ECS 15 Introduction to Computers
Fall 2009, Prof. Franklin

1st TA (50%): Anhad Singh (anhsingh@ucdavis.edu)
2nd TA (25%): Vishal Ahuja (vahuja@ucdavis.edu)
Reader (25%): Yelena Frid (yafrid@ucdavis.edu)

Lectures MWF 10:00am-10:50am (Wellman 106) 

Lab Sec 15-A01 M 12:10p-3:00p (Meyer 1131)
Lab Sec 15-A02 M  3:10p-6:00p (Meyer 1131)
Lab Sec 15-A03 W 12:10p-3:00p (Hutchinson 93)
Lab Sec 15-A04 F 12:10p-3:00p (Meyer 1131)

Office Hours (Prof. Franklin): Wed 1pm-3pm (3021 Kemper) 
Office Hours (TA's): during Labs

Final Exam: 

The objectives of this course are to study how modern computers
operate, and to write simple programs using Python (a versatile
programming language that is well suited for beginners).  Students
will also learn how to plan and write a research term paper on a
computer science topic of their choice.  The textbooks for this course
are Schaum's Outline of Principles of Computer Science (Reynolds and
Tymann), and Python Programming for the absolute beginner (Dawson, 
2nd edition).  The midterm will be on Mon 2 November.

1. Introduction (1 lecture)

* Introduction to Computer Science (Schaum's Ch 1, pp 1-13)

2. Computers (3-4 weeks)

* Algorithms (Schaum's Ch 2: 14-17, 22-24)
* Computer Organization (Schaum's Ch 3: 31-42)
* Software (Schaum's Ch 4: 44-49)
* Operating Systems (Schaum's Ch 6: 95-98, 101-102, 116-118)

3. Python Programming (3-4 weeks)

* Getting started (Dawson Ch 1, pp 1-15)
* Basic concepts (Dawson Ch 2, pp 18-50)
* Loops (Dawson Ch 3-4, pp 52-69, 72-76, 79-81, 90-101)

4. The Internet (2-3 weeks)

* Networking (Schaum's Ch 7, 127-138)
* Social Issues (Schaum's Ch 9, 169-179)

Grading: Term paper (20%), Labs (35%), Midterm (20%), Final (25%).