Lecture 1 Course Introduction CSCI – 1900 Mathematics for Computer Science Fall 2014 Bill Pine

CSCI 1900 Lecture Lecture Overview Course web site Handout and review syllabus General expectations Who am I?

CSCI 1900 Lecture Course Web Site I maintain a web site with links to pages for each course I teach Each course page contains –Lecture slides –Handouts –Exercises –Course Update Log Nota Bene: Course Artifacts Schedule

CSCI 1900 Lecture Course Syllabus Key Items Office hours –As posted on Web page and outside office door I try to always be present during posted hours I am in my office many additional hours –If the door is open or ajar Feel free to knock –If the door is closed I am either not in my office, or I do not wish to be disturbed

Initial Office Hours Office: Nicks 4 – 460 Scheduled office hours –Monday, Wednesday 8:00 – 9:00 12:30 – 2:30 Other hours by appointment CSCI 1900 Lecture 1 - 5

Use of Laptops The use of laptops or other electronic devices is prohibited during lectures The only exceptions shall be: –Students who need special accommodations and present to the instructor the appropriate documentation from ETSU Disability Services so stating CSCI 1900 Lecture 1 - 6

CSCI 1900 Lecture Course Text Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Seventh Edition –Kenneth Rosen –ISBN I do not lecture on all material assigned in text You are responsible for all material assigned

CSCI 1900 Lecture Grading Criteria Your final grade will be determined by –Tests 3 equally weighted – 60% –Daily Work (Quizzes and In-class assignments) 15% –Homework 15% –On-Your-Own (Individual Project) 10%

CSCI 1900 Lecture Attendance Attend all classes –My experience shows, particularly in CSCI 1900: Poor student attendance ≡ Poor student performance –Attendance policy is in effect Independent study of class lecture slides is a poor substitute for class attendance If you are absent, it is your responsibility –To submit any work due, prior to beginning of class –To determine what work was assigned –To study the material covered by the lecture

Attendance Policy You must attend at least two-thirds of a day’s scheduled class time to be considered present Repeated lateness or early departures may be counted as an absence at the instructor’s discretion CSCI 1900 Lecture Number of AbsencesPenalty < 3No penalty 3 – 4Decrement 1 letter grade level e.g. B - drops to C + 5 or moreDecrement 1 letter grade level for each additional absence

CSCI 1900 Lecture Tests Three tests –Test 1 given at approximately 5 weeks –Test 2 given at approximately 10 weeks –Test 3 is the comprehensive course final exam Missed tests cannot be made up without –Prior approval, or –Verifiable extenuating circumstances

CSCI 1900 Lecture Daily Work and Homework No makeup for missed daily work (in-class assignments / quizzes) Timed quizzes will be given at the beginning of Monday’s class period Homework is due the beginning of class on the assigned date –Late homework will be n o t be accepted, spare yourself the embarrassment of asking

Daily Work (continued) To somewhat ameliorate this seemingly draconian late-work policy –I will drop your lowest daily work grade and your lowest homework grade CSCI 1900 Lecture

CSCI 1900 Lecture On-Your-Own In-depth assignment designed to allow you to explore some of the concepts in greater depth Chose one from the list of topics provided –You may pick a topic not on the list, if it is approved by your instructor Due date: See Course Artifacts Schedule

Tracking Your Course Progress Most instructors do not react favorably to questions of the ilk “How am I doing in 1900?” To that end, I have placed an Excel Workbook on the course website Use it to maintain an up-to-date status of your grade in this course CSCI 1900 Lecture

CSCI 1900 Lecture Course Expectations You are expected to –Be on time –Be prepared –Be attentive in class –Participate in class discussions Most students do not find an easy course –To do well, you must be prepared to spend a minimum of 3 hours outside class for each hour in class

CSCI 1900 Lecture Academic Misconduct The student-teacher relationship is based on trust Unless specifically stated otherwise, all work must be your own I take the presence of your name on the submitted work as affirmation that the work is entirely your own Questions / Comments?

CSCI 1900 Lecture General Expectations I believe that –Each student is responsible for his own education –Actions have consequences I am always willing to help students who seek help In return, I expect that –You are current with all assignments –Read ahead of where I am lecturing

CSCI 1900 Lecture Class Behavior I will accord to you the respect due a fellow human being I expect the same from you toward me and your fellow classmates No –Heckling, –Snide remarks, –Put downs, –Pendiculation, or –Sleeping

CSCI 1900 Lecture Class Behavior (continued) Generally, I do not tolerate –Aside conversations among students –Habitual lateness Practice good manners –“Make Your Momma Proud” If you have a problem with the way in which I run the class –Come talk to me

CSCI 1900 Lecture Seeking Help If you are having a problem, –Seek help immediately –Don’t wait until you fall hopelessly behind Course material is cumulative Drop by my office, early in the semester –Before you are having a problem To locate my office To overcome your natural reluctance to visit the “Old Buzzard” in his “lair”

CSCI 1900 Lecture Asking Questions I encourage questions –When the question arises If you don’t understand something –A word –A concept –A calculation –A code snippet A S K !

CSCI 1900 Lecture Asking Questions (continued) Never assume that the material will become clearer with time If you don’t understand something, –Most likely another class member also is confused Any Questions / Comments?

CSCI 1900 Lecture Who Am I? Hearing problems Mannerisms Past experience

CSCI 1900 Lecture Who Are You? Usual approach not effective for me –As a student, I hated it –You don’t have time to organize your thoughts –I won’t remember much of what you tell me –I won’t have any record of your comments Instead, write me a Letter of Introduction –Follow direction on the Homework 1 Assignment Sheet

CSCI 1900 Lecture Final Thought What do you think is the single most important characteristic of a successful person?

CSCI 1900 Lecture Persistence Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. -- Calvin Coolidge

1 kilo-Word Equivalent CSCI 1900 Lecture

CSCI 1900 Lecture Questions or Comments?