CSE 129 - SCIENCE, COMPUTING AND SOCIETY | ||||
SPRING 2018 | ||||
Instructor: Kathleen Devlin | ||||
Go to Lecture Schedule | ||||
Office Hours: | Before and after classes | |||
and by appointment | ||||
E-Mail: | kdevlin@csusb.edu | |||
Supplies Needed: | ||||
Text: | The Bit and the Pendulum | ***REQUIRED*** | ||
Tom Siegfried - ISBN 0-471-39974-4 Link for free book : ftp://pvictor.homeftp.net/public/Sci_Library/Phys%20Library/PPop_Popular-level/ Siegfried%20T.%20The%20bit%20and%20the%20pendulum..%20from%20quant um%20computing%20to%20M%20theory%20(Wiley,%202000)(289s).pdf |
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Course Pack: | Copy Plus, 1689 Kendall Drive, #C | ***REQUIRED*** | ||
Course Description | ||||
This course examines natural sciences and the use of computers and computer technology in the natural | ||||
sciences. The course also introduces ethical and social issues related to technology, including issues of | ||||
access, equity, privacy, the protection of children, and ownership of intellectual property. | ||||
A major goal of this course is the aid in understanding the tools and methods of the natural sciences, learning | ||||
some of the important results of scientific inquiry, and discussing some major consequences of science and | ||||
technology. To meet this goal, we will discuss the scientific method as applied within the natural sciences, | ||||
and explore the underlying philosophy of science, as well as the social and historical context of scientific | ||||
development. | ||||
Obviously, all of natural science is too broad a topic for any serious exploration in just one course; thus, we | ||||
will specialize on one area as a case-study that uses computer science and computer-based technology and | ||||
that illustrates important principles in the natural sciences. This one area is the underlying physics of the | ||||
concept of information, as well as the applications of information to fields such as biology. This field includes | ||||
basic concepts of fundamental computer science and the use of computer technology; most importantly, we | ||||
will be examining emerging computer technology that is now being developed in research laboratories. | ||||
The physics and biology of information and the relation of information to computer science, technology, and | ||||
human society is an evolving area of active research. The past outcomes of this work include all of modern | ||||
data communications networks; the future areas include all new modes of computation and understanding | ||||
of the natural world (which is the primary topic area of all of natural science). The level of this course | ||||
will not require any advanced mathematics, but will rely on descriptive concepts. | ||||
GRADING POLICY | GRADING SCALE | |||
TOTAL OF 225 POINTS AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS: | A 209 - 225 C 164 - 172 | |||
5 In-class Projects -5 points each | 25 10% | A- 203 - 208 C- 158 - 163 | ||
Midterm Examination | 100 45% | B+ 196 - 202 D+ 151 - 158 | ||
Final Examination | 100 45% | B 187 - 195 D 142 - 150 | ||
Totals | 225 100% | B- 180 - 186 D- 130 - 141 | ||
C+ 173 - 179 F <130 | ||||
Students are responsible for ALL announcements made in class. | ||||
Cheating is cause for dissmissal from University and an "F" in the course. | ||||
IF YOU ARE LATE TO AN EXAM YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THAT EXAM. | ||||
If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, | ||||
please contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183, (909)537-5238 | ||||
ESL STUDENTS REQUESTING USE OF A TRANSLATOR MAY ONLY USE AN ENGLISH/F.L. | ||||
DICTIONARY (BOOK) THAT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY ME PRIOR TO THE EXAM. | ||||
NO ELECTRONIC TRANSLATORS WILL BE ALLOWED. |