CSCI 123: Introduction to web development

Spring 2014
Hamilton Basement
/ David Tucker
(814) 732-2550

149 Ross Hall / Office Hours
Monday: 1:30 → 3:30
Tuesday: 2:00 → 3:00
Wednesday: 1:30 → 2:30
Thursday: 2:00 → 3:00

I. Course Description
This course introduces the student to website development covering topics: Internet and its architecture, standards effecting websites, website design issues, and implementation of a website. Students will put to use the skills learned by creating a small website. This course is approved for General Education - Computer Competency

II. Course Objectives:
Successful completion of the course will be based upon the following objectives:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of how the Internet and web pages works.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of website design principles.
  3. Use software tools to create webpages, edit images and display simple animation.
  4. Implement a simple website that includes links and images employing design principles and adheres to webpage standards.
  5. Utilize word processing to create your design document
  6. Utilize campus computing facilities.

Additional Items to Note:

  • This course is designed to give you an overview of how to design a text based web site.
  • In addition you get an introduction to Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop and flash.
  • The intent of this course is to give you practical experience therefore we’ll be doing a lot of hands-on activities in the lab.

III. Course Outline

The course outline is located at

IV. Required Text & Materials

/ Basics of Web Design: HTML5 & CSS3, 2/E
Terry Felke-Morris
  1. You'll need the book for sure, which needs to be brought to all class meetings
  2. You'll need a flash drive
  3. Access to software such as notepad, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. All of these are on computer in certain computer labs. For now we know that the Ross Hall lab and Hamilton Basement labs will have this software installed.

V. Assessment and Evaluation:
There will be homework assignments throughout the course. Typically we’ll do 1 or 2 of the projects at the end of each chapter. You’ll have some time in class to start these but most likely need additional lab time to finish.

During the course we will be working on your own original web site so at the end of the semester you can show me a site that includes all the features you learned throughout the semester.

We made need to make some modification to the schedule depending on how fast the class learns the material. This may effect grading in relation to the number of homework and weights of each. Typically your exams will be mostly hands-on or even take home projects. We should have no problem covering all 12 chapters in the book, some MS Word, Adobe Photoshop and a little bit of Adobe Flash.

Examinations:There will be three (3) major exams.

  1. Exam 1: 2/20
  2. Exam 2: 4/1
  3. Final Exam: 5/8 @ 8:00 am

Derivation of Final Grades

Weights for Determining the Final Grade:
Homework & any Projects 55%
Exam 1 15%
Exam 2 15%
Final Exam 15%
The final score will be converted to a letter grade using the following scale:
90 < score < 100 A
87 < score < 89 B+
80 < score < 87 B
77 < score < 80 C+
70 < score < 77 C
60 < score < 70 D
0 < score < 60 F

-I grade on your results and that you can demonstrate to me how well you know the material.

-Incomplete grades will be assigned only if proper documentation is presented and the student has a passing grade in the course at the time of withdrawal (very rare).

- All assessment is based on results as it is unfair for the instructor to subjectively evaluate effort for each student in the class.

-If you miss more than 1/3 (5 weeks of class) that is an automatic Failing grade.

Academic Integrity
You are expected to do all of the assigned work on your own. Any student found to be cheating or plagiarizing with respect to any component of the course will be subject to immediate failure from the course. This is very important in this course because of the tendency to help/give a copy of homework to another student. This does more harm than good and will always reflect in your test score. If you're getting A's on your homework but failing the exams, clearly you are copying your homework, because I base the exams heavily on the understanding of the homework projects.

VI. American Disabilities Act Statement:
Any student who has a physical or learning disability which requires special accommodations should make an appointment to discuss this with the instructor.

VIII. Some Final Comments:
It is the instructor's intention to provide an environment that is relaxed and academically stimulating. You will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in the lectures and demonstrations.
Taking notes will be very important in this class. You will be given important information that is not in the book, for example, how to create a background image in Photoshop.

It is very clear that high performance in a class is linked with consistent attendance and reasonable effort. I do expect you to attend all classes and you are responsible for knowing about any announcements or assignments made during class. If missing a class is unavoidable, the student is expected to copy the lecture notes from one of her/his peers. Handouts distributed can be obtained from the instructor during office hours.
Please do not use office hour time to make-up excessive unexcused absences. This course is taught in a lecture/laboratory style. While the instructor is lecturing, it is EXPECTED that no one will be working on the computers. It's rude and disruptive to both other students and the instructor. Students are expected to use the lab time (when scheduled) wisely while the instructor is there assist. Additionally, you should set several hours aside each week for reading and homework. You can expect that this class will take many additional hours of out of class time.