CLASS PROJECT:
See the project page in the lecture WebCT folder for details.

LECTURE IN-CLASS EXERCISES:
There will be five in-class exercises with the lowest grade being eliminated. Thus, only four in-class exercises count in the overall grade for the course. No makeups for any missed in-class exercises for any reason.

EXAMS (MIDTERM AND FINAL):
Both lecture and lab have “closed book” midterm and final exams. The lecture midterm exam is from lecture 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. The final exam will cover concepts primarily from lecture 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. No makeups for missed exams for any reason.

DISABILITIES:
Students needing special accommodations should register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC - 703.993.2474) and notify the instructor immediately. The instructor will work with you to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have fair opportunity to perform in this class.

GMU Honor Code
GMU Responsible Use of Computing Policy

SCHEDULE:

Class	Lecture/Topic	Reading Assignment
1	Lecture 1: Introduction to Computers	Chapter 1
2	Lecture 2:  Computer Hardware	Chapter 2
3	Lecture 3:  Computer Software	Chapter 3
4	Lecture 4: Communications and Networks	Chapter 4
5	Lecture 5: Program Development and Programming Languages	Chapter 7
6	Midterm Exam - Review	Review Sheet posted on WebCT
7	Midterm (No makeups for any reason!)
8	Lecture 6: XHTML and Project Discussion	Chapter 5
9	Lecture 7: XHTML and Project Discussion - Continue	Chapter 6
10	Lecture 8: Database Management	Chapter 8
11	Lecture 9: Computer Security, Ethics, and Privacy	Chapter 9
12	Lecture 10: The Computer Industry: History, Products, and Careers	Chapter 10
13	Lecture 11: Information, Decision Support, Artificial Intelligence, and Special Purpose Systems	Chapter 11
14	Final Exam - Review	Review Sheet posted on WebCT
15	Final Exam (No makeups for any reason!)

Holidays:

Spring break: March 11 - March 18