CSC 103 How Computers Work (Fall 09)

Catalog Description

An introduction to how computers work. The goal of the course is to provide students with a broad understanding of computer hardware, software, and operating systems. Topics include the history of computers; logic circuits; major hardware components and their design, including processors, memory, disks, and video monitors; programming languages and their role in developing applications; and operating system functions, including file system support and multitasking, multiprogramming, and timesharing. Weekly labs give hands-on experience. Enrollment limited to 30. Offered first half of the semester.

Syllabus Link

Details

• Dates: Starts Wed 9 Sep, ends Wed 21 Oct (CSC102 begins Mon 26 Oct)
• Times: MW 9:00-10:20AM
• Location: Seelye 212
• Instructor: Joseph O'Rourke
• Texbook (Required): None!
• Texbook (Recommended only): How Computers Work, 9th Edition; Que Press; ISBN: 0789736136
• O'Rourke Office Hours & Schedule (NB: office now FordHall 256)
• Grading:
  • Attendance & Participation: 10%
  • Homework Assignments: 45%
  • Quizzes: 25%
  • Either a short Paper or a Take-Home Exam: 20% (approx. two assignments)
  See also Grading Numerology.
• S/U Grading Option: I encourage you to consider the S/U grading option to relieve stress and just learn. The Registrar's web site says the deadline is October 9th. However, I am flying to Europe the afternoon of Oct 8th, so you have to move on this by Wed Oct 7th.
• Assignments Schedule: Quizzes and assignments posted by the weekend, always due the following Thursday.
  • Assignments: Linked from Syllabus; use name=103/pass=103 for web access-restricted pages
  • Quizzes: In Moodle for this class.
  • Assignment and Quiz Rules [Updated 27Sep09]
  • Late Policy [Posted 27Sep09]

Teaching Assistants

• Alexandra Cheng, acheng@smith.edu
• Lei Lei, llei@smith.edu

TAs Schedule