Welcome

This is the home page of CGU's Information Technology course -- IS313. Over the past several years IS313 has been an introduction to computer programming geared toward graduate students studying information science. This fall it will be offered in conjunction with Harvey Mudd's introductory computer science course, CS 5.

Why IS 313 ?

The automatic processing and distribution of information -- the efforts of computers -- lie at the heart of information science. As a result, understanding how computers do what they do and how programmers interact with them is fundamental to every role in technology's expanding sphere of influence. Marketers, managers, strategic planners, administrators, and CEOs benefit from concrete and hands-on experience with the raw material of information science -- the computer program.

What is IS 313 ?

This course provides an introduction to this raw material, computer programming, by actively involving students in designing and writing programs. Class sessions will start with a presentation on an aspect of computer programming. The ideas discussed will then be put into practice with supervised, hands-on experience in writing computer code to solve problems. Weekly assignments extend this classroom experience and offer a chance to reflect on the skills learned.

Where do I go from here ?

After IS313, you will be prepared to continue to develop your programming skills through other courses. Alternatively, you may use this course as a capstone that will inform decisions about the role of computer programs and the art and science of computer programming as you pursue other areas of information science.

Details

Meeting Time    Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:50 pm

Meeting Place    Academic Computing Building (ACB) 205

Course Outline, Grading, etc.    syllabus available here

What's the connection with Harvey Mudd's programming course, CS 5 ?

I am offering this course in tandem with Harvey Mudd's introductory programming course, Computer Science 5. As a result, lots of the materials (the web-based descriptions, the homework assignments, example problems, etc.) may be labeled with the course name "CS 5" -- consider it an alias for IS 313. The advantage of this connection is the flexibility it provides you -- for example, if for some reason you can't make a Wednesday evening session, there are four other opportunities to attend the week's presentation and/or work on the week's programs in a setting where help is readily available. You should also feel welcome to attend any of the Harvey Mudd (HMC) sessions if you would simply like an additional chance to go over the material.

Further, because I am teaching at HMC through the semester, I will be available almost any time to discuss concerns or problems you may encounter. While my official office hours are F 9-12, I'm around all day on weekdays and a couple evenings a week (Sunday and Thursday almost for sure.) Drop me an email and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible with email help or we can set up a time to meet.

The course in a nutshell:
lecture slides, online text, and assignments