CSCA02     Winter 2007 The Why and How of Computing Course Outline

• To teach the skills needed to use computers at a competent user's level.
• To teach the vocabulary (jargon) needed to effectively communicate with computer professionals.
• To provide the basic understanding of computer systems needed for future computer studies.

       Section Day Time        Tutor              Lab Room
       T0001   Mon  5-7pm      Andria Hunter      BV-471
       T0002   Mon  7-9pm      Andria Hunter      BV-471
       T0003   Tue 11am-1pm    Yilan Gu           BV-471
       T0004   Tue  3-5pm      Yilan Gu           BV-471
       T0005   Tue  5-7pm      Yilan Gu           BV-471
       T0006   Tue  7-9pm      Oktie Hassanzadeh  BV-471
       T0007   Wed  9-11am     Kersti Wain-Bantin BV-471
       T0008   Wed  1-3pm      Kersti Wain-Bantin BV-471
       T3001   Wed  3-5pm      Kersti Wain-Bantin BV-471
       T3002   Mon  3-5pm      Andria Hunter      BV-471
       T3003   Thu  3-5pm      Edward Xia         BV-471
       T3004   Thu  5-7pm      Edward Xia         BV-471
       T3005   Thu  7-9pm      Edward Xia         BV-471
       T3006   Fri 11am-1pm    Daniela Rosu       BV-471
       T3007   Fri  1-3pm      Daniela Rosu       BV-471
       T3008   Fri  9-11am     Daniela Rosu       BV-471

To pass this course

• You must obtain an overall mark of at least 50%, including at least 40% on the final exam and 40% on the term mark. The term mark includes assignments and the midterm.
• There will be no make-up midterm test. Should you miss the midterm test due to medical reasons and you provide documentation (UTSC Medical Certificate) describing your inability to write the test, the weight of the test will be added to your final exam.

• This is NOT a "Bird" course: If you are taking this course as a "GPA-BOOSTER", you are strongly advised to drop it now! Although this course does not assume any previous experience/knowledge of computers, some of the material covered will be highly technical.
• The aim of this course is not to teach various commercial software packages: If you are expecting a course on how to use StarOffice or Microsoft Office, please consult your nearest community college.
• This course is not intended for programmers or people who already know how to use computers. If you are a hardcore programmer or already have experience with computers, you might want to switch to CSCA08 or CSCA48.

• Lectures introduce new material and focus on the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the course.
• Tutorials discuss software packages and tools used to do the assignments.
• Instructors' office hours provide the opportunity to ask questions relating to the lectures or to discuss general problems with the course.
• TAs' office hours provide the opportunity to obtain one-on-one assistance with the software required for the assignments.

• Start them early. Around due dates, the demand for PCs and printers exceeds the number available at the computer labs; temporary computer system glitches are not a valid excuse for late assignments.
• If you do them on your PC at home: you may not be able to obtain assistance from your TA, should you run into any problems. Problems with your PC do not constitute a valid excuse for late assignments.
• It is your responsibility to keep a backup copy of each assignment that you submit. This will allow you to verify your submission in case there are any problems at a later time.

• Although you may discuss general approaches to assignments with your classmates, the work you submit must be 100% yours. This means that you should not take notes while discussing the assignments with your classmates.
• You should also guard your assignment at all times; i.e. pick up your printouts immediately after printing your assignment on a public printer and do not dispose of your rough work at school.
• Should you have any questions about plagiarism, please read the students' code of conduct in the calendar and/or talk to your instructor.

• Carefully read and follow the submission instructions specific to each assignment (see assignment description) to ensure that you do not lose marks unnecessarily.

• If you are unable to submit your assignment due to medical reasons, email your instructor immediately.
• Upon your return, submit your assignment and give your instructor a UTSC Medical Certificate, completed by your doctor.
• Be aware that doctor's notes are periodically verified.

• The following late penalties will be applied to each assignment, unless otherwise stated: up to 5 hours late - 10% penalty; up to 51 hours late - 25% penalty; after 51 hours late - zero on the assignment.

• If you need to have an assignment re-marked, you MUST fill out an assignment re-mark request form. You will find this form and instructions at the bottom of the Assignments web page.
• If an assignment re-mark form has not been completed, we reserve the right to not re-mark your assignment. If your request is more than 2 weeks after the assignment was returned, it will be rejected. In addition, assignment re-marks will not be discussed via email.

• Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism.
• All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers.
• The terms that apply to the University's use of the Turnitin.com service are described on the Turnitin.com web site.

• Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. In particular, if you have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please feel free to approach me and/or the AccessAbility Services office as soon as possible.
• The UTSC AccessAbility Services staff are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations (416) 287-7560 or ability@utsc.utoronto.ca.
• The sooner you let us know your needs, the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.

• The instructors can be contacted during their office hours and by e-mail.
• Given the large number of e-mail messages received on a regular basis, it is imperative that your message be kept short, clear, and concise, with "CSCA02" as part of your subject line. If you have not made an effort to make sure your message is clear, it will not be answered. If you are sending e-mail from an account other than your UTSC e-mail account, you must include your full name (as printed on your student ID card) and student number at the end of your message.
• If the answer to your question has already been discussed in the course, the instructor is not obligated to reply. Therefore, attending both lectures and tutorials is important. Be sure to check the CSCA02 intranet web site announcements frequently.
• The TAs are not responsible for responding to e-mail. They may only be contacted during their tutorials and office hours, unless they give you permission otherwise.
• E-mail is only answered two or three times per week; do not expect an immediate response, especially on the weekends and close to assignment deadlines. We reserve the right to ignore e-mail messages that do not conform to the rules listed above.