MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 420 COURSE SYLLABUS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 420
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Fall 2000
Course title: Special Problems

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 213A
Instructor office hours: To be announced.
Instructor office telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

An introduction to analyzing and designing solutions to business-related problems using a business programming language. Topics covered include Unix, HTML, Perl, CGI, and SQL. Prerequisite: CIS 104.

Textbook

Sams Teach Yourself Perl in 21 Days, Laura Lemay, 1999, Sams Publishing, ISBN: 0-672-31305-7.

Course Outline

1. The UNIX / Linux work environment
2. The Perl programming language
3. Systems administration and Perl
4. The HyperText Markup Language (HTML basics) and Perl
5. The Common Gateway Interface (CGI scripting) and Perl
6. The Structured Query Language (SQL database commands) and Perl
7. Building Internet-based business solutions using HTML, CGI, Perl, and SQL

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

Class schedule

TuTh 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
or
TuTh 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Equipment and supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. Presentation materials and other supplies may need to be purchased for your project. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes.

Grading scale and policy

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Quizzes are closed book and timed. You may use a single 8.5 x 11 inch note sheet. Neither early quizzes nor makeup quizzes will be given, however, your 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped to allow for any unavoidable or excused absences.

Homework assignments will be displayed on-line at http://coursenotebook.com. Follow the directions found at that location. Homework must be posted within the specified time frame or no credit will be given. Homework must be the student's own work.

The programming project is a substantial part of the student grade. Therefore, a very high quality product will be required. Grading will be based on the program design and implementation, level of difficulty, written documentation, oral presentation, organization, and overall level of quality.

The final exam will be comprehensive, closed book, and timed. You may use a single 8.5 x 11 inch note sheet.

Instructor's expectations

This course places an emphasis on out-of-class experimentation, research, and programming. You will need to go beyond the textbook and draw from the extensive resources available on the Internet. You will need to spend a large amount of time exploring the lecture topics covered in a hand-on environment, either on your own computer or in the computer lab.

Late assignment policy

No late assignments will be accepted.

Make-up exam policy

No make-up exam will be allowed without prior arrangements being made. A make-up exam must be taken when scheduled.

Methods of instruction

Material will be presented in lecture format. You are expected to read each assigned chapter prior to the lecture. Feel free to ask questions on any material you need clarified during the lecture.

Quiz and final examination schedule

Quiz 1-12 weekly starting the third week
Final Exam to be announced

Unique requirements of the course

This course requires previous programming experience. We will cover the basics of the Perl programming language very quickly. Considerable outside of class time will be required to complete the assignments.

COLLEGE POLICIES

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes the following actions, as well as other similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to the student's academic performance:

(1) cheating on an exam,
(2) collaborating with others on work to be presented, if contrary to the stated rules of the course,
(3) submitting, if contrary to the rules of the course, work previously submitted in another course,
(4) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions, including assistance in an arrangement whereby work, classroom performance, examination, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other that the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed,
(5) plagiarism.

Please refer to the Mansfield University Student Handbook for further information.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all courses and course activities for which they are registered. Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in the course.

Classroom Etiquette and Student Behavior Guidelines

Students will demonstrate respect for instructors and fellow students. Behavior that is disruptive to a positive learning environment reported by the instructor will result in a warning on the first instance; the second instance might result in expulsion from the course or campus.

Disability Support Services

Students with disabilities are advised, in compliance with federal and state laws, that accommodations and services are available through the office of Center of Services for Students with Disabilities. It is the student's responsibility to contact Disabled Student Services Advisors at this location and to submit appropriate documentation prior to receiving services.

Eating, Drinking and Smoking

Eating and drinking are not allowed in the classroom or laboratory areas. Smoking is not permitted in any College building.

Student Responsibility Policy

When a student attends the College, s/he becomes subject to its jurisdiction. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner, in all areas of campus life. By enrolling, they pledge to obey the rules and regulations of the College and are responsible for observing all College policies and procedures as published in the student handbook, the College catalog and other College publications. The student will be responsible for preparing for class, participating in class, and completing assignments on time.

Websites of Interest

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is October 27th. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE