CSCI 162 (4) Topics in Computer Science An introduction to applied and theoretical concepts in computer science. Topics include fourth generation languages, computer organization, system software, software engineering principles, and theory of computation. (3:0:1) Prerequisite: min C- in CSCI 160.

Course Motivation
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to a wide spectrum of topics in computer science. Each of these topics represents a key area in the field, and most topics are the subject of specific upper level CSCI courses.

Course Overview
The lab and lecture content for the course will be a subset of the topics list below:

• Digital logic:
  • data representation (numbers, text)
  • boolean logic
  • digital circuit design
• Architectures and assembly language
  • basic architecture
  • execution cycles
  • machine code and assembly language (marie)
  • operating systems and shell programming (linux, bash)
• Programming languages:
  • history and evolution of languages
  • interpretted vs compiled high level languages
  • functional programming (lisp)
  • logic programming (prolog)
• Theory of computation
  • regular expressions and finite automata
  • church turing thesis
  • analysis of algorithms
• Additional topics (time permitting):
  • software engineering and systems analysis
  • networks and communication
  • human computer interaction
  • security and privacy issues

Contact information, materials

• Lecturer: Dave Wessels, 753-3245 ext 2436 (Nanaimo campus), David.Wessels@viu.ca
• Office hours: Bldg 315 Rm 222: Tue 11:30-12:30, Wed 11-12, Fri 10-11
  If you need to see me outside office hours please send me an email (David.Wessels@viu.ca) to arrange a suitable time.
  
• Textbook: None (see web material below)
• Web material: reference material, supplementary lecture notes, assignments, labs, sample programs, practice problems, etc, are accessible through http://csci.viu.ca/~wesselsd/courses/csci162/

Timetable and assessment

• Lecture times and locations:
  • Tue 1-2:30: Bldg 200, Rm 106
  • Fri 2:30-4: Bldg 200, Rm 237
• Lab times and locations:
  • Wed 10-11, 4-5: Bldg 315, Rm 102
• Assessment:
  • 36% Lab exercises
  • 24% In-class midterm (date TBA)
  • 40% Final exam (date/location TBA)

Labs

Each student is registered in one of the weekly lab sessions, and participation in the labs is required. The labs will typically consist of applying the lecture material to specific problems.

Computer accounts
To work on your labs/assignments, you will be given accounts for the computer science labs.
There is a user id and password associated with each account (to prevent others from reading your mail).
The appropriate use of these accounts will be discussed in your first tutorial.

Lab and Computer Usage Rules:
See http://www.viu.ca/computerscience/resources.asp#Lab_and_Computer_Usage_Rules

Appeals of Grades:
Any exercise or examination grade may be appealed. However, the appeal must be made to the instructor, in writing and attached to the work in question, and within 7 days of the grade being made available to the class. The instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire piece of work submitted on appeal, not necessarily just the component that the student believes is in error.

Grade Conversion:
The following scale will be used but the instructor reserves the right to lower the numerical score required for a particular letter grade if that seems appropriate, but the same conversion will be applied to all persons in the class. Under no circumstances will the numerical score required for a particular letter grade be raised.

90-100	85-<90	80-<85	76-<80	72-<76	68-<72	64-<68	60-<64	55-<60	50-<55	<50
A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F

Student Academic Code of Conduct (VIU policy 96.01)
All VIU students are required to familiarize themselves with, and adhere to, the Student Academic Code of Conduct

The official policies of Vancouver Island University can be viewed at www.viu.ca/policies