Computer Science 2A
Introduction to Computers
M W Th 11:00-11:50PM
Professor Jordan Pollack
213 Volen, 736-2713,
TA information will be posted to LATTE
What is a computer? How does a computer work? What do you study when you study Computer Science as a Major? These are some of the questions we will seek to answer in Computer Science 2A. Additionally, we will look at the internet and the World Wide Web through the development of web pages in HTML and Javascript. Although this is not a programming course (See Computer Science 11a) we will learn about computer programs and algorithms and how to script in Matlab, a powerful scientific and engineering software tool the university recently purchased a site license to. We will delve into how computers have arisen through a series of invented layers from electronics to logic to machine code and to operating systems and the arbitrary applications that run on them.
Learning Goals of this course are for you to become more computer science literate, understanding the range of software and hardware which construct the modern world, to you to understand how to write web pages and basic algorithms. Finally, some of you may decide to go on to major or minor in computer science and this course should help prepare you for that direction.
Books:
A Balanced Introduction to Computer Science, 3rd Edition. David Reed, Prentice Hall
Grading:
50% There will be 5 homework Assignments to be submitted via Latte
20% There will be an in-class Midterm
25% There will be a cumulative final exam during Finals week.
5% Attendance and Quizzes.
Statement on Academic Honesty: Sharing your code or results, either giving or receiving, is a violation of academic honesty and may result in referral to the student conduct board.
If you are a student who needs academic accommodations because of a documented disability, please contact me and present your letter of accommodation as soon as possible.
Rough Schedule
Reed 1 / Jan 12-15 / Week 1 / Computer Concepts
3 / Jan21-22 / Week 2 / Web History
2 / Jan 26-29 / Week 3 / HTML
Feb 2-5 / Week 4 / More HTML
Feb 9-12 / Week 5 / Binary and Arithmetic
6 / Feb 23-26 / Week 6 / History of Computers
Mar 2-5 / Week 7 / Midterm
PDF / Mar 9-12 / Week 8 / Matlab
8 / Mar 16-19 / Week 9 / Matlab and Plotting
4 / Mar 23-26 / Week 10 / Javascript
5 / Mar 30-2 / Week 11 / Algorithms
10 / Apr 13-16 / Week 12 / Computer Science
14, 16 / Apr 20-23 / Week 13 / Lower Layers
Apr 27 / Final Review
More detailed scheduling will be uploaded to LATTE as available.
Technical Details
When it comes time to upload web pages, the university provides basic space. You would edit your files with a text editor like notepad or notepad+ and drag your files to your WWW directory after connected to the unethome network drive. Here are directions for PC and Mac.
Windows
1. Start-> Run, and typing \\unethome.brandeis.edu\username into the command line (where"username" is your UNet username).
2. A new window will appear asking for a username and password.
Username: USERS\username (where "username" is your UNet username)
Password: Your UNet password.
Mac
· From the Finder menu, select Go-> Connect to Server...
· In the window that appears enter: smb://unethome.brandeis.edu/username(where "username" is your UNet username)
· Press the Connect button
· You will be prompted to enter your UNet username and password
· Click OK when done. Your network storage folder will appear in a new window on your desktop.
· When you are finished, you MUST disconnect the drive to prevent others from accessing your files. Drag the icon on the destop with your UNet username into the trash can on the dock. As you drag it, the trash icon will change into an "eject" icon.
Publishing Web Pages
Personal home pages can be published on people.brandeis.edu. Simply place files in the WWW directory within your UNet space to have them published at http://people.brandeis.edu/~[your username] (no brackets). To replace the default file listing with a custom web page, name the page index.html
Matlab
In order to download and install matlab from the Mathworks.com site you need to use your @brandeis address and register for an account under a specific registration code given on this information page: https://sites.google.com/a/brandeis.edu/matlab/student-computers