Course Outline and Syllabus

Course: EECS1012 3.00 Introduction to Computing: A Net-centric Approach Term: Winter 2019 Section: M
Course Webpage: moodle.yorku.ca and www.eecs.yorku.ca/course/1012

This is an introductory programming course in computer science and engineering. It introduces skills and concepts such as computational thinking, procedural programming, variables/control-flow constructs, event-handling, and test-driven development within a net-centric context (using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). There are two hours of lectures and three hours of experiential labs weekly. Lectures introduce the concepts mainly using a problem-based approach; Students implement such concepts in labs. Labs are supervised, in that students will do the lab in a specific location at a specific time. Labs will be posted the week before they are due. Importantly, students should work on the lab exercises prior to their lab session. There will be teaching assistants in each lab to provide limited hints. Students are highly encouraged to discuss concepts of the lectures and exercises of the labs with their peers. This should be done mostly outside lecture and lab sessions--while complying with with policies on academic honesty and integrity.

Course Credit Exclusions: AP/ITEC3020 3.00, SC/CSE2041 3.00, LE/SC/CSE2041 4.00, LE/EECS2041 4.00.

Course Director: Amir H. Chinaei Office Hours: T 9:30-10:30, W 11:30-12:30, LAS3048 Email: ahchinaei@cse.yorku.ca

Learning Outcomes for the Course:

1. Use a set of computing skills such as reasoning about algorithms, tracing programs, test-driven development, and diagnosing faults.
2. Explain and apply fundamental constructs in event-driven programs, including variables and expressions, control structures (conditionals/loops), and API usage.
3. Write simple programs using a given software infrastructure, API, and tool chain.
4. Gain exposure to net-centric computing, client-server applications, and simple relational database use.
5. Become familiar with the notion of syntax, both for programs and web documents, and the principle of separation of concerns.

Course Textbook/Resources:

We will provide detailed lecture notes and links to multiple web resources.

Evaluation:

The final grade of the course will be based on the assessment items below, using the weights indicated. No "extra credit" assignments will be provided. In order to be fair and consistent with regards to the entire class, individual grades are not negotiable. Furthermore, marks for assignments and tests will not be "rounded" or "bell-curved".

Students re-taking this course are expected to redo all lab exercises from scratch. Reusing work from a previous offering of the course (even if it is your own work) or any other source is a violation of the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty.

Note that there are 8 labs; however, in calculating your grades, we omit the one in which your grade is the worst. The lab will be marked by a TA before the lab session ends. So, it is important that you go to your assigned lab (you cannot attend another lab session), show your lab work to the TA, and submit it in moodle--all during the lab hour. It's important you go to the lab on time. If you are later than 15 minutes, you will receive 0 in that lab. Also, note that part your grade in each lab is a mini quiz that is due on Thursdays at 1:00pm.

Missed labs or partial tests: If you miss any lab or test (not a subject matter quiz), you should upload in moodle a properly completed Special Consideration Form. Please note there is a deadline to upload such forms and the deadline depends on the date of the original assessment--normally within one week of that date. Check these in moodle. If the course coordinator approves your case, your grade in the missing assessment will be calculated based on your grade on the final exam.

Missed final exam: Students who miss the final exam must properly complete a Deferred Standing Agreementform and submit it together with your supporting documentation to the EECS Department Undergraduate Office (LAS 1012M) within one week of the originally scheduled exam.

Remark requests: If you believe that a test was graded incorrectly, you may request a reappraisal of the work. A reappraisal request must be properly uploaded in the moodle page before the deadline (which is up to one week of receiving the original grade). It is essential that you explain clearly why you think the work should be re-marked; otherwise, the grade will remain unchanged. Note that the test will be re-graded in its entirety and that re-grading can result in the grade being raised, confirmed, or lowered. Also note that remark requests will be processed within four weeks after the deadline.

Grading: The final grade for the course is obtained by combining the scores of the assessments and mapping this total to a letter grade according to the following mapping table. Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Department or Faculty grades distribution profiles.

Mapping

≥ 90	≥ 80	≥ 75	≥ 70	≥ 65	≥ 60	≥ 55	≥ 50	≥ 40	< 40
A+	A	B+	B	C+	C	D+	D	E	F

Email Policies:

• Only use your York email account. We may not see/reply your email if it's sent via other accounts (such as yahoo, hotmail, etc.)
• Include "EECS1012" and a brief indication of the topic in the subject line. In addition, include your formal name, Passport York username, and student number in the body of your email. This is necessary to access your course materials. Also include any additional information that is pertinent to the topic of your email.
• We highly encourage you to ask questions in lecture, during office hours, and use the moodle discussion forum, before emailing the course instructor. You should use moodle to upload any paperwork within the designated deadlines. Email should be used only for special circumstances that are not facilitated in moodle.
• To save yourself time, do not ask a question whose answer is in the Course Outline and Syllabus or in the forum. Search this document instead.
• For guides on writing professional emails, read this.
• Email messages not complying with these guidelines may not be answered.

Course Announcements, Slides, Lab Instructions and Submissions on Moodle:

Course announcements will be posted on moodle in the "Course Announcements" forum. By default, all enrolled students should receive an email notifying them of a new announcement. Regardless, it is the responsibility of each student to be aware of all course announcements that are made, so check the forum regularly.

Also, all lecture notes, link to other resources, lab instructions, deadlines, and important dates are on moodle. Students are required to submit their lab work on moodle within designated deadlines. In order to be fair and consistent with regards to the entire class, we do not make exceptions for individual students.

Discussion Forum Code of Conduct:

• Students are encouraged to participate in the online moodle forums to ask or comment on questions relating to course concepts.
• Check to see if your question has already been posted. You are expected to search the forums, but you do not have to read each post. If your question has not already been asked, create a new post.
• Use a clear, informative subject line ("Please Help!" is not informative). Try to be as specific as possible.
• Post comments appropriate to the particular discussion. Off-topic posts may be moved or deleted.
• Post only material relevant to the course. Other posts may be deleted.
• Be respectful. Posts containing personal insults, attacks, intimidation, or profanity will be deleted. Remember, TAs and instructors read forum posts too.
• Any post that appears to violate this code of conduct may be edited, moved, or deleted at the discretion of the moderators. If a post also gives indication of violating the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty or the York University Student Code of Conduct, further action will be taken.
• We might consider some bonus points based on your activities in the forum.

Peer Instructions:

The peer instructions activity is twofold: you enhance your learning by studying some topics of your choice with your peers and if you do it based on the guidelines we will provide you with, you improve both your learning and your grades in upcoming test/exam; you also might obtain some bonus points to boost your grade even further. The guidelines and details of how to engage in peer instructions will be posted on moodle after Test 1.

Recording Lectures:

Images and materials presented in lectures are subject to Canadian copyright law. Lectures are the intellectual property of the professor. Course materials are the intellectual property of the associated author(s). Neither lectures nor course materials should be distributed without explicit written permission from the professor or author.

Photographs and audio recordings are permitted, provided they are used only as a personal study aid. They may not be sold, passed on to others, or posted online. Lectures can only be recorded from your seat. Exceptions may be made for students who are registered with Counselling & Disability Services and presented relevant documentation from their counsellor to the professor.

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to do their own work and to act with integrity. Looking at someone else's work during a test, talking during a test, using aids not permitted (such as a phone, calculator, smart watch) during a test, plagiarism, not reporting cheating by someone else, and impersonation are all examples of academically dishonest behaviour.

We take matters related to academic dishonesty seriously and we take measures to detect irregularities during all assessments. For example, network traffic may be logged, video surveillance could be in place, and multiple versions may be used.

Students are expected to read and understand the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty. If you have any questions about the policy or would like to report a violation, please speak with your instructor.

Additional Information:

Academic Integrity: There is an academic integrity website with comprehensive information about academic honesty and how to find resources at York to help improve students' research and writing skills, and cope with University life. Students are expected to review the materials on the Academic Integrity website.

Access/Disability: York University is committed to principles of respect, inclusion and equality of all persons with disabilities across campus. The University provides services for students with disabilities (including physical, medical, learning and psychiatric disabilities) needing accommodation related to teaching and evaluation methods/materials. These services are made available to students in all Faculties and programs at York University.

Students in need of these services are asked to register with disability services as early as possible to ensure that appropriate academic accommodation can be provided with advance notice. You are encouraged to schedule a time early in the term to meet with each professor to discuss your accommodation needs. Please note that registering with disabilities services and discussing your needs with your professors is necessary to avoid any impediment to receiving the necessary academic accommodations to meet your needs.

Additional information is available at the following websites:

• Counselling & Disability Services
• York Accessibility Hub

Religious Observance Accommodation: York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members of the community, and providing reasonable accommodations for observances of special significance to adherents. Should any of the dates specified in this syllabus for an in-class test or examination pose such a conflict for you, contact the course coordinator within the first three weeks of class. Similarly, should an assignment to be completed in a lab, practicum placement, workshop, etc., scheduled later in the term pose such a conflict, contact the course coordinator immediately. Please note that to arrange an alternative date or time for an examination scheduled in the formal examination periods (December and April/May), students must complete an Examination Accommodation Form, which can be obtained from Student Client Services, Student Services Centre or online.

Student Conduct in Academic Situations: Students and instructors are expected to maintain a professional relationship characterized by courtesy and mutual respect. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the instructor to maintain an appropriate academic atmosphere in the classroom and other academic settings, and the responsibility of the student to cooperate in that endeavour. Further, the instructor is the best person to decide, in the first instance, whether such an atmosphere is present in the class. The policy and procedures governing disruptive and/or harassing behaviour by students in academic situations is available online.

Last Word:

This course is demanding in terms of time, and should not be added to an already heavy load. Slides and many other resources are available online; yet, not actively engaging in lectures, office hours, and exercises could severely impact your grade.