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CSA 151 Computers, Computer Science, and Society (3 credits)

Catalog description:

Perspective on the potential and limitations of computing technology. Topics include problem-solving in computing, computers as thinking machines, and the impact of computing on societies. Exposes students to programming languages and various computer tools.

 Prerequisite: None

Course Objectives:

  • Develop an understanding of the field of computer science.
  • Understand binary representation of information.
  • Understand a model of computation and its implications.
  • Experience the use of computer programming tools to illustrate the power and flexibility of computer problem solving paradigms.
  • Develop a perspective on the potential of computing technology.
  • Discuss ethical issues relating to use of computers in society.
  • Understand the impact and relationship of computing on societies.

Miami Plan: MPF - Group V foundation course

Learning Outcomes

Below are the learning outcomes for this course.  Miami Plan foundation courses and thematic sequence courses address some or all of the Four Principles of Liberal Education: Thinking Critically, Understanding Contexts, Engaging with Other Learners, and Reflecting and Acting.  These principles are not simply additional "topics" that are covered during the course.  Rather, they are perspectives and ways of reasoning that are essential to all the content of the course.  Learning outcomes that address these principles are indicated in the table.   Liberal Education Principles (LEP) Key: T=Thinking Critically, U=Understanding Contexts, R=Reflecting and Acting

Learning Outcomes:

LEP

CSA 151.1: To have an appreciation for the history of computing
CSA 151.1.1.        The student can describe the key events and people in the history and development of the field of computer science

U

CSA 151.2: To have a working understanding of computing hardware
CSA 151.2.1.        The student can distinguish among components of typical computer hardware.
CSA 151.2.2.        The student can apply the rules for Boolean logical operators
CSA 151.2.3.        The student can distinguish between switches, gates, and circuits
CSA 151.2.4.        The student can combine gates to create simple circuits
CSA 151.2.5.        The student can explain the fetch-execute cycle for a single processor

T

CSA 151.3: To be able to apply computer languages and algorithms to solve problems
CSA 151.3.1.        The student can demonstrate the process of developing high level algorithms using pseudocode or flowcharts
CSA 151.3.2.        The student can design a web page that displays static information
CSA 151.3.3.        The student can create a web page that displays static information
CSA 151.3.4.        The student can use a high-level programming language to perform a basic task
CSA 151.3.5.        The student can work with other students to create web pages or a computer program

R

CSA 151.4: To be able to describe the implication of computer technology on society
CSA 151.4.1.        The student can describe the ethical issues relating to use of computers in society
CSA 151.4.2.        The student can describe the impact of computing on societies and different cultures
CSA 151.4.3.        The student can describe the different forms of intellectual property rights
CSA 151.4.4.        The student can use a scripting language to create a dynamic web pages.
CSA 151.4.5.        The student can use a simple assembly language to perform a basic task.
CSA 151.4.6.        The student can collaborate with other students to fully describe the implications of computer technology on society
CSA 151.4.7.        The student can describe current events related to computer technology

T,U,R

CSA 151.5: To be able to describe significant concepts in computer science relevant to modern society
CSA 151.5.1.        The student can describe the major concepts in some fields of computer science, such as, computer architecture, networks, database systems, encryption, game engines, operating systems, digital circuits, pattern recognition, speech recognition, virtual reality, and robotics

U

Required topics (approximate weeks allocated):

  • The discipline and history of computer science (1)
  • Technology and world views (.5)
    • the influence of technology on individual's and society's world view
  • Information representation (1-2)
    • binary and hexadecimal number systems
    • numbers, text
    • images, sound
  • Models of computation (3-4)
    • Boolean logic
    • machine architecture
    • Turing machine
  • Problem solving (4-5)
    • algorithms
    • computer programming - machine, assembly, high-level languages
    • program translation
  • The potential and limitations of machines (1-3)
    • artificial intelligence, speech recognition, virtual realities
    • emerging technologies
  • Ethics (1)
    • sets of ethical principles
    • application of ethics to computing technology
  • Impact of computers on society (1)
  • Exams/Review (1)