CS 188SL Science Gateway Seminar
Course Syllabus
Spring 2016

COURSE DECSCRIPTION

This is the first course of a two-semester sequence, two credits each semester. Successful completion of the sequence will fulfill the student¿s First-Year Seminar requirement. Course content during the first semester will focus on understanding various facets of Computer Science (CS) and how it relates to our lives. Students will be introduced to different concepts of CS, read and discuss articles, and discuss important matters in written work and orally, and implement interesting projects in small groups. Students will become increasingly familiar with and experienced in scientific discourse, scientific methods and scientific communication.

COURSE GOALS

This Freshman Seminar Course, in the College of Science and Mathematics, is organized along a theme of inquiry-based learning for students and faculty. Each participant has a role in understanding topics that are prevalent in the scientific community along with developing new information that might form the basic science investments of the future. Students will be co-developers of this freshman seminar series that will be based primarily on inquiry-based science education. Desired outcomes will focus on students developing discovery skills, becoming self-driven learner, learning to work in groups, and being successful at the university. This course will maximize students¿ potential for success in the university and the scientific community. Grading will be based on class participation, written papers, and projects.

This course is an important component of the Freshman Success Community (FSC) program. Both the seminar and the FSC are new important initiatives that we are undertaking to enhance the experience and academic success of new freshmen entering the College of Science and Mathematics. As a participant in these initiatives you will have the opportunity to become much more familiar with your fellow students, your faculty, and the resources available to you at UMass Boston. Transition from high school to university is often a big challenge. These new initiatives will allow you to form a partnership, with us and with your fellow students, to help you succeed as university science majors. We want to help you to start thinking now about how to progress towards a timely graduation, and to prepare to achieve your post graduation goals.

We will focus on discussion of topics with broad societal impact that have important scientific underpinnings, Using this approach, you will become increasingly familiar with experienced in scientific discourse, scientific methods, and important new scientific findings. Using this scientific framework, the course will address all of the objectives of the UMass Boston First Year Seminar Program:

• Critical reading
• Critical thinking
• Clear writing
• Academic self-assessment
• Collaborative learning
• Information technology
• Oral presentation

METHODOLOGY

Instructor Lectures, Invited Leatures, and interactive problem solving.

APPRAISAL

Participation: 20% of the total
Assignments: 45% of the total
Oral Presentations: 35% of the total
 

GRADING

91+ = A; 89+ = A-;
87+ = B+; 83+ = B; 80+ = B-;
77+ = C+; 73+ = C; 70+ = C-;
67+ = D+; 63+ = D; 60+ = D-;
0+ = F;

READING

We will read from the recommended articles, various sources on the web, and slides that will be made available on the web site. The schedule for the readings are given on the schedule web page.

OTHER POLICIES

1. Homework:
   • Homework is due exactly at the prescribed time. No late homework is accepted.
   • Turn in the paper copy of a homework assignment in class and submit the softcopy of the assignment to your BlackBoard account (detailed instructions will be given with each homework assignment).
   • Any questions or complaints regarding the grading of an assignment or test must be raised within one week after the score or the graded assignment is made available (not when you pick it up).
2. Providing answers for any examination when not specifically authorized by the instructor to do so, or, informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given is considered cheating.
3. Penalty for cheating will be extremely severe. Use your best judgment. If you are not sure about certain activities, consult the instructor. Standard academic honesty procedure will be followed for cheating and active cheating automatically results F in the final grade. Please check University Policy on Academic Standards and Cheating for additional information.
4. You are expected to come fully prepared to every class.
5. No incomplete grade under nearly all situations.
6. There is no formal attendance policy. However, you are responsible for everything discussed in class. You may receive a zero for lack of participation.
7. Pay very careful attention to your email correspondence. It reflects on your communication skills. Avoid using non-standard English such as "how r u?" in your email message. In addition, I recommend you put the class number 188SL and a brief summary of your question in your email subject. For example,

   Subject: CS 188SL Request an Appointment

8. I immediately discard anonymous emails.
9. The ringing, beeping, buzzing of cell phones, watches, and/or pagers during class time is extremely rude and disruptive to your fellow students and to the class flow. Please turn off all cell phones, watches, and pagers prior to the start of class.

© Wei Ding, 2016, all rights reserved. This document is made available for use by the students of CS 188SL at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Copying, distribution or other use of this document without express permission of the author is forbidden. You may create links to pages in this web site, but may not copy all or part of the text without permission of the author.