CISC 1100: Structures of Computer Science

General information

Faculty: Dr. A. G. Werschulz

Office: Rm 815D.

Phone: (212) 636-6325

Office Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to 1:00 pm, or by appointment.

Class meetings: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 1:00-4:00 p.m., in Room TBA.

Class email list: structures-cs STRUDEL dsm.fordham.edu (STRUDEL is a thinly-disguised @, to thwart the amount of spam that your instructor receives in his guise of list manager). This can be used for both announcements and discussion.

Text

Lyons et al., Fundamentals of Discrete Structures (Second Edition, 2012). This book has a (currently rudimentary) website. You'll probably be most interested in the errata sheet contained therein.

Catalog Description of Course

An introductory course in the discrete structures used in computer science and information technology. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to solve problems and develop logical thinking. Topics such as sets, functions, elementary combinatorics, discrete probability, logic, Boolean algebra, recursion and graphs will be covered through the use of algorithmic and concrete construction. The learned materials are reinforced by computer laboratory assignments. This course fulfills the mathematical reasoning requirement for Fordham's core curriculum.

Course Outline (Topical):

• Sequences and sets
• Logic
• Relations
• Functions
• Counting
• Probability
• Algorithms (time permitting)
• Graph theory (time permitting)

Protocol

Attendance

Learning is an interactive process that begins in the class room, continues at home, and picks up back in the classroom. Attendance is necessary to accomplish the objectives of this course. Over the summer this is of even greater importance, since there are only fifteen class meetings. You are limited to four excused absences. Additional absences or unexcused absences will result in a marked decrease in your final grade.

Examinations

• There will be one midterm examination, which will be held on Tuesday, June 13, during the regular class period.
• The final exam (which is on Thursday, June 29, during the regular class period) is somewhat cumulative:
  • You won't be able to answer questions about material appearing later in the course if you don't understand material that appeared earlier in the course.
  • I reserve the right to put questions involving this earlier part of the course on the final exam (especially if I felt that there was some topic from the first part of the course that people didn't understand).
  These examinations will focus solely on the mathematics portions of the course.

Homework

There will be homework assigned nearly every day, which will be posted on the class website. Homework will be due at the next class session. I will mightily endeavor to return the graded homework sets at the next class session after that one.

Computer Projects

We will be working on two large multi-part projects during the course. One will cover web development, and the other will be an introduction to computer programming.

No prior knowledge is expected but these are projects that you will need to spend time on outside of the class in addition to any in-class time that I provide. This requires that you have access to a computer and the Internet during these times. If you do not there are several places on campus that are suitable to complete this work. Please speak with me if you think there will be a problem.

Grading

• Participation: 10%
• Computer projects: 15%
• Homework: 15%
• Midterm exam: 30%
• Final exam: 30%

A student failing both exams cannot pass the course. Additionally, failing to complete computer projects by deadlines set by the instructor can and will cause a reduction to the individual's final grade.

Additional Remarks

• Feel free to download the class syllabus.
• Academic integrity policy
• Makeup exam policy
• You are not allowed to use computers during the class lectures; they may only be used during the lab sessions (when you will be using the Departmental computers in Room LL812 or the computers in our classroom). In addition, all phones must be turned off before the lecture begins.
• PDF "handout-style" versions of the overhead slides for the course will be made available.
• If you believe that you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. If so, please schedule an appointment to speak with me immediately or you may go to the Office of Disability Services (LL207, x6282). Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal access to the programs and activities of Fordham University.

Last modified: Tue Jan 31 13:20:12 2017