Course description effective Winter 2009
Lecture: 3 hours
Laboratory: 3 hours
Prerequisite: None
Grading:Letter; homework and lab assignments (30%), writing assignments (25%), midterm (20%), final (25%)
Catalog Description:
Computer uses in modern society. Emphasis on uses in non-scientific disciplines. Includes word processing, spreadsheets, web-page creation, elementary programming, basic computer organization, the uses of computers and their influence on society. Not intended for computer science majors. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 30. Students who have completed Plant Science 21 may receive only 2 units of credit. GE credit: Science and Engineering, Writing.
Expanded Course Description:
Introduction and Course Overview Textbook:
M. Dawson, Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 2nd ed, Thomson Course Technology PTR, 2006
Computer Usage:
Classroom Computer Facilities managed by the Computer Center will be used
for all Laboratory Sessions in scheduled times.
Writing Assignment:
A minimum 5-page term paper on the use of computers in a field of interest to the student. This paper will go through several iterations, including submission of prospectus, progress report, final paper and revisions of the final paper.
ABET Category Content:
Engineering Science: 0 unit
Engineering Design: 0 unit
Goals:
To prepare majors outside of computer science to make effective use of computers in their respective majors by understanding their uses, potential and limitations.
Program Outcomes:
This course is for non-majors.
Instructor: X. Liu
Prepared by: X. Liu (December 2007)
Overlap Statement:
ECS 15 overlaps with PLS 21 in the introduction to microcomputers and basic office tools. ECS 15 covers a significant amount of material on the computer networks and basic programming skills, which are not included in PLS 21
1/08