IT 130 Introductory Computing for the Web

Summary

Students learn about the Internet and the Web through the creation of interactive Web pages. Weekly assignments include developing pages using HTML and Javascript. Incrementally, programming concepts are learned and practiced to create interesting dynamic pages. General concepts of computing are explored throughout the term.

Course Goals

The primary goal of this course is to provide a general understanding of computing by focusing on the Web and its technologies. Specific goals include:

• Explain how Web sites are organized
• Develop useful Web pages
• Write simple programs
• Learn how to look up documentation to learn on your own
• Diagnose problems in computer code by tracing program states, predicting output and explaining any discrepancies between predicted output and actual behavior.
• Explain the role of programs and algorithms for solving scientific problems.
• Identify difficulties and limitations of using computer technology for solving problems.

Learning Domain Description

IT 130 (Introductory Computing for the Web) is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Scientific Inquiry domain. Courses in the Scientific Inquiry domain are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn the methods of modern science and its impact on the world around us. Courses are designed to help students develop a more complete perspective about science and the scientific process, including: an understanding of the major principles guiding modern scientific thought; a comprehension of the varying approaches and aspects of science; an appreciation of the connection among the sciences; the fundamental role of mathematics in practicing science; an awareness of the roles and limitations of theories and models in interpreting, understanding, and predicting natural phenomena; and a realization of how these theories and models change or are supplanted as our knowledge increases.

Learning Domain Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Understand the major principles guiding modern scientific thought.
• Demonstrate a mastery of the science content knowledge of their SID courses.
• Know that science, technology, and math serve as mechanisms for inquiry into the nature of the universe:
  o Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
  • Design and conduct a scientific investigation to test a scientific hypothesis.
  • Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data to support or refute a scientific hypothesis.
  • Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
  • Describe relationships between evidence and explanations using critical and logical thinking.
  • Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.
  • Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
  • Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.
• Understand and appreciate the interrelationships among science, technology, and math:
  • Use technology and mathematics to identify a problem or design and solution to a problem.
  • Give examples of how science and technology inform and influence each other.
• Understand and appreciate the role of science in society and in their lives:
  • Provide examples of how science and technology impact our lives, and how social needs and concerns impact our development of technology and scientific investigation.
  • Develop positive attitudes towards science, technology, and mathematics.
  • Establish an ongoing experiential/service-learning interest in science, technology, and mathematics.
• Understand the nature of science, technology, and mathematics:
  • Provide examples of the abuse of science, including the representation of unfalsifiable claims as science and other forms of pseudoscience,
  • Explain the strengths and limits of scientific inquiry,
  • Explain the difference between evidence and inference, and the provisional nature of scientific explanations by providing examples of how our understanding of the workings of the world has changed in the past,
  • Explain the difference between probability and certainty.
  • Describe what is meant by uncertainty in the context of science, technology, and mathematics.

How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met: Students complete assignments that require them to write code for interactive web pages. Specifically, they explain how web sites are organized, write simple programs that perform mathematical calculations, explain how code works, and identify difficulties and limitations of computer technology.

Writing Expectations: Writing is integral for communicating ideas and progress in science, mathematics and technology. The form of writing in these disciplines is different from most other fields and includes, for example, mathematical equations, computer code, figures and graphs, lab reports and journals. Courses in the SI domain must include a writing component where that component takes on the form appropriate for that course (eg, lab reports, technical reports, etc.)

Texts

Grading

Prerequisites

Tentative Schedule

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296