Course Description and Learning Objectives

This course will describe computer science as a field of study and as a major at Colorado State University. We will also address career exploration, research experience opportunities, and build a skill set of successful academic strategies. 

In this course we seek to help students:   

1. Achieve an understanding of the computer science major, its concentrations, and credit requirements.  
2. Appreciate the breadth of computer science as a field of study, as well as the breadth of applications and connections to other fields.  
3. Obtain familiarity with student success resources and tools available on campus. 
4. Be engaged with the computer science department at CSU.  
5. Reflect on how social, personal, and academic factors influence the adjustment to college life.  
6. Create a computer science graduation plan (degree plan). 
7. Apply student success skills and strategies to your college life. 

Student Expectations

Students are responsible for their academic pursuits. Students are responsible for all course material, requirements, and assessments. As a partner in the scholastic process, you are asked to consider your responsibility and behavior while attending class and completing your work for this course.  

It is the expectation that all students will:  

• Attend all class sessions. Arrive on time, having prepared for the session. In the rare case you need to come late to class or leave early, please do so respectfully. If you are ill, please alert the instructor in advance so that arrangements can be made. 
• Be respectful and engaged while presentations, discussions, and class processes take place during class hours.  
• Engage in class discussions and use courtesy. Creating a respectful educational atmosphere is all of our responsibility. Disparaging remarks in relation to others’ ethnic or racial background, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status/background etc. will not be tolerated.  
• Take note of due dates and complete each assignment for this course on time. If you cannot complete the required work by the due date, you need to discuss this with the instructor IN ADVANCE to make arrangements to turn in your work. Under extenuating circumstances, please contact the instructor.  
• The submission window takes into account most accommodations, as it will allow 3 days of extra time and we understand that everyone needs accommodations sometimes. No work will be accepted past three days after the assignments are due. 
• A total of 3 lowest assignment scores will be dropped, one from each assignment category except for the Degree Plan Assignments. The (one) lowest score from Tuesday Group Assignments, (one) lowest score from the Tuesday Participation-iClicker, and the (one) lowest score from Wed/Thur Class Assignments will be dropped.  
• Laptops are useful at certain times for this course and your instructor will alert you in advance so that you can plan to bring them. Laptops or access to Canvas will be needed to access Tuesday’s group work assignments. We ask that you only have your laptops out when needed for the assignment, and that they are put away during instruction time, unless needed for accessibility/accommodation. 
• Cell phones: students are expected to be professionally engaged in class and have your cell phones put away when not in use for iClicker or other course related activities, unless needed for accessibility/accommodation. If you are expecting an important call, please sit near the exit so that you can take it if necessary.  
• The course is designed to require two hours outside work for each contact hour in achieving the learning objectives through readings, assignments, projects or other activities. 

Use of Generative AI

Acceptable Uses of AI Tools (with instructor approval or for personal learning support): 

Unacceptable Uses of AI Tools: 

Grading

• Deadlines for assignments and coursework are listed on Canvas. 
• Tuesday Participation (iClicker) during class only (no late submission)
• Tuesday Group Work is due either in class, or, if not completed in class, will be due on the same Tuesday by 11:59 PM MT.  
• Wednesday/Thursday class assignments are due the Friday following class by 11:59 PM MT. 
• Late submissions, including accommodation, can be submitted up to 3 days after the deadline for full credit. No late work after these 3 days will be allowed. 
• Keep a copy of all work created for the course, including work submitted through Canvas course learning management system. 

The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus, and any changes will be communicated.