CSC 121: Computers and Scientific Thinking

This course introduces students to science and scientific reasoning from a perspective that integrates computer science and the natural sciences. Students will gain a basic understanding of computer technology (its organization, history, societal impact, etc.) and how computers are used in various scientific disciplines. In particular, the use of the scientific method and the importance of computer modeling in scientific inquiry will be studied. Students will learn to develop simple Web-based programs for analyzing data and modeling systems and use those programs in conducting hands-on experiments. Applications in biology, physics, and data science will provide insights into how these disciplines approach problems and utilize computers and computer modeling as tools.

The specific goals of this course are:

To learn the fundamental concepts underlying computer technology and appreciate the computer's impact on science and society.
To understand and practice the scientific method as a technique for studying natural and artificial phenomena.
To develop problem-solving skills through the process of designing, implementing, and experimenting with Web-based computer programs.
To develop critical-thinking skills by conducting experiments and analyzing the data obtained by observing natural phenomena and also by simulating complex systems on a computer.
To experience the interdisciplinary nature of computing and appreciate how the different scientific disciplines approach problems and utilize computers as tools.

This course also meets the Designated Technology learning outcomes for the Magis Core:

Students will recognize that technology and the digitization of knowledge are powerful tools and will identify potential dangers concerning reliability, privacy, security, and/or equity.
Students will use computers and/or related technology effectively for three of the following: research/creative production, analysis, communication, or collaborative work as appropriate for their discipline.
Students will demonstrate effective use of AI tools in their area of study and/or future profession.
Students will analyze the ethical dimensions of AI use in their area of study and/or future profession.

Students are expected to attend classes in person. Given the size of the class, it is essential that students adhere to all Creighton community standards, including behaving in respectful manner and contributing to a positive learning environment. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior may result in removal from class. Laptops are required on workdays and encouraged in all class sessions.

If you must miss a class because of an emergency, you are expected to notify the instructor as soon as possible. If you are sick, contact the Student Health Education and Compliance Office (402-280-2735) immediately and follow their recommendations. Be aware that all class materials posted on Blueline, including assignments, quizzes, and discussions, are considered to be copyrighted and are intended to be used only by students enrolled in the class, for the purposes of fulfilling the course objectives. Recording lectures without permission or sharing any of these materials with others outside of the course will be considered "misuse of academic resources," as defined in the Creighton University Student Handbook.

Instructor office hours:
Mon & Wed	2:00-3:00	Hitchcock 209A
Tue & Thu	11:00-12:00	Mutual of Omaha Lounge
or by appointment
TA office hours:
Sun-Wed	7:00-8:00 pm	Hitchcock 205

Required Work

Class periods will consist of two types of activity, roughly organized along the following schedule.

Each Thursday session will be a lecture/discussion on a topic in computer science or technology. Students will be assigned a chapter from the book which they must read before the scheduled class period. A feedback survey, identifying concepts the student found interesting or confusing, is due 60 minutes before class. In-class discussion will focus on highlights from the chapter and answering student questions. A brief quiz on that chapter will be conducted at the end of class. To acknowledge that you might have an off day, the lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
Each Tuesday will be a hands-on learning activity. Students are expected to read the corresponding chapter from the book and complete (or attempt to complete) exercises to practice basic skills. A review of the chapter content and exercise solutions will be covered in class to address any issues or questions. For the remainder of the period, students will work on a project/lab that will be due the following week. Attendance will be taken and students who are absent or not working on-task will have a 5% penalty applied to their project grade for that week.

There will be two 60-minute tests and a cumulative 100-minute final exam. The final course grade will be based on the following weightings with minimum cutoffs of 93% for A, 90% for A-, 87% for B+, 83% for B, 80% for B-, and so on. Some shifting of grades, in an upward direction only, may occur as final letter grades are assigned.

10 chapter surveys	2 %
10 chapter quizzes	4 %
8 chapter projects	30 %
4 lab assignments	10 %
2 60-minute tests	30 %
100-minute final exam	24 %

Policy on Collaboration

In addition to the College of Arts & Science's policy on academic honesty, the following guidelines hold for this course.

For chapter projects and lab assignments, you are encouraged to talk with your classmates and assist each other in completing the projects. All answers and code submitted by you must be your own work, however. Thus, physically or electronically exchanging answers or copying text/code is expressly forbidden.
One of the goals of this course is to develop problem-solving skills using a manageable set of tools. For this reason, you are limited to the concepts and techniques covered in the book when completing projects. If you have learned additional HTML/JavaScript features on your own and would like to utilize them, you MUST speak with the instructor and receive approval BEFORE the project is submitted. Projects with non-course content that are not pre-approved will receive no credit.
All quizzes and tests are closed book, with no collaboration between students allowed. You must be present in class for quizzes and tests, which will be administered in Blueline using the Lockdown Browser.

Violations of these guidelines will be dealt with severely, with possible outcomes including a negative score or failure in the course.

Daily Schedule

Date	Topic	Hand-in
Aug 18 20	Course Overview C1: Computer Basics	C1 survey+quiz
25 27	X1: Development Basics C2: The World Wide Web	C2 survey+quiz
Sep 1 3	X2: Creating a Web Page C3: The Internet	Projects 1.AB&C C3 survey+quiz
8 10	X3: Styling a Page (Upload Info) C4: The History of Computers	Project 2.C C4 survey+quiz
15 17	Watch 1-10, Applications in AI, Lab 1 Review & Test Prep	Project 3.C&D
22 24	TEST 1 Test Debrief, Lab 2	Lab 1
29 Oct 1	X4: Making Pages Dynamic C5: Scientific & Computational Thinking	C5 survey+quiz, Lab 2
6 8	X5: Processing Text C6: Algorithms & Programming	Project 4.A&B C6 survey+quiz
13 15	FALL BREAK — NO CLASSES
20 22	X6: Processing Numbers C7: Computer Science as a Discipline	Projects 5.A&B C7 survey+quiz
27 29	Applications in Biology, Lab 3 Review & Test Prep	Projects 6.A&E
Nov 3 5	TEST 2 Test Debrief, Lab 4	Lab 3
10 12	X7: Utilizing Libraries C8: Inside Data	C8 survey+quiz, Lab 4
17 19	X8: Making Choices C9: Inside Multimedia	Projects 7.A&D C9 survey+quiz
24 26	X10: Software Models THANKSGIVING — NO CLASS
Dec 1 3	C11: Impacts of Computing Review & Test Prep	C11 survey+quiz Project 8E
8 11	SECTION 9 FINAL EXAM Tuesday (10:00-11:40) SECTION 5 FINAL EXAM Friday (8:00-9:40)

Creighton University may modify, suspend, or postpone any and all activities and services immediately and without notice because of force majeure causes beyond Creighton's control and occurring without its fault or negligence including, but not limited to, acts of God, fire, war, governmental action, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, weather, national emergencies, or other threats to the safety of students or staff. Creighton may, at its option, alter the academic schedule or provide alternate instruction modalities to meet course objectives and competencies and program outcomes, including, but not limited to, distance or remote learning, until such time as Creighton determines normal operations may resume safely.